Immunization

After ARV, my doctors now prescribe an immunization for me. A different kind of vaccines. Hepa B vaccine which will be having a 3 shots the 0-1-6 the Pneumococal for anti Pneumonia for one shot that lasts for five years, and a flu vaccine shots every year.


Scheduled of my 2nd month CBC and SGPT test, i go to RITM and got my blood extracted to find out if my hemoglobin is lowering due to ARV, if my SGPT or liver enzymes is rising because of ARV and Izoniasid.


I got also a one shot of vaccine for my 0 schedule. Then 2 shots after a month and last shot after 6 months. Then Booster nalang.


The Hepa B vaccine is for free at RITm but the Pneumo costs me 1500 and the flue costs 600. And theres another vaccine that i might to have, the meninggo and anti cancer vaccine.





"Loving God means keeping His commandments, and really, that isn't difficult."


                                                                                                           -- 1 John 5:3

Oh Gaining Weight

After i found out that im an HIV carrier, and one of the possible symptoms is te remarkable of loosing weight i decided to increase my weight, from the initial records of my at Makati med of 65kg after a month it became 68kg at ritm after a 2 weeks it became 69kg after a month i was 72kg and my last visit last month i was 75kg i dont know this month if what will be my weight mow. Everybody notices that i draggle gain weight. And that makes me happy and even healthy :)


"Keep on praying."

-- 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Go on in Life

As days, weeks and months passed by. Im getting ok. Everything is under control. Im ready to face the life of full of trials. I pursue my business, but still i want to work as an employee to practice what i've learned in school. I applied severals companies in our provinces. I dont want to get away from home again. I want to be always with my parents. But after several interview still i cant landed a good job. Im still afraid if theres a company which conducting an HIV screening. But i found out that according to the law of the Philippines nobody can initiate and of an HIV screening without a consent of the patients. So i tried again.


While waiting for the surprise in my life on my career breakthrough. I run my business as a sort of income.


And still waiting for the company to hired me.


I dont want to give all the burden to my sister who finances my medical needs. I want to get employed for a self support.


Go on in Life. I met some of the friends all the and keep me happy and strong. I attended some reunions and party to forget what i am going through. I attended Christian prayer meeting to ask for a divine help. I enjoy attending to that service, especially you meet different kind of people who believes in Jesus. After that service i feel relief,
I feel strong. And i feel blessed.


Thats how i run my life with a battle.






"Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you."


                                                                                                                --Proverbs 4:25

The side effect of ARV

After a week or two of doing the baseline tests, and thank God they are all negative. The doctor was then ready to give me my very first ARV. Plus the cotrimoxazol that is an anti bacteria capsule that can fight bacteria that coming into my body since my cd4 is very low. The capsule is too big, every time i try to drink it, im about to blow.


The cocktail that doctor was gave me were lamivi/zidovi+nevirapine. All these type of ARV has a sudden side effect depends on the reaction of the body. They are strong kind of ARV that strictly take on time and on scheduled. She explained that Lamivi/zidovi may cause anemia, or lowering of the red blood cells and/or hemoglobin. And the nevirapine is very high allergen medicine. She strictly inform me that i need to monitor my conditions from time to time. Since i was then on a trial period they gave just a 2 bottle for the two types of capsule good for 2 weeks, and will take once a day, if after two weeks nothing harm was happened another two weeks and additional 2 capsule at night.


The first day that i took arv, i got nausea, and i vomit the night 30 minutes after i took the med, i got panic cause i don't know if ill have to take again or if its enough, because they say that capsule or tablet medicine dissolve in stomach and absorb by body for the minimum of 3 hours, meaning the tablet that i just took was now on my vomit product, so i have to take another one just to make sure. 
I have my Thermometer wherever ill go and every after 30 minutes im checking up my body temperature as connotes that will ever i feel hot, ill have to run to the hospital, for first week my highest temperature that i got was then 36.9, and that was just one time. The rest were playing around 34-36.0 degree Celsius. I don't have any rushes and body aching. The only worst side effect that i felt that time was the nausea. I hate the feeling especially when im vomiting, all of the food that i ate that day will be thrown away. 
The next 2 weeks nothing serious side effect was took place. And my nausea was gone. I feel good and great. My nausea last for a week. And they took another sgot and sgpt for my liver. Because it its needed to find out if theres no harm effect on my liver because they just found out that ARV can increase to the damage of the liver. As i got my sgpt and sgot, they advice that i need to take the two capsule twice a day.since my hemoglobin is still high.




"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor sitteth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers." 



                                                                                                      --Psalms 1:1 (ASV)

My Positivism

After a months of grieving, self-pity, anxious, and asking God why i messed up? I totally moved on. Instead of understanding things with my own thoughts why i would not let God to do his will upon me?
I commit myself to the Lord, i attended Christian services even though im a Catholic, and read some Christian's book and of course the Holy Bible and that Help me a lot in moving on. Thought me of everything that i should learn and the things i wanna know. In that situation i learned that everything's happen for a reason, and the reason why this happen to me is the challenge for me to found out. I know theres a big plan that God created for me, and working in Other country is not part of His will. I accepted that peacefully, even though all through this years, i made myself a worthy of success, and my thinking of working overseas will be my success im wrong! God uses situation that i might hurt but in the end of the day theres a reason why!
Now, i begin to start all over! My thinking of working overseas was reformatted in my thoughts and heart. And the contentment of being loved by my family is there! I am contented to work here with my parents and siblings. Half of my siblings are on abroad, i should be here to take care of my parents. I know i cannot gain the salary that i should get when i work abroad, but what is important is that iam contented and at peace! And i am willing and able to follow God's will for me. My success is to accept Christ as my savior, not to be fame or to be rich. But to have a happy, loving and peaceful family in spite of what our we going through. Having true people and true friends surrounds me, thats my new appreciation of success.
And i started to accept the fact that it is hard for me to creat my own family because of my Bday Gift, but in fullness of hope im still praying, to have a wife and a children. But if thats never be happen, i accepted it full heatedly.
Anyway im living my life for Christ not for my self. But the main point of it all is that im at peace and contented. Sound cliche but thats the truth.
Now iam starting to find a new job that can practice my profession but will not compromised my health. And ill have to have the quality of life that i should have. With the support of everybody, I CAN. For with God all things is possible!





"All those who want to be my disciples must come and follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And if they follow me, the Father will honor them."


                                                                                                                ---John 12:26

ARV TREATMENT

After knowing that my cd4 cells are below normal i have to take ARV.


What is ARV? (Antiretrovirals) cant cure AIDS, ARV are jus anti retro, which means they stop or trying to stop the duplicating of Hiv within your blood, . HIV cannot make copy of itself because of ARV. So theres a possibility na bumagal ang progress ng HIV into Aids or not all. If such ARV was fit for you theres a chance na tumaas ang cd4 mo. If you loose weight then you will gain after ARV. In my case i didnt loose weigh. I gained instead since i found out that im a PLHIV. Rinessetahan ako ni doc ng ARV cocktail and they are Zidovidine + lamivudine. And efavirenz. But before i conduct in a treatment i met some counselor, sinabi nila na diko naman kelangan gumastos ng malaki para sa treatment ko. May free arv treatment daw ang DOH so i ask if where and there are three hub San Lazaro, PfH and RITM.


Aun dun ko napagdecide na since di naman ako ung gumagastos para sa helath ko i need to be practical. From then on nagpaalam ako sa doctor ko sa makati. Naiintindihan nya naman kung bakit ako lumipat ng hub. And sa RITM kelanan kong ulitin lahat ng baseline test ko before ARV. So panibagong gastos nanaman.
After a week at everyday ata nasa Alabang ako. My vital and baseline are all ok. Ang dami ko pa palang kulang na baseline before conducting ART. So negative naman lahat ng result. I dont have any Opportunistic Infection. Kaya aun nagstart nako mag ARV, pero ibang cocktail ang rineseta skin sa Ritm. They are Lamivi+Zivodi And Nevirapine. Sabi ng doctor this are the most effective an yet cheap ARV. Ang prob lang daw sa nevirapine ay maraming nagkaka allergy kya nagpapalit pa ng ibang cocktail. Then pinacounsel ako sa isang representative ng pafi, regarding sa pag undergo ng ART (antiretroviral therapy)
I was so afraid that time knowing na madaming side effect ang ARV. At mas nakaktakot saw ang side effect nito.
And kelangan daw ng matinding disiplina in taking of it. Kasi di pwedeng paiba iba ng oras. Strictly on time evryday.


So then, nag take nako binigyan nila ako ng tig isang bote ng 2 cocktail nasa trial period pa daw kasi ako and i have to monitor my body and the side effect. Baka daw di ako hiyang sa ARV na to.


Every then minomonitor ko ang side effect. And others effect.








"Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and i will be whiter than snow."



                                 --Psalm 51:7

My CD4 count and Viral Load.

After a week of waiting. Ayun nakuha kona ang viral load ko. And its quite worrying kasi nasa 600,000 ang viral load ko which is very bad. The next step is to know about my cd4 count, anyway, lets define viral load first.


What is viral load?
VIRAL LOAD is a blood test that measures the amount of active HIV in your blood. The higher the value of viral load test, the more active HIV is present. The quantitative HIV viral load ranges from 400 - 750,000 copies.


Scary no? Eh ung sakin 600,000 na, 150k nalang pwede nako mag bingo.


Then i got my cd4 panel result sa SACCL. The result is 69 :(
Anyway what is CD4 muna? And bakit eto important?


Cd4 cells - these cells have molecules called cd4 on its surface. These "helper" cells initiate the body's response to infections.
Normal values of cd4 cells ranges from 600- 1200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood. Less than 200 the immune system is severely weakened and the Hiv+ person is at much greater risk of opportunistic infection.
200-500 treatment is recommended.


So imagine? Cd4 cells ko 69 lang? So i got worried when i saw the result at dali dali ko pinuntahan doctor ko sa makatimed. And shocked din sya ng makita nya. And she said "this is impossible, your too young, and wala ka namang signs of opportunistic infection."
If doctor was shocked, what more about me? Haha ni hindi ako nagkasakit o simpleng sipon. So nakita din ni doc ung cbc ko. And they are all abnormal. Sabi nya pang chronic disease na tong result na to. At di daw sya naniniwala para makasiguro nag CBC ako sa makatimed at mismong araw na un nakuha ko result. And they are all normal, so baka ang cd4 ko mali din.


So she recommend na magpa cd4 panel ulit ako kasi sa iba na, so she recommend NKTI sa may kamuning they offer it much cheaper than MMC and st. Lukes. So aun nagpacd4 ako. After 2 days they emailed us the resukt, and it was 184.
But atleast nasa 3digits pa sya hehe. Then start nako rinesetahan ng ARV ni doc.




"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." 



                                                           --Psalm 46:1

Home remedies.

While waiting for the cd4 result, i search about home medication or herbal medicine na pwedeng makatulong sa paglakas ng immune system ko. Kahit na hindi naman talga humina at never akong nagkasakit. And i accept the fact na wala pa namang cure sa mismong HIV, kaya pagtutuunan ko ng pansin ay ang pagpapalakas ng aking immune system. So one of the herbal that made on the number one spot is the Virgin Coconut Oil, of all the herbal, VCO lang ang ginawan ng research study ng DOH. And they proven that it can help to raised CD4 level. But as the doctor says na di naniniwala sa mga herbal, ang VCO ay isang food supplement lamang at hindi ito nakakagamot. I asked Dra. Gler too about this, at wala daw siyang idea about this, kahit na doctor din ang nagsagawa ng research studied on VCO as anti-HIV.


Sa kakaresearch ko, madami akong mabasang mga testimonies na nagpapatunay na maganda ang epekto ng VCO sa katawan ng tao. Di man neti kayang tanggalin ang Virus sa katawan but atlis it can help to strengthen our immune system.


So I bought one bottle of VCO on the market, i bought the exported one, and on the label nakalagay na Anti-HIV, dahil daw ang VCO ay nagtataglay ng Lauric Acid. Ang L.Acid ay nakakatulong upang ang HIV strain ay mabreak sa 2 upang hindi na ito makapagmutate at tuluyang mamatay. Ganun daw ang process ng lauroc acid sa katawan.


So i tried, i drink one tablespoon every night. Plus a malunggay juice on the morning. Right then on, i gained weight and i feel so strong :)




"But now is the time to get.... clothed... with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you."



                                                                                                           --Colossians 3:8-10

Contact me here.

We can connect through here. :) if you have some question.


Twitter : virgopluss
Personal email : savior.jc@aol.com
Or just add comment any of the post.




"The Lords helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads."



                                                                                                      --Psalm 145:14

Iphone Apps's a big Help.

One way thing that i can get info about hiv is through my phone. Its easy and convenient and i dont have to spent so much reading on the net because they are already customized and summarized. I downloaded all the apps that is related to aids and HIV and other apps that is healthfully advisers.


At this time of my battle, ill have to take care of myself and everything. I should be very healthy and avoid those things that compromised my health and caused of lowering cd4 count.


One of the first apps that i downloaded is the 1. Aids Glossary, its very helpful, it will give you all the medical terms and their meaning. Because it is important that you know all the term that doctor has said to you. All terms about aids were could found in that Apps.


2. Everyday Health, this is also very helpful, it defines all the classes of infectious diseases plus the treatment. It has also everyday advices about everyday health, and medications in particular ill.


3. Food and Nutrition, in this apps, i can be able to know if what food and what vitamins is suited for my health condition. It also indicates what food is the best source of different kinds of vitamins.


4. Health Tips, from the title it self it gives health tips on how to live a healthy life. On what to avoid and what to practice. The Do's and Dont's in terms of taking care of your self.


5. Living Healthy, in this apps it teaches you the right and proper exercise on a certain condition. Plus ut gives you Fact, and based on research details on particular exercise routine. And it gives you advice on what to eat that compliments to the exercise routine that you choose of.


6. VitmaninPlus, this apps is all about vitamins and minerals. It gives you an idea of what vitamins are you needing of in a certain health condition and where can be found that vitamins or minerals. It also gives you knowledge if what illness that you can get in lack of a certain vitamins. And what nutrients or how a certain vitamins could help you.


7. Health Info, its all about health information. All kinds of health condition from head to toe. And all kinds of illnesses. It gives you the definition, idea on how did you get plus the treatment. Its a very helpful apps. Its just like a doctor that everything you ask for, it can provide.


8. Cures A-Z, form its title, it gives you knowledge on how to treat several kinds of illness from A-Z, this not only refers to the over-the-counter medicine but also Therapies and remedies at home. It also gives you an idea of the cause and root of a certain illness.


Actually theres a lot more apps available in the apps store that can help you. I deleted some apps that i already installed because my phone is getting full. But all apps can help you in knowing all thing about your health condition and on how to fight for it.






"Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing."



                                                                                                                        --Proverbs 12:18

My first Treatment Hub

After i talked to my sister, who will take care all of my hospital finances she asked me to go to St. Lukes Medical Center. Together with my mama and with my kuya. To ask for a second opinion if its true. But unfortunately no doctor specializing in infectious disease were on duty that time. On the same date we go to Makati Medical Center, and then i met Dra. T. Gler, specializing in infectious diseases. After i talked to her, i feel relieved. I got all the things that i need to know, shes so kind, and i feel very private when im at her clinic. So she explained to me everything, yes, everything. Then every other day i got to visit her clinic for a blood test. Another hIV screening. And a viral load panel. Then i have to wait for another two weeks for confirmatory result of my screening.


After two weeks i got my confirmatory. And boom! Positive. Got same result im not surprised anymore. Then she started my baseline tests. Such as viral load, cd4 panel and others.


Since MMC's cd4 panel is expensive she asked me to do it at NKTI in Quezon City. I contacted NKTI and they are expensive too. Someone suggested that San Lazaro Hospital offers it low because they are under DOH. At all risk. I went to SLH alone. And yes they are chip compare to the 2 hospitals. Ive seen other carrier at that time. I got scared because some if them were so sick. Since sabi ni Dra. Gler im probe to viruses and other complication natakot ako, baka mahawa ako sa mga malala nang may sakit. Ang tagal kong hinantay ang turn ko to extract my blood. There are so many patients kasi.


Then after 2 days i got all the baseline and cd4.





"O my people, trust in HIM at all times. Pour your heart to HIM for God is our refuge."



                                                                                                                --Psalm 62:8

The start of my battle with my Family.

When you are in a battle :
First step is knowing your opponent.


What is HIV?


Doctors use simple criteria for diagnosing a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection: A person has HIV if they have a detectable level of the virus on a blood test, or (with the exception of babies of HIV-positive mothers) a positive blood test for antibodies (infection-fighting proteins) against the virus. If you're infected with HIV, it's possible, but not certain, that you will eventually develop AIDS — acquired immune deficiency syndrome.


The criteria for diagnosing HIV is slightly different in newborn infants because HIV antibodies can be passed to the baby from the mother before or during birth, but the infant may not actually be infected with the virus. In such cases, the antibodies may be detected in a baby’s blood at birth, but there may be no evidence of antibodies by the time the baby is 12 to 18 months old.


In 2006, the most recent year for which statistics are available, an estimated 56,300 people in the United States were newly infected with HIV. Also, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2006, approximately 1,106,400 people in the United States were living with HIV infection, with 21 percent of those undiagnosed.


HIV: How Does It Affect the Body?


As HIV infection progresses, it weakens a person’s immune system. A person with HIV frequently will fall ill with diseases that a healthy person would be able to fend off.


HIV: How Is It Contracted?


The highest concentrations of HIV in the body are found in blood, semen, and vaginal secretions, so any contact with these bodily fluids from an infected person may be a route of transmission.


This includes heterosexual or same-sex contact with any of these fluids, as well as sharing of used needles.


HIV also is present in sweat, saliva, and tears, but in much lower concentrations. The CDC reports that it has never documented a case of HIV transmission through any of these routes.


HIV: What Are the Symptoms?


It is possible to live with HIV infection for years, even decades, without any significant symptoms of HIV infection, though some of the more frequently seen signs are weight loss, fever, or unexplained fatigue.


As HIV progresses, two factors generally indicate the severity of infection. The first is the number of cells produced by the body to fight HIV, called CD4+ T-cells, or simply “CD4 cells.” Lower counts indicate that the disease is gaining in severity.


The second factor is the presence of one of 26 so-called AIDS defining conditions, most of which are rare in a person who does not have HIV. Some of the more common AIDS-defining conditions are cryptococcosis (a fungal disease), tuberculosis, a type of pneumonia called pneumocystis pneumonia, and a type of skin cancer called Kaposi’s sarcoma.


How is HIV Different From AIDS?


HIV infection generally progresses through stages until a person reaches the final and most severe stage, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS.


But HIV infection does not always lead to the development of AIDS. Rather, the introduction of effective therapies for HIV infection (highly active antiretroviral therapies, or HAART) has disrupted the progression of HIV infection to AIDS, says Kali Lindsey, vice president of federal affairs for the National Association of Persons with AIDS (NAPWA), in Silver Spring, Md. It is increasingly possible for someone with HIV infection receiving HAART to live for many years without developing AIDS.


The success of HAART for HIV infection has helped de-stigmatize the disease, says Lindsey. Additionally, the CDC recently pushed for broader HIV testing in a move that may help even further to “normalize” HIV infection, so that it is regarded more as a manageable chronic disease rather than a death sentence. Lindsey and others who work with HIV/AIDS patients hope that this will encourage more people to seek early testing and treatment, a cornerstone of the HIV/AIDS awareness movement.


Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH






"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding."



                                                                                                --Proverbs 3:5

My life before and during!

Im Light, i was then 20 years old. Living normal with a good family background and surrounded by true friends. I was 20 when i was still clean blooded individual.


Iam self entrepreneur. I did not yet practice my profession as International Hospitality Management graduate. I was graduated in one of the premiere hospitality school in the Philippines


Honestly, im not active in sex. My sex life is so boring. I have my gf but we do not do sex. I just done it once with someone i really dont know when i broke up my gf. so i knew who was the one who infected me.


April 2011 i got my degree. I flew to singapore to push my luck, i applied several jobs even though i am a fresh graduate and has no chance to land a job in SG, i gave it a try. I applied to the most prestigious hotel located in SG. With a backer's help im in. So next problem was the MoM (Ministry of Manpower) if i can have my Spass (a permit whether i can work in SG) i waited for my pass to be approved for 3 months in that 3 months, we go traveling in neighboring country (south east asia) My life then was so perfect. Every week we go shopped and theater, for 3 months while waiting for my pass i lived like a rich boy.


3 months of waiting was finally over after conducting several exams and testing and so on so fort, my spass was approved. So the hotel gave me an instruction that i should be back to Philippines to have my POEA etc. so i flew back with the good news to my family who was always counting for my financial help.


I process my poea but one requirements is to have a medical exam. So i made it, i got examined and the worse. I am an HIV carrier :(


My world crashed. All my impossible dreams which were reachable were gone. I waited for the confirmatory for 2 weeks. Within that 2 weeks i never fail to pray, to ask one more chance and to let me work in SG for my family.


2 weeks was over, and yes it was my 21st Bday then. And exactly on that date i got my gift from God. I grieved cried and everything. I had even suicidal thought. On that day when i got my confirmatory, i told to my mom and the next morning to the whole family..
They did not forsaken me. They handed me a hand and letting me know that they are with me in this battle. I feel relieved. And thankful to God they accepted me and willing to take care of me.




"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous---and how well i know it."



                                                                                                            ---Psalm 139:14