First of all - Thank you to my Mom for posting a response to my first blog. While I am still not ready to tell everyone in the world that I am doing this blog or my status - I did share with my Mom and Sister the link so they could read along with whoever else. They are the most amazing support system in the world and like Jennifer commented - I am really lucky to have them. So Thank You.
Also, thank you to Tom for welcoming me to this project and allowing me to be a part of it.
I have been seeing an acupuncturist for a little over a month now to help with several things, one of which is my growing anxiety over my status. I am lucky to have great medical benefits because I work for the government (and not to be political but hopefully everyone will get those benefits soon!). Anyway, I was at my weekly appointment and the acupuncturist was removing the needles at the end of the session. Now in the past, I have noticed that when she removes the needles from my feet sometimes she goes and grabs a cotton ball and swabs with alcohol. I have always assumed that is because I had a dab of blood or something. No big deal - she is a well informed health practitioner and she isn't touching my blood. Well this week, she did the same thing but I noticed that she touched my foot before grabbing the alcohol swab. Then she turned up the lights (they are on a dimmer) and she then said "I have an awkward question to ask you..." I told her to go ahead and she said "Your foot was bleeding just a little when I removed the needle and I touched it...can I get HIV from that?" I paused...didn't know what to say...and she went on "It's not really me I am concerned about...it is just that I donate plasma" Oh wow...OK. I was like...well immediately go wash your hands - make sure you don't have any cuts on your hands and yeah...I think you are fine but I don't want to falsely reassure you. Then when she was done washing her hands she kind of said to me "I hope I didn't make you feel awkward...or like a leper." So anyway it was a strange feeling for me...because I didn't mind the question and I didn't mind that she needed reassurance but I did mind her then carrying on about it. I guess I am getting used to ALL my other doctors and health practitioners that are used to treating HIV positive patients, but I was actually refreshed to have a provider that wasn't so all HIV. You know, it made me feel sort of normal...until this visit. She is really kind and comforting most of the time, but this made me feel strange. I guess that is just part of being HIV positive is reassuring people and educating every where we go...
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