Tom Donohue's Journal

Well as many of you know, I recently went on a cruise with a dear friend of mine of over 7 years. In a livejournal entry (romanticcuddeler) on June 6, 2004 I wrote of my last trip to CA saying that I was scared about making a decision to move out there. Today, I can say, I’m no longer scared but excited to have made the decision to finally do it. As Dr. Phil says "Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you have to make your decision right." Either way I firmly believe this is the right decision that I have wanted for years. On top of it all… I’m in love – have been in love since I met him. Our cruise was just the right place and time to connect on a much different level than we have ever before. We spent nearly two weeks together, doing everything together. It was truly amazing and literally the best, no “THE BEST” time of my life.

Well, its official, Thursday I notified my boss of the intent to transfer out to CA – where? Well it’s still to be determined as it is dependent on where I can transfer. My boss has already made some calls to help get the process moving and seems supportive. Speaking of supportive – his family is amazing. They are so supportive! His Mom, who I’ve met before, seems to really care about me and knows how much I care about her son. Bobby’s brother seems to already have invited me into the family. He’s almost like my long lost brother who I think we’ll get along so well together. Both Bobby’s Mom and Brother I’ve met before and keep telling me to hurry up and get out there.

For now, Bobby and I keep in touch all the time. I’ve even got him to sign up for Facebook as he is anti-internet (it’s cute actually) and he signed up for Skype an internet video conferencing program. This allows us to hang out via a webcam – last night he even invited his friends to hang out with me on it too.

Although this process may take a few months I am totally ready for it. I’ve felt for a long time that CA would be the place I call home one day but more importantly calling it home with someone I fell in love with a long time ago was only a dream.
Some people may think we are crazy, we’re not. We’ve known each other a long time we’ve just never advanced it further – our friendship is strong and I would have an amazing support system there with his family. I am truly excited about this and can’t wait.
Cheers
Tom

RIP Kahlo Benavidez
1986 - 2009

Kahlo was the very first person Who's Positive invited on our National HIV Testing Tour - Operation Get Tested, we lost him last year, a year from today. Kahlo you are missed by everyone at Who's Positive.

Wow in less than a week (April 28th) I will turn 31 years old. It’s hard to think that I am this old, but I begin to think about when I began to realize I was an adult. Was it when I became a leader and not a follower the first time I had a babysitting job? Was it when I pumped my first tank of gas as a gas station attendant, maybe it was when I held my niece for the first time, Gosh the more I think about this the more I realize I've been growing up for quite some time.

Being HIV+ has made me think about the world a little bit differently. It’s made me better appreciate the small things in life, it’s given me an opportunity to look back on life and see what I've done in my life and what I still have left to do. Year 29 seems to be the year I grew up the most, it’s the year I became the most settled, year 30 was well - the year I turned 30 lol - nothing too outrageous, but I'm hopeful as I am each and every year, that maybe in year 31 I'll find someone to love - it’s this year’s birthday wish. Happy Birthday to me, and Happy "Birth" day Mom.

Seriously!

As of April 15, 2010 - 938 People in 10 states are on a waiting list to get vital lifesaving HIV/AIDS medications accordling to the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors.

Here is the breakdown of States who can't seem to find the funding to help:

Idaho: 26 individuals
Iowa: 69 individuals
Kentucky: 191 individuals
Montana: 17 individuals
North Carolina: 400 individuals
South Carolina: 48 individuals
South Dakota: 32 individuals
Tennessee: 61 individuals
Utah: 80 individuals
Wyoming: 14 individuals

Is this not redicilous!? As my friend Dab Garner - of Dab The AIDS Bear Project said, " We can bailout Wall Street, automakers, people who bought homes they couldn't afford BUT, people living with HIV are told they have to WAIT!"

Well, today was a good day. I found out that my CD4 was 600+ and viral load undectable. Great news! BUT... I found out that I have Latent Tuberculosis. Its an inactive form of Tuberculosis.
Many people who have latent tuberculosis never develop active TB. However, some people who have latent TB infection are more likely to develop active TB than others. These people are at high risk for active tuberculosis. They include:

•People with HIV infection - great! Thats Me! lol... it doesn't sound so bad, but its a little scary that it could turn into TB anytime. My doctors don't seem too concerned but they say we can deal with it at my next apt. Just that if I start to cough that I should let them know right away. Nothing like having that on your mind huh?

If anyone know any info or has thoughts feel free to let me know.

Goodnight.

Tom

PS, I emailed my mom to tell her, maybe she'll reach out to me. We'll see.