I'm beyond words.

whisperingdragon
whisperingdragon Posts: 334
edited September 29 in Chit-Chat
My brother called me this evening to inform me that our cousin is HIV positve and has 2-3 years to live. He is in his 20's. I'm so shocked right now that I can't even get up from this chair.

Replies

  • risefromruin
    risefromruin Posts: 483 Member
    This is beyond sad :( So young.
  • joehempel
    joehempel Posts: 1,543 Member
    I'm very sorry to hear about that!!

    But...why the 2-3 year stamp?? There is so much treatment out there that people that have Hiv live for many many years!
    I was under the impression that things progressed more quickly when Hiv turns to Aids. But I am not very knowledgeable.

    Either way...sorry to hear, and good luck!
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    I'm so sorry. :(
  • risefromruin
    risefromruin Posts: 483 Member
    Yeah, that's true, I didn't think about that. People live for years with HIV these days. Are you sure it's not full blown AIDS? That's when you would have such a short lifespan...
  • Everstar
    Everstar Posts: 1
    God is the ultimate decider of when our last minute on earth will be, not a doctor.
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    I was thinking the same about the treatment, however he has no job and no insurance to cover it. My brother told me he has had it for about 9 years.

    I have to be honest, he has lived a dangerous life style and his parents have told him to be careful. He just never thought he would get it.

    Thank you to those who have replied.. He moved back in with his Mom so she can care for him till the end.
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    Yeah, that's true, I didn't think about that. People live for years with HIV these days. Are you sure it's not full blown AIDS? That's when you would have such a short lifespan...

    I honestly don't know. My brother told me HIV. And that our cousin has had it for about 9 years. He looks really skinny, and super pale. My brother saw him this past July 4th.
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    God is the ultimate decider of when our last minute on earth will be, not a doctor.

    I agree.
  • babs23
    babs23 Posts: 86
    Sad news, I'm so sorry. :( Honestly, I think the first thing your cousin should do is find a doctor who won't "stamp" him with an expiration date. There are a lot of treatment options. Once the shock of the diagnosis wears off, hopefully you can help him out.

    Best of luck to you and your family! <3
  • pauljsolie
    pauljsolie Posts: 1,024 Member
    You need to get online and find as much info on nutrition and HIV as possible. AIDS and HIV does not have to be the automatic death sentence that medicine would have you believe. Just as proper nutrition does wonders for weight loss, it can do the same for all types of illness. Remember AIDS is auto-immune deficiency syndrome. A compromised immune system can be strengthened through proper nutrition. I'm not a doctor but nutrition should be the FIRST place people look and they often disregard how powerful it can be.

    You're in my prayers.
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    Sad news, I'm so sorry. :( Honestly, I think the first thing your cousin should do is find a doctor who won't "stamp" him with an expiration date. There are a lot of treatment options. Once the shock of the diagnosis wears off, hopefully you can help him out.

    Best of luck to you and your family! <3

    Thank you very much.. :flowerforyou:
  • tattereds
    tattereds Posts: 120 Member
    :( That is awful news, hope you and your family are all holding up ok.

    Don't lose hope though - this doesn't have to be the short life sentence they have said. Might I suggestyou Google and read up on a man by the name of David Patient? He was diagnosed HIV+ in 1983 and given 6 months to live. He is alive and (fairly) well still today, and has become a motivational speaker who talks to groups about living healthier lives.

    *hugs*
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    You need to get online and find as much info on nutrition and HIV as possible. AIDS and HIV does not have to be the automatic death sentence that medicine would have you believe. Just as proper nutrition does wonders for weight loss, it can do the same for all types of illness. Remember AIDS is auto-immune deficiency syndrome. A compromised immune system can be strengthened through proper nutrition. I'm not a doctor but nutrition should be the FIRST place people look and they often disregard how powerful it can be.

    You're in my prayers.

    I agree with you Paul, thank you Very Very much. :flowerforyou:
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    :( That is awful news, hope you and your family are all holding up ok.

    Don't lose hope though - this doesn't have to be the short life sentence they have said. Might I suggestyou Google and read up on a man by the name of David Patient? He was diagnosed HIV+ in 1983 and given 6 months to live. He is alive and (fairly) well still today, and has become a motivational speaker who talks to groups about living healthier lives.

    *hugs*

    I will definitly look that information up. Thank you so much for it. :flowerforyou:
  • Thriceshy
    Thriceshy Posts: 708 Member
    I'm very sorry to hear about that!!

    But...why the 2-3 year stamp?? There is so much treatment out there that people that have Hiv live for many many years!
    I was under the impression that things progressed more quickly when Hiv turns to Aids. But I am not very knowledgeable.

    Either way...sorry to hear, and good luck!

    My thought, too. My sister has a friend who was diagnosed in 1988, and he is still alive and kicking. I have a friend who was diagnosed in 1991, and she's still doing quite well. I'm not saying not to worry or be sad, but don't count your cousin out yet--there may well be years--decades even--left to enjoy.

    Kris
  • pauljsolie
    pauljsolie Posts: 1,024 Member
    Look into the book by Dr. Raymond Francis, Never Be Sick Again. He has written on other subjects, Never Be Fat Again and Never Fear Cancer Again. He discusses alternative treatments and learning to live a toxin free life. Very interesting, it is worth a try.
  • lunglady
    lunglady Posts: 526 Member
    I'm very sorry to hear about that!!

    But...why the 2-3 year stamp?? There is so much treatment out there that people that have Hiv live for many many years!
    I was under the impression that things progressed more quickly when Hiv turns to Aids. But I am not very knowledgeable.

    Either way...sorry to hear, and good luck!

    I'm curious about this also.......
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    I really don't know. My brother's exact words were "Anthony has HIV, the doctor told him he has 2-3 years to live".. I don't know if my brother was told HIV or Aids per se'. He specifically told me HIV.. Maybe he thinks they are the same thing. I thought they were. I never educated myself on it.
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    Look into the book by Dr. Raymond Francis, Never Be Sick Again. He has written on other subjects, Never Be Fat Again and Never Fear Cancer Again. He discusses alternative treatments and learning to live a toxin free life. Very interesting, it is worth a try.

    I'm looking at it right now on Amazon.. "How you are in control of you're own health..".
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    I'm very sorry to hear about that!!

    But...why the 2-3 year stamp?? There is so much treatment out there that people that have Hiv live for many many years!
    I was under the impression that things progressed more quickly when Hiv turns to Aids. But I am not very knowledgeable.

    Either way...sorry to hear, and good luck!

    My thought, too. My sister has a friend who was diagnosed in 1988, and he is still alive and kicking. I have a friend who was diagnosed in 1991, and she's still doing quite well. I'm not saying not to worry or be sad, but don't count your cousin out yet--there may well be years--decades even--left to enjoy.

    Kris

    Thank you. That's good news to hear. I know times have changed.. hopefully he will be around much longer than what that doctor told him.
  • trishtrish84
    trishtrish84 Posts: 237 Member
    My bro in law was diagnosed as being HIV positive about 2 years ago. He didnt have a job and could not afford the medication either. When he told his doctor this his doctor told him about some sort of goverment program that he could qualify for that would pay for his medication. He had to go somewhere and fill out the paperwork and that was that... they payed for all of his medication and he is doing amazing. The only downfall is that during cold and flu season he has to avoid everyone like the plague because if he gets sick it takes him like 3 months to get over the common cold.

    The point to my post is....
    There are many options out there your cousin needs to speak up and ask questions and if need be seek another doctors opinion... dont just give up.
    I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
  • charmednz
    charmednz Posts: 49 Member
    I didnt think that an HIV diagnosis was a death sentence these days. Many people can have a long "normal" life but with a lot of medical intervention, however if HIV has progressed to AIDS thats a different story

    Be strong :) Kia Kaha
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    My bro in law was diagnosed as being HIV positive about 2 years ago. He didnt have a job and could not afford the medication either. When he told his doctor this his doctor told him about some sort of goverment program that he could qualify for that would pay for his medication. He had to go somewhere and fill out the paperwork and that was that... they payed for all of his medication and he is doing amazing. The only downfall is that during cold and flu season he has to avoid everyone like the plague because if he gets sick it takes him like 3 months to get over the common cold.

    The point to my post is....
    There are many options out there your cousin needs to speak up and ask questions and if need be seek another doctors opinion... dont just give up.
    I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

    Thank you so much and Thank you for this. I didn't know. I will pass this valuable information onto him ASAP. :flowerforyou:
  • whisperingdragon
    whisperingdragon Posts: 334
    I didnt think that an HIV diagnosis was a death sentence these days. Many people can have a long "normal" life but with a lot of medical intervention, however if HIV has progressed to AIDS thats a different story

    Be strong :) Kia Kaha

    I'm not sure what the exact details are as of yet. I need to find out. I haven't talked to him personally about this. I need too.

    Thank you for the positve reinforcement. See, it shows how ignorant I am when it comes to this disease. Again thank you..
  • boomboom011
    boomboom011 Posts: 1,459
    hospitals all over the place have programs set up for treatment for those without insurance. my cousins found out he was HIV positive when he was applying for the air force at 18. he is still alive and well. he has NO insurance and gets his meds free or at a low cost.
    it will not be easy but treatment is out there.

    I hope and pray your family member gets the treatment he needs. I know this news is shocking but people live a lot longer these days with treatment.
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