Dear Editor,
SIX years ago in August, I started feeling sick but you know before that for seven years, I would feel sick and sickness became part of me.
This time around, I couldn’t even drink water. Within a month I lost weight reaching to 37kg. I felt everything was falling apart for the first time in a long time. I had to sit with myself and stopped gambling with my life. I remember telling Dr Sinkala Vernon to do what he can to help me and that I will be a Good girl.
Having poor adherence for seven years, I realised if I was to die my death will be painful because I have to reach AIDS stage and my immunity would have been useless, realised death is never instant when you are diagnosed with HIV, realised I wasted a lot of time in denial: Seven years of my life I can’t bring back, realised how hard I was with myself, I realised I can be a good person towards my HIV positive life.
I told myself I will get better. My mind played a huge role in my recovery. Oh yah, people mocked me for becoming thin; well others were surprised how a healthy person became sick in a short time.
Within three months, I got myself back on my feet and I realised sometimes, it’s only you who can rescue yourself. Later that year, I came out publicly with my status because I know and still know that there is someone out there putting up a strong smiley face but can’t come to accept their HIV status..
Look, yes, taking ARVs everyday is not easy, however life can be more meaningful if you accept your status.
#IamU=U
#IamHIV+
PRECIOUS KANIKI.
(Courtesy of Zambia Reports).
