I met a real interesting woman today in the AIDS outreach program, which
they've put as a part of Monica's wellness center. I never encouraged Stone
to take part of a support group, he never would've felt comfortable around people
he didn't already know. He already had the support of people all around him, I didn't
think it would do much good. I didn't understand what issues he could bring up.
But Donna saw read about me and Stone in an article Jon had written for their newsletter.
Though Jon didn't use our last names, he still told our story with such emotion that she
felt compelled to contact me. Donna just wanted to know what I'd been up to. That's the one
thing I've noticed with other positive people...they all want to support you, they want you to
make it. It's different from Uncle Mac or Brenda, other positive people know how scary this
virus is on a day-to-day basis.
Donna's been HIV for about eight years. Her husband died last year, apparently she was
infected by her husband Dick who passed away last summer. She never had a clue he was
having an affair on the side, or however he got infected, she doesn't dwell on it. She's
more concerned about her five-year old son Benjamin. The boy has constantly tested negitive,
she's sure the AZT she was on helped reduce passing along the virus, besides, she fortunatly
had a Caesarian, which she said reduced the chance of infection, though she didn't know she
was infected when she had him. Donna's worried about what might happen to Benjamin after
she dies (oh please don't let her!!) and all I can think of is what Emily's mother must've
been thinking when she was dying of cancer. Donnas never been sick and is even afraid to let
her landlord know she's HIV+.
Donna goes to a support group that is for HIV+ women only. She told about a lot of the issues
women have to deal with that usually are ignored. My health has to be monitored even more
than Stone's! When I told her I was scared to open up, Donna said she was too, at first, but
she thinks it would be good for me. She's pretty incerdible. I'll be attending my first
support group this Thrusday.
