Personal stories
Our own “Lazarus” story
At the beginning of 2008, a young man was carried into my examination room, on the back of his father. He was unable to walk due to severe neuritis of both feet. His body was emaciated and signs of severe malnutrition were visible.
He was willing to be tested for HIV/AIDS and the test result was positive. While waiting for his CD4 count, I started him on Regime 1a (first line ARVs). I treated his neuritis aggressively, and sent him home with a food parcel. He had to return in 3 days’ time, for a follow-up neuritis treatment and the outcome of his CD4 count.
During the first month we saw him once a week for regular treatment, counselling, and general support.
Three months later this man walked into the surgery; he had gained 2 kg and was smiling broadly!
When I visited him at his home in January 2009, he came running to greet me in my car. This man had been virtually in the claws of death when the situation was turned around, thanks to the availability of ARVs.
My identity is not HIV!
These are the words of a young woman, whose experience went the full circle:
- She was diagnosed as being HIV positive when she fell pregnant.
- She remained on ARVs until her medical aid was discontinued when she reached the age of 18, and couldn’t be on her parent’s medical aid any longer.
- She stopped taking ARVs, as it was not available at the local primary health-care clinic at that time.
- She then developed resistance to the first line ARV regime.
- She developed pulmonary tuberculosis.
- After 6 months of anti TB treatment she was still not cured, and had to be admitted to hospital with possible XDR TB for one year.
- Currently she is on Regime 2 ARVs, cured of her pulmonary TB, and looking stunning.
“My identity is not HIV!” she says. “I am ME, a normal, young, vibrant Xhosa woman who loves life”.
She is willing to address groups of patients with HIV/AIDS, in order to motivate and encourage them to adhere to their ARV treatment for life.