Episode 1 Chapter 3

My San Lazaro Experience

 I just want to share what happened this morning. I went to San Lazaro Hospital to get listed (as a new HIV patient) and schedule my first CD4 cell test. The good thing was, Sir John, who referred me to San Lazaro, gave me instructions on what’s the process and what to expect when I get there. 

He informed me to bring a mask and a photocopy of my confirmatory results so I have a personal copy on hand. I went to medical library where the new cases are listed and where we obtain the “code” (or they say your HIV alias) and the schedule of CD4 cell count.

At around 10:00 am, I finally got listed. The nurse took my vital signs and weight. Afterwards, she asked me to wait for my name to be called. In the waiting area, I saw different kinds of people. I then realized, I’m not alone. A lot of things came into my mind. How these people fight this disease and how do they survive? How these people live a normal life despite of knowing that anytime, the virus will attack and they'll get compromised.

Two hours later, my name was called. The nurse asked me to sit beside the doctors table. At that moment, I met Dr. Torres. I gave him my results and he started asking some questions. 

He asked my real full name and some confidential information for filing purposes. He also asked if I know something about CD4 and what it does in our body. Since I'm a nurse, I already have an idea what CD4 is. He was amazed and asked if I'm working in the medical field. I didn't tell him that I'm a nurse, I just said that I read everything about my condition.  Afterwards, he scheduled me on May 10, 2012 for CD4 count. He also gave me a code which is so hard to remember.

A week has passed and I went back to the hospital for my scheduled CD4 count. I woke up so early since Dr. Torres told me that the staff will only entertain people from 8am till 9am. I also have to work this morning which I decided to go on half day. I arrived at the hospital 15 mins before the schedule. I go directly to SACCL where the test will take place.

While waiting, I noticed one guy just beside me. He's a bit loud (I mean not too discrete gay) and he was with someone which I guess he just knew in the clinic. They were talking about their experience as a positive patient. Then, he started talking and asking me questions. He asked me if this is my first time to get tested for CD4 cell count. I said Yes. He also asked me when and how did I find out that I'm HIV positive. I just told him that I'm just a new patient and got tested last March. And then I asked him the same question. He then told me that he's also a new patient and got tested last April. He was in Dubai when he found out that he's HIV positive.

That guy named "Maui" also asked me to join Pinoy Plus, an organization consist of HIV positive patients, that gives counseling and advice to help HIV people live a normal life. He asked me if I'm interested to join but I said that I'm not ready to join any other organizations. 

It was around 9am when my name was called. The med tech who extracted my blood was a good one since she works fast. Now, I need to go back again after a week to get my results. I hope this time the result will turn out to be higher than normal so I won't take any ARV meds.