Episode 1 Chapter 7

The Rainbow

I’ve come to the point that I almost died. I experienced the worst thing in my entire life. I was rushed to the hospital due to PCP. I had multiple OI’s and my body weight reduced by almost 26%. I said to myself that I won't be able to make it anymore and I'm ready to die soon. But because of the support given by my Dad, I was able to overcome these fears. I know that it's not yet my time and God still has plans for me.

After I was able to recover from Pneumonia, I immediately go back to my hub and requested to have my 2nd CD4 count. I asked my doctor to schedule it as soon as possible since I was a year delayed from my previous CD4 count. The doctor asked me why I didn't follow up after I had my first baseline count... I just told him that I'm busy at work. (excuses!lol)


When I got my results, my CD4 count dropped from 456 (May 2012) to 41 (October 2013). Just imagine how much it has dropped for just a span of 1 year. I wasn't really surprised at all and I'm already expecting to be that low.

So I talked to my dad and explained what happened. He was so supportive and told me to stop working and focus on my health first so I can fully recover. This was also the time I can take my ARVs. My 1st ARV cocktails were a combination of Lamivudine/Zidovudine Nevirapine. This is standard to all Poz who will take their first line of ARVs. But for me, it didn't worked. After a week of taking this drugs, I had severe allergies. So the doctor decided to change Nevirapine to Efavirenz. So up until now, this is my combination of ARVs.

After 6 months of taking ARVs, I was able to recover. I was able to do normal activities and was able to work again. I was able to  travel to different places again which I normally do when I was still a non-poz.

My life was like a rainbow, there's always a new beginning after the pain.