RESCUE YOURSELF FROM BEING IN DENIAL OF HIV STATUS

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).