I remember the day I got diagnosed. After that day, my depression was at all-time high, but slowly, I started to do my own research, looked at what I should do next. Although I blamed myself a lot at first, I slowly started to forgive myself and my partner. It was after this that I decided to start my treatment.
It was the hardest decision for me to make. I was scared that I would be judged and felt embarrassed. I built up the courage to get over my fear and started with my treatment, even though at the time, I thought it was going to be the end for me. I went to a specialist and after telling them my story, they quickly decided to put me on a new type of treatment. At the time, I was worried. I didn’t know exactly what was in the drugs that I was taking, and because it was so new, there were some risks involved, but I decided to go ahead anyway.
For a while, I was taking life day-by-day, battling my depression and my disease. Eventually, I decided to get in touch with my spiritual side and it helped a little; it showed me how to be more positive about my life. I got into Buddhism and found focusing on positive quotes to be helpful. It gave me a new way to cope with some of the challenges in my life, including my battle with HIV and depression.
I think life has given me another chance. I now do what I can to inspire myself and others through these battles. For anyone out there who is affected with a disease, please love yourself and never give up.