I Contracted HIV

BanoraWhite · Dec 19, 2008

Allow yourself time to mourn, but realise yes, your life isnt over!

I KNOW you can be strong, and you have all of us here to help you whenever you need it !

Maybe in a few years time you can run a few seminars to help other nurses who have HIV ...when one door closes another opens and I bet already being a nurse, you would be a great person to help spread educate people.

kprnc58 · Dec 19, 2008

sarah,

I'm so sorry to hear of your dx. I've been a nurse for 30yrs. and you are living a nighmare that many nurses fear. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. TREATMENT for hiv has improved so much in recent years and I'm confident will continue to, so you will benifit from this and live a long productive life.

God bless

kprnc58

feliz3 · Dec 19, 2008

my last year as a nursing student, i pricked myself accidentally with a glucometer needle. this was after i took the guy's blood glucose with it. i checked his PMH in the chart for hiv or related conditions and there was nothing. i never reported this. I was embarassed for being so careless and wanted to hide this happened. but ever since it is something that worries me and keeps me up at night. i know i need to get tested. i am so afriad of the results. Sarah, you said you had multiple HIV tests, how many did it take to find out you were HIV positive?

Dear missmiamoore,

The sooner you find out that you are healthy the sooner you'll have peace of mind. Every which way you look at it you win for if you seroconvert, the sooner you are aware of it the better are your chances to get aggressive treatment. HIV is still a life threatening disease, but it is managed way better now that in the past because more than 25 years of research on this disease have shed a lot of light; and that fact has turn into patients living feeling healthier and carrying normal lives way longer than at the beggining when little information was known about HIV.

I am not saying that your case is similar to the person who started this thread. I am saying that you are better off doing what this courageous woman did: follow up on this important issue. Best, feliz3

feliz3 · Dec 19, 2008

So much good advice here, Sarah.
Right now, you are still in shock and mourning the life that you had
before you got stuck. You've been traumatized, and it will take
time to adjust to the new norm of being HIV+, but you will do it.
Go ahead and grieve, honey, it's normal. It is important to get
counseling and be supported through this hugh change, and it
is hugh. No one can deny that.
It is also true your life is not over, and your dreams do not have to die.
You are still you, Sarah, a loving woman who wants to be a mother.
I don't doubt that you will be. As has been pointed out here, there
are ways to accomplish this.
May you live long and prosper.

Dear indigo girl,

I want to thank you for your upbeat message to Sarah. I like your message to her because it is looking at this eventuality happening to Sarah in a realistic and meaningful way. IT IS NOT THE END for Sarah. Sarah is no less of a human being or a professional nurse as you so very cleverly put it to Sarah on your own beautiful words. I agree with every single word you told her. Thank you for doing it so kindly.

This is just a detour in her life. We all have experience losses, but we pick up ourselves and go on. I loved that you even gave information about the management of her disease. I'll get back to answer Sarah directly, but first I want to do some research. Best, feliz3

WalkieTalkie, RN · Dec 19, 2008

I came here to post because I've just felt very sad for the last few days. I graduated in May 2008 and started in the ER at a local hospital. In October I was trying to start an IV on a man who came in and accidently pricked myself! We started all the usual protocol for this type of event as soon as it happened. I continued to be tested, but this Tuesday I got a call from the doc to come in. I'm now HIV+. I know its not the end of the world with all the advance they've made and what not, but I'm still very sad...especially since I've always dreamed of being a mother to many children. This may also affect my work. I've been on approved leave since finding out. Just had to vent about this guys. Thanks.

I'm so sorry to hear this :crying2: If you don't mind me asking, what resources is the hospital giving you to cope with this? I've always wondered what would happen if this were me in this situation. Do they offer grief counseling and will they assist you in paying for HIV medications?

You are correct in all the advances that have been made. Keep your chin up, a good attitude helps maintain a good immune system. This isn't the end of the world, although I'm sure you're probably pretty down right now. You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers.

Ack_RN · Dec 19, 2008

I'm praying for you!

egclarke5 · Dec 19, 2008

Sarah,

I am very sorry to hear of your Dx. Did you get a second test done so you know for sure that it isn't a false positive? We all have ideas for you but best of all I hope we all have prayers for you, I do. Like someone already stated, you are a hero, being a nurse is not an easy job but you were there and did what you had to do. Do you have family close by? If you need anyone please post we are very concerned for you and we would do anything to help you out!!

Take one day at a time!! :saint:

Eileen Clarke

futurern28 · Dec 20, 2008

You are in my prayers:redbeathe

chevyv, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2008

I echo everyone here when I add that I am very sorry this happened to you.

I was sitting here having a pity party because of some stuff here at home and then I read this and realized that there is always someone struggling with something bigger.

Sarah,

Please remember that we are all here for you, whenever you need us, we will be here. You just go and do what you need to do (cry, scream, whatever) and when your ready, you come out fighting! You are so young, you have a long time to live!

mel236 · Dec 20, 2008

Sarah, I was recently stuck myself and have since been tested every couple months. I have my last test this month and am nervous about the results. I am currently a nursing student and wouldn't know what I would do if the test comes back positive. I am thinking of you and hope for the best for your future. There are many non-profit organizations out there to support you in getting back to a "normal" life as well as introducing you to alternative meds/treatments. Best wishes

trixieloohoo · Dec 20, 2008

Thank you for sharing this difficult situation with us. It reminds everyone who deals with patients that these accidents occur even when you are careful and take all of the necessary precautions. Like another poster noted, make sure the diagnosis is correct with follow-up tests. Hopefully you will be ok with treatment.

About 10 years ago, I was assisting with a surgery, double-gloved and the surgeon THREW the forcepts with a used needle he used to close still attached at the foot of the gurney, grazing my right hand. Beyond arrogant. I was horrified to see that the needle had pricked me and there was my own blood flowing. I went through hell worrying that I may have contracted HIV and/or HepC. The patient felt bad for me- as far as he knew he did not have these infections but we both still had to go through all the questions and tests. I was lucky in that I did not contract any diseases but felt extremely angry that this surgeon had the chutzpah to just toss around used surgical instruments. I know this happens and know of residents who have been injured but will not say anything when an attending does this for fear of retribution. Really sick.

Bpst486 · Dec 20, 2008

I am so sorry to hear of this. You are tough and can do anything! Take care.