nurseinalabama

I agree, I don't think I could live with myself if I thought I might be putting someone else life in jeopardy. This goes above and beyond ridiculous. But no, they are still having sex, and still playing with a loaded weapon in the meantime. Thanks for your input. Cyndi

My brother has agreed to undergo HIV testing, he had a blood workup yesterday, so now we have the fun waiting game. His girlfriend is still telling him that she doesn't know what the big deal is because it had to be a "fluke". And, they are still together and STILL having unprotected sex. I have stressed how important it is to be protected regardless unless he and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, but he says he doesn't "like the way they feel". See, that really irritates me, a person doesn't like the way a condom feels so lets not wear them and then maybe they won't get something. If they don't like them, they shouldn't be having sex. I will keep you posted on the results. Cyndi

One more thing, before he left in such a huff, he did take the literature that I printed off for him which included websites for information and phone numbers with support lines that he can contact someone confidentially and discuss this with. So, that was a step in the right direction. Cyndi

Okay here is the deal, we sat down had a nice long discussion regarding HIV/AIDS and careless sexual relations and I even got out statistics to show them. My brother asked me why I would be talking to them about things like this. I gave his girlfriend an opportunity, window, to speak up and when she refused I stated that she had said something to me today and I thought it was very important to the both of them to follow up on. She played it off like the whole thing was a great big fluke and that she was sure that the letter was a mistake. I asked her if she had gone to a physician to have further testing to verify the test results and she said no because she knew that the results were wrong in the first place. I told the girlfriend AND my brother that they owed it to themselves to have further testing especially if they are planning to have any type of life together. Also, I told them that they owed it to any other past partners to explain that there is a possibility that they may have been exposed to HIV and that the other partners should also be tested. I also explained that I was not trying to get into their business but that this would affect everyone including my brothers two beautiful daughters. Needless to say, my brother was very upset with me for try to "start something" and that I didn't know what I was talking about. All I could say after that was that I love my brother and I would always be there to support him regardless. Keep us in your prayers and thank you again for all the advice. Cyndi

Well, all did not go anywhere like I would hope that it would. He hung up the phone on me so, not to be outdone, I called him back begging that he at least listen to me and he agreed to come over so that we could sit down and discuss this. So, he should be here in about 15 minutes and his girlfriend is coming with him. Now my heart is pounding just knowing that I am about to make him have a true grown up talk about his recent and future health if he doesn't do something now and about her not taking the responsibility to be woman enough to tell him or any other partner about what she may or may not have. So now I am looking up information and have already found the national AIDS hotline number. Maybe they can give me some pointers on how to discuss this with him. Ya'll please keep me in your prayers that I can find the right words to say to make him listen and that he will listen and pay attention to what I have to say. Also, that I can find the strength to say what really needs to be said. Thank you so much. Cyndi

Your right, I think I am still trying to keep the confidentiality guidelines intact here. I will call right now and then let you know what I find out. Thank you so much for your kind advice. Cyndi

I agree that he should be told, and I did explain the severity of AIDS and HIV to her. I also explained that I would be happy to go with her to be retested and that it would be in her best interest to have this done. Also, I quite adamently insisted that she have a talk with my brother about this. I know there is a cocktail of drugs that can be taken at the early onset or suspicion that has a very good outlook. My problem is that after three months wouldn't it be more than likely that if lshe is POSITIVE for HIV that he will also? AIDS and HIV is something that I haven't dealt with in a patient. I don't know how he would react and he is the type to react first very stupidly and then think about the consequences. So as for speaking with him, please tell me how to go about that with someone who is already a ticking timebomb.

In our facility, which is also a LTC facility, the LPN's are the charge nurses and the RN's are just supervisors who do some paperwork and also mostly can't be found. We do the med passes, body audits, treatments, paper work, contact the doctors, do rounds with the docs, call in new orders and scripts, etc. Also alot of work. I was working anywhere from 50 up to and including 70 hours a week. Since there is not a law in Alabama that nurses can only work X amount of hours in a shift, we have to work until we are relieved. Needless to say, I start a new job a week from this Monday so that I might actually be able to have a chance to breathe. That is way too many hours and too many responsibilities without any help. We have on my floor 38 residents, one charge nurse LPN, one RN supervisor during the day and two CNA's. That's it. Sad to hear but it is the way it goes. The best advice that I can give you is that you either turn in your resignation or if you decide to up and quit, DON'T clock in. If your clocked in then you have legally accepted responsibility and can't leave until your relieved. Good luck hon.

i have a very touchy subject that i really need some help in dealing with. so, your advice is greatly appreciated. my brother is living with and having sexual relations with a woman he met and moved in with about three months ago. the problem is that this woman made a comment to me today that she doesn't care for blood donor centers. after much persuasion, she explained that she had received positive hiv results approximately 5 years ago. i asked if she had further tests and she stated, "no, they are full of it and just trying to get my money". i don't know if she has ever discussed this with my brother and i know that it is not going to go over really well if this comes from me. worst part of all this, the sexual relations are unprotected and anal sex is a major part of their relations. any suggestions? this has been going on for three months. help!!!!