VIRUS UPDATE

I said I’d keep you posted. I have to say I was pretty depressed by the side-effects of the new meds last week. They reminded me too much of the past, the things you think you have let go of, but haven’t, the friends you lost, the afternoons spent crashed out before waking in a pool of sweat, the nausea that never leaves, and the era of complete panic and death that seared the consciousness of my gay generation. And then you pick yourself up and bloody well get on with it. And the truth is: I’m really lucky. The side effects have pretty much subsided within ten days. My body somehow found a balance again and my energy levels are back up. No nausea any more; no diarrhea; and only mild fatigue (which may well be related to the insane heat in DC this week). So I’m on the upswing. My many friends on the same or similar regimens say the worst is behind me. So off to the Cape on Friday. Can’t wait to see the bay and the ocean and all my Ptown friends. Thanks for your emails of support and suggestions. The only point of this is to put some sort of face on HIV, although I’m no longer a very typical HIV patient. Certainly, from a global perspective, my issues are petty beyond belief and I am grateful beyond words for that.