February 2012: Reality sets in…

On Wednesday, February 1, 2012, I was released from OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City and walked away a ‘free man’. I had been in the hospital for more than a week.

The sheer joy I felt as I walked through those sliding glass doors on the way to my mother’s car is absolutely indescribable. I kept thinking, “The nightmare is over.”

I was no longer sick — in fact, I felt better than I had in at least two months. I no longer had to wait for nurses to satisfy simple requests. There was no more waiting on news from doctors. I was in my element again. I was on my own and free to resume my independent life.

It may sound terribly cliche, but all I could really think about at the time was how much I was craving a greasy hamburger, huge order of french fries, and vanilla malt.

Winter 2011/2012: My life before HIV infection…

Where do I begin?

This is my first post on this blog, and I’m guessing it will end up being one of my longer ones. How do I set the stage for the emergence of a life-changing event without giving the full dish? I’ll try to keep it to the point for the sake of keeping your attention.

This post will also perhaps end up being one of the hardest for me to write… for a number of reasons. Not only am I reflecting back on the lifestyle, situations, and  circumstances that led up to my HIV infection, but I’m also teasing my heart with an innocent, carefree life loved and lost.

Grab a cup of hot tea and a Triscuit, sit back and relax, and we’ll get started.