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Post withdrawn

Photo of friends helping get a car unstuck.
Thank gawd for friends willing to help me get back on the road!

Several caring close friends and family have asked me to remove my last post, mostly out of their concern for my own health and well-being.  What good is having friends if I’m not willing to trust them to see what I apparently cannot?

The post is now gone, though I realize that it is probably still archived “out there” somewhere, and that’s fine.  I’m not ashamed of what I’ve exposed and I am willing to take responsibility for it.  Those of you who matter have let me know you don’t read my blog to watch a mud wrestling match.  Message received.

The trap I fell into was taking the bait and giving more attention to someone who wants only to hurt me and others.  For that, I apologize, and yes, I know better.  I was experiencing tunnel vision and needed some external eyes to help me get my focus back.  I’ve quit toxic drugs. Now I need to do a better job of avoiding toxic people, and that is now policy here once again.

What is more important to me is that I have a circle of supportive people who are concerned about my own health and well-being and who want me to focus my writing on the constructive ways we can all improve our health.  I needed that reminder.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and support.

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  • 97

    97. That’s my latest CD4+ count, less than half the count from six weeks ago.

    That’s it. I have tried as many alternative treatments as I can think of to reverse the decline. I will be starting my third round of pharmaceutical ARVs as soon as I can get a prescription and fill it.

    This decision has been a long time coming, and in hindsight, I probably should have restarted a few months ago. There’s nothing magical about 97, or being below 100, but it’s as good a breaking point as any. I’ve long argued that there are two things to keep in mind about CD4 counts: one is the long-term trend; the other is single- or low double-digit counts.

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