Can you get the test in a hospital or clinic in a city that is far enough
away but that wouldn't be too expensive to travel to?
Judy
2010/1/8 Chris Jones <[log in to unmask]>
> Some time ago, when I was working in the area, I said I understood the
> problems of gay men living in isolated rural areas when it came to
> living with HIV/AIDS.
>
> There are purple splotches growing over my right ankle and some spots
> are beginning to grow on my left ankle and foot. Having seen it before
> this looks like KS. While I can go to my doctor for narcotics and will
> happily admit I am opiate dependant, I cannot bring myself to ask for a
> HIV test. Even going to the local hospital would be too much, as I would
> know the nurse who takes my blood and send it off for a test. Even if it
> does not come back positive everyone in the town and local area will
> know I had a HIV test. Due to my chronic ill health, it is already
> suspected that I have AIDS.
>
> I will admit to having great and wild unsafe sex with an actor, around
> my own age. But still, locally, I cannot bring myself to ask for a HIV
> anti-body test. The purple splotches on my ankles continue to grow.
> Severe disabling muscle pain, disabling fatigue, I have seen this before
> in others. This is how I feel.
>
> And still I cannot bring myself to ask for the test. I would have
> married him if the time was right, the sex was that good, but this could
> not be. (The eldest of an old and respected grazier family cannot shack
> up with a male actor, at his whim. This is simply not done. Patrick
> White, how I envy you.)
>
> I said I understood the plight of gay men living in isolated rural areas
> with HIV/AIDS. How wrong was I. How wrong. And still I cannot ask for
> the test.
>
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