June 27 was National HIV Testing Day and on that day and any other day that's about HIV/AIDS awareness, I preach about the need to get tested. I preach about the need for potential lovers to get tested together so that they begin on the same page. As part of the Get To Know Him Better Awareness Campaign, I preach that HIV testing is a major component in getting to know about someone with whom you are entertaining cultivating an intimate relationship.
Well, today I attended a Pride Festival. If you don't know what a Pride Festival is, it's an event that celebrates the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture. Although I am a woman that is strictly d**kly, I respect the viewpoints and lifestyles of others (judge not, lest ye be judged). With a forecast of scattered thunderstorms throughout the whole day, not one drop of rain fell on the festival grounds. It couldn't have been a more beautiful summer day for music, dancing, conversation, fellowship, contests and giveaways at every booth, and education.
And you know what? I saw maybe four police officers the entire six hours I was there. If heterosexuals could get together for an event with peace, love, and acceptance in their heart, it would truly be a beautiful world. I'm just saying.
Well, as soon as I entered the area, there was the city public health RV giving out free gift cards for taking a free HIV test.
Whoa!!! Just like I preach on Lady Intelligence Live, it's easy to get an HIV test - at the free clinic, at community events, at home, and/or through the city public health department.
However, getting an HIV test is a daunting task even if one is doubtful that they are infected. But there's nothing like knowing for sure.
So, after getting the blood test and then later an oral test, I am thankful that both tests were negative.
I can continue to preach. I've had the practice.
~~~
Got a Blood Pressure check too. Keeping it real with Simple Health and Wellness.
The Blog
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
National HIV Testing Day - June 27
The National HIV Testing Day may be over as this post is composed and published, but June 28 and thereafter is as good as any day to obtain an HIV Test.
As I mention on a continual basis on Lady Intelligence Live; in my book Big Girl Little Girl; on this platform, Lady Intelligence - The Blog; and as a part of the Get To Know Him Better Awareness Campaign; potential sexual partners should get tested together AND get the results together. That way both are on the same page. Although, it won't guarantee monogamy or the absence of future exposure, at least it's a step in knowing at that moment if that potential lover can affect someone with HIV - mainly YOU.
No longer does a person have to go to their doctor, a free clinic, or their local health department to get tested. A couple can take the test in privacy with an HIV Home Test (info from FDA.Gov).
There's no specific date to get tested. There are 365 days a year to do so.
More Info:
BlackDoctor.org Article Post -
A Couple Who Tests Together, Stays Together: 2 Doctors Break Down Love & HIV
As I mention on a continual basis on Lady Intelligence Live; in my book Big Girl Little Girl; on this platform, Lady Intelligence - The Blog; and as a part of the Get To Know Him Better Awareness Campaign; potential sexual partners should get tested together AND get the results together. That way both are on the same page. Although, it won't guarantee monogamy or the absence of future exposure, at least it's a step in knowing at that moment if that potential lover can affect someone with HIV - mainly YOU.
No longer does a person have to go to their doctor, a free clinic, or their local health department to get tested. A couple can take the test in privacy with an HIV Home Test (info from FDA.Gov).
There's no specific date to get tested. There are 365 days a year to do so.
More Info:
BlackDoctor.org Article Post -
A Couple Who Tests Together, Stays Together: 2 Doctors Break Down Love & HIV
Sunday, June 23, 2013
I Would Be Remiss Without Adding to the Simple Health and Wellness Broadcast Episode...
...that although I said during the broadcast that the nurse practitioner and the gynecologist saved my life, in all truth it was God that led me to a conscientious nurse practitioner I had never met (my gynecologist of 20 years was on leave at the time) to the sequence of medical examinations and treatments to uncover a usually silent condition that doesn't make a peep until it has progressed to a threatening and serious prognosis.
I must also add that the symptoms that led me to make an appointment were not on the classic symptom list. I didn't feel right. I felt something out of place. It wasn't painful. I actually thought it was the birth control device and that it possibly moved out of place.
Looking back to that season, I didn't speak much about the condition but only to a few people, i.e. three sisters in Christ at church; a cousin; a colleague/neighbor/friend who was my rock in helping me with transportation and household matters; a childhood friend who took care of my home while I was in the hospital; and my children so they would be up-to-date with their family medical history and not kept in the dark with what was going on with their mother.
In my telling, I shared only what was needed to be known. I meticulously kept any inkling of the treatment process from those I knew or felt would make it an interrogation opportunity. I vowed not to give life and presence to the doctor's diagnosis so that my energy, mind and soul would be consistently focused on nothing but having good health.
Every time the specialist asked me if there was anyone to whom he needed to speak, I told him no.
I went to each appointment by myself. But I was never alone. God was there the whole time.
Lady Intelligence Live Broadcast: Simple Health and Wellness
I must also add that the symptoms that led me to make an appointment were not on the classic symptom list. I didn't feel right. I felt something out of place. It wasn't painful. I actually thought it was the birth control device and that it possibly moved out of place.
Looking back to that season, I didn't speak much about the condition but only to a few people, i.e. three sisters in Christ at church; a cousin; a colleague/neighbor/friend who was my rock in helping me with transportation and household matters; a childhood friend who took care of my home while I was in the hospital; and my children so they would be up-to-date with their family medical history and not kept in the dark with what was going on with their mother.
In my telling, I shared only what was needed to be known. I meticulously kept any inkling of the treatment process from those I knew or felt would make it an interrogation opportunity. I vowed not to give life and presence to the doctor's diagnosis so that my energy, mind and soul would be consistently focused on nothing but having good health.
Every time the specialist asked me if there was anyone to whom he needed to speak, I told him no.
I went to each appointment by myself. But I was never alone. God was there the whole time.
Lady Intelligence Live Broadcast: Simple Health and Wellness
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