Richard.DeWald@f70.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Richard DeWald) (08/19/90)
In a message of <14 Aug 90 15:16:08>, Tandika Star (1:308/0.4) writes:
TS>1. I was told that AZT makes the patient emotionally "grouchy/touchy".
TS>Is this true? If it is, does it affect all, most, some, or just those
TS>with a tendency to be a grinch to begin with?
There are other people who are more qualified to answer this question than I
here in the conference. I can never really tell myself, if you are sick
enough to be using AZT (until very recently, you had to be sick to get/afford
it), you are feeling BAD. That's plenty of reason to be grouchy as far as I
am concerned. Why use AZT to explain something that may have a simpler
explanation? Sick people are usually not a barrel of laughs.
TS>2. It is my understanding that some medical expenses will be covered by
TS>V.A. Can anyone tell me just WHAT is covered and how this covereage is
TS>determined?
I can't. We don't have a VA hospital in Austin, so I am totally out of touch
with this.
TS>3. Is any financial aid (to an individual) available through the Social
TS>Security Administration?
Again, someone else can be more accurate.
TS>4. Are there any Hospices for PWA's in Tucson, Az?
Do you have local gay/PWA organizations where you live? Ask them.
TS>5. What are "tactful" ways of handling the following emotionally
TS>charged comments and responses:
TS>
TS> a. "My god, what will my friends THINK. We have some very critical
TS>friends, you know."
"Critical friends" is an oxymoron (contradiction in terms) in this situation.
If they're critical of a seriously ill person, they aren't friends and they
are excess baggage now.
TS> b. "Well that's what he gets for being like that." (This isn't a
TS>direct quote, the wording was too crude for me to post here.)
How I respond to this common comment depends on the situation. It ranges from
"I wonder if it is as bad as what you get for being a bigot?" to "Virses do
not discriminate." to (these days) "Tell me, if this is God's retribution,
then why isn't Saddahm Hussein sick with a 106 degree fever these days?"
TS> c. "He's not still working in food service is he?"
"You're not still terribly uniformed about AIDS, are you?"
TS>loosing his business by not handling the situation properly? Third, to
TS>the best of my knowledge, and so far confirmed by what I've read, AIDS
TS>isn't spread by casual contact. I have read of cases of children with
That's the best of everyone's knowledge. I have contact with HIV+ people
almost every day. I am in much more risk to my health while in the car on the
way to and from.
TS> d. "You know, in the Bible it says that there will be pestilence on
TS>the earth in the end times."
The bible is a wonderful metaphorical spiritual text and the pestilence is
bigotry and hatred.
TS>(This was a really touchy one for me because I am not a christian, nor
TS>a 'follower' of the bible. However, I try to respect everyone's
TS>beliefs.)
Spiritual texts will be of some help to you now. Get a copy of the
Bahgavad-Gita, the Bible, the Koran, the Tao teh Ching, etc... and start to
look for advice. Just like the Prego spagetti sauce "It's in there."
TS>6. Are there any support groups in Tucson geared towards the PARENTS
TS>and relatives of PWA's?
There are in Austin. There is even a support group (I attend) for health care
workers that care for AIDS patients.
TS>7. I have read that in some cases funeral homes are refusing to deal
TS>with PWAs. Is this the case in Tucson? How can I find out?
Call and ask.
Richard DeWald, BSN Student
Univ. of TX - Austin.
--
Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!382!70!Richard.DeWald
Internet: Richard.DeWald@f70.n382.z1.fidonet.orgKen.Wilson@p34.f9.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Ken Wilson) (08/20/90)
questions as a person living with ARC...so these aren't textbook answers, but
what I have experienced or seen.
TS> 1. I was told that AZT makes the patient emotionally
TS> "grouchy/touchy". Is this true? If it is, does it affect all, most,
TS> some, or just those with a tendency to be a grinch to begin with?
I was told the same thing. In fact, I even went through it...tremendous
emotional swings. It started after I had been on AZT for about a month.
After about 3 weeks, I realized what was going on and the fact that the swings
were due to the AZT. Within 48 hours of accepting this, my mood swings were
gone.
TS> 2. It is my understanding that some medical expenses will be covered
TS> by V.A. Can anyone tell me just WHAT is covered and how this
TS> covereage is determined?
If you are a veteran, you can get all of your treatment & medication at VA.
As far as the rest of your questions go, I'm sure they will open up an array
of suggestions and/or comments. I find one of the hardest things is when
someone finds out that I have ARC, they immediately say "Oh, I'm sorry." AIDS
or ARC is nothing to be sorry about, in my opinion. I feel it is an "IS", a
fact, not an emotion. I also have problems with people who treat me as if I'm
going to lay over and die this afternoon...I plan on being around for quite
some time to come, so please no sympathy.
You asked some valid questions about services available in AZ. I suggest you
pick up the phone and make a few calls. You can start out with the national
AIDS hotline or check information in your area to see what services are
listed. Check with the local health department to see if they have an agency.
But what ever you do, be this for yourself or for a friend, hang in there and
remember to breathe.
--
Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!125!9.34!Ken.Wilson
Internet: Ken.Wilson@p34.f9.n125.z1.fidonet.orgWounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org (Wounded Bird) (08/20/90)
Hi, Tandika. I am a PWA and will try to answer some of your questions based on my experiences and on extensive readings. I'll just skip your questions that I cannot answer. >1. I was told that AZT makes the patient emotionally "grouchy/touchy". Is this >true? If it is, does it affect all, most, some, or just those with a tendency >to be a grinch to begin with? I have taken AZT since April 1989 and it has some very serious side effects but I am not aware of any psychological side effects. It is quite common for PWA's and anyone experiencing a terminal illness to become angry and frustrated as well as experience depression and despair. My doctor put me on Prozac (an anti depressant) a few months ago and it has been marvelous for controlling/limiting these mood swings. It has made the difference between existance and life enjoyment with me. It is only effective/tolerable for about 60% of people taking it but it is certainly worth trying. I can't say enough good things about it's effect on my life. >3. Is any financial aid (to an individual) available through the Social >Security Administration? Absolutely! Congress, thankfully added AIDS to a list of diseases/conditions that automatically imply disability. We no longer have to prove that our individual case is disabling. Assuming your brother has paid into the social security system, SSD payments begin 5 months after the date of disability - last day of work. SSI is available during the interim if you are indigent - do not have assets (cars, home, money, stocks cash value of life insurance, etc.) greater than $2000. The people at Social Security were very helpful to me and everything was handled expeditiously over the telephone and through the mail. Give them a call. It's very important to get the process going because medicare has a 2 year waiting period unless you qualify for SSI. >5. What are "tactful" ways of handling the following emotionally charged >comments and responses: I am tactful in kind- meaning that if the question/comment is sincere and considerate so is my response. Those comments you listed would not elicit a very tactful response from me. I don't have as much time as I once thought I had so my priorities are probably different than yours. I try to respond with factual, quotable material except when I'm feeling a little sassy and sarcastic. It depends on who I am talking to and how well I know them. On this echo my sarcasm is quite often just good therapy for *me* as it allows the safety valve to blow off steam. The book, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" by Kushner will help you develop ideas for responses to comments and beliefs inherrant in our judao/christian society. I found it very comforting. Tandika, respect your brother's wishes about who should be told and who shouldn't. I see no problem in telling him who already knows about his sexuality but this is a very personal problem. You might try to explain that he is being unfair to his mother by not allowing her to demonstrate her love and understanding but only you and he know whether she feels that way. With some people "things unsaid" and not confronted are a family necessity. As far as telling people about his AIDS, ask yourself is there any real reason that they should know the details of his personal medical status. -- Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!135!38!Wounded.Bird Internet: Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org
ARCANGEL%VUVAXCOM.BITNET@oac.ucla.edu (10/11/90)
What products are currently being marketed to help AIDS victims avoid contact with the virus? Cope once infected? ------------