Dear NAYSAYERS & DENIALISTS

On 13 February, 2015, in Health and Wellness, HIV & AIDS FAQ, Resource, by Cindy Pivacic

Naysayers and Denialists are a pain in the nether region!

 

I am tired of having to justifying why I take my medication when you Mr/Mrs Denialist (mostly Misters) have not been through the process of HIV & AIDS.

 

Yes, I am sure there are ‘conspiracies’ out there but really at the end of the day it does not change the situation, HIV is here and 6, 4 million (that we know of and have tested) people in South Africa cannot just be ill  from some other unknown cause, having the same symptoms and all the ‘stuff’ that goes with that!

 

I also believe that a healthy diet and lifestyle can and will prolong the ordeal, which is NOT a train smash, of having to start ARV medication but please until such time as there is undeniable proof, bite your tongue and have some respect for the people that are dealing with their situation in the way they choose to.

 

To date I have no knowledge of anyone in my circle of HIV+ people who have died because they took the prescribed medication but rather the opposite, stopping or non-adherence. I know ARV’s have numerous chemical components, let me make my own decisions.

 

Do not for a minute think I have not read and researched options….I am the one diagnosed HIV+ so believe me, I have done my homework.

 

I get told that the DRUGS are making me ill. I say kiss my lily white…….!

 

Ask me first; ‘When did you acquire all the diseases attributed to AIDS?’ I will politely tell you that it was PRIOR to starting ARV’s and I have NOT been ill since 2009, diagnosed in 2004, started medication in 2008. I have not even had a cold, let alone flu.

 

So…….speak to individuals who have gone through the entire journey and survived to tell the tale, which is what I do, like it or not, that’s your choice.

 

PS I was always extremely healthy and fit prior to my diagnosis, explain that and don’t tell me it was from ‘natural’ causes as nobody is afflicted with Shingles, Pneumonia, TB Meningitis, two Strokes and Cancer namely, Angioimmunoblasticlymphadenopathy in a period of two years without some serious reason.

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‘THINK’ 36 Q & A’s on SoundCloud

On 11 February, 2015, in Book, HIV & AIDS FAQ, The Deadly Seducer, by Cindy Pivacic

If you don’t know the QUESTION, you ain’t going to know the ANSWER!

Contact me for the full audio version or a copy of the book.

email:    cindy@cindypivacic.co.za

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STUPID DR

A very concerning and unfortunate incident arose yesterday when a client contacted me.

 

This person had unknowingly been exposed to the HI virus in the middle of last year (2014), when an individual cut themselves badly and the client had an open wound at the time which was not well covered.

 

The infected person only informed my client when they, themselves, found out recently, so we are talking in the region of a six (6) month gap.

 

Prior to contacting me, he/she went to their GP who decided to test, rightly so, by doing the Elisa Test, which is by drawing blood rather than the Rapid Test which is a finger prick, returning a result in 10/20 min the Elisa was sent to a laboratory, results back late afternoon.

 

The Doctor decided in the interim, that as a safety precaution the client should commence taking the 30 day treatment of Prophylactics.

 

Th client obviously hit a panic and subsequently made contact with me.

 

Sadly the time-span had elapsed, as you only have a 72 hour period post exposure to potentially prevent yourself becoming infected.

 

I was horrified but ecstatic that someone had advised him/her to make contact with me as they were understandably in a state of panic.

 

After explaining, reassuring and sharing as much information as I could, it was now a matter of waiting……….

 

Dear Doctor…..how stupid can you be, this person is given false hope as you were either not paying attention to the time frame or  you are seriously careless, unacceptable!!

 

Fortunately a negative result came back, it’s one of the times you don’t want anyone to say “you are Positive’!

 

I made contact with the client and asked permission to share this incident as I believe there is still so much unknown and misinformation in the market place and when it comes from a ‘trusted source’ like a medical person, even more scary.

 

I have obviously kept the persons name and the area out of the post as it is a confidential matter.

 

I have however posted the comment he/she shared with me later today when I followed up. it reads as follows:

 

2/10/2015 16:32: Cindy Pivacic HIV: I hope you have recovered from your ordeal.

 

Client: ‘Thanks.. I am, it’s an experience that I will never forget.   I have a new understanding and respect for being “tested”. It’s an overwhelming experience. My body truly ached with the tension and waiting for my results was daunting.

 

The nurse that took my blood was great! She actually stopped and asked if I was ok…  she was really caring which calmed me a little.

 

 I know now that I truly don’t know enough. And I thought that I did. #embarrassed

 

Thanks again for your advice and support… u spoke sense and also what the next step was if I was positive and that life does go on and it can be done. U say it with confidence, and that’s what made me feel ok’.

 

2/10/2015 16:44: Cindy Pivacic HIV: So glad that you are in a better space, it’s not a pleasant experience at all and glad I could be of assistance. I am sure you will become a great advocate getting people to get counselled prior to testing 😉

 

Client: 2/10/2015 16:47: ‘THANKS. .. I definitely will. I will be passing it on where I work.

 

 

 

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  FOUR YEARS TODAY!!

On 22 January, 2015, in Health and Wellness, by Cindy Pivacic

Slide1

It was a scary step I took to go public with my HIV status on the 22 January 2011 and I haven’t looked back since.

 

Thanks to Charlotte Kemp from www.nichetraining.co.za and Shawn Fouche from http://socialmediasolutions.co.za as they ‘forced’ me to put myself out there and do something that was only a growing thought at the time.

 

What happened that day, after many stops and starts in the constructing of my website, www.cindypivacic.co.za was that I went around to Charlotte and finalised a few posts, closed my eyes and pressed the send button to go public. The amazing support and feedback that came my way from the get go was astounding and the backing has never dried up.

 

One of my decisions to go public was to provide access to others living with HIV; a place and person they could relate to in the same situation, enabling them to source/share information and receive support.

 

I am happy to say people have found me via many of the social media forums and I find myself in the fortunate position to assist by communicating reliable information to those infected and affected.

 

My health situation has been great for the last seven years having dealt with various acquired afflictions such as pneumonia, shingles, two strokes (2005 & 2006), TB Meningitis as well as Cancer, namely Angioimmunoblasticlymphadenopathy ;-).

 

I attribute my present good health partly to the fact that I disclosed my status, thus removing the burden of silence which leads to stress, leading to ill health. My Mother Lindsay Heydenrych (80 yrs) and on Facebook I might add, has been my greatest support over the years and for this, I thank you.

 

November 2014 I hit my 10 year anniversary of living with HIV & AIDS and am sure I will be around for a long time to come and know that there are no wrong questions……if you don’t know the question, you certainly won’t know the answer, ask!

 

Hopefully by doing what i am doing we will remove that dreaded word, ‘Stigma’ . Think before you use it and refer to the virus as a ‘chronic illness’ instead.

 

Let’s get the year going with this; Spread the word not the Virus

 

Thanks to ONE and ALL for your ongoing support

 

#TakeCareBeAware

 

Regards

 

#CindyHIV

 

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#Hashtag Radio interview 27th October 2014

On 28 October, 2014, in Gallery, Media, by Cindy Pivacic

#HASHTAG RADIO

Hashtag Radio 27th October 2014

A very well thought out and insightful interview with Leandre de Bruyn.

That is where the message needs to start…..the youth.

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