January 2011

All much fun but it was fab to have our space back again and focus on what is happening this spring. Already Tony has been out in his garden and working in the greenhouse planting seeds to coincide with the phases of the moon.

In general it seems like most people I know had a quiet festive season with it being for so many of us a time of reflection along with a celebration of those past and present.

I can’t help but think with all the changes to the NHS how it will affect my clinical care.

I received a call from my clinic in London to bring my appointment forward by one month which is quite a worry although I have not been aware of any health issues over and above what is already known.

It appears now that as my consultant, who has been caring for health now since 1996, I now qualify for extra care given my age. What a cheek I thought!! On reflection I am happy as what a great level of care we get as HIV positive people.

Now my heart and its functions are being monitored routinely.  Also apparently I am pretty good for my age! .... A tongue in cheek remark… But how true!

On a serious note, I have also been reflecting on how all of the old timers like me are very much under scrutiny with a view to understanding how HIV affects us with age and how do they identify our different needs.

The changes to the health care in the UK will not be known for a while but the clinic I use is undergoing significant change over the next few years in terms of frequency of appointments.

It also looks like they will be passing more responsibility to GPs along with physical changes to the clinic to adapt to the changing needs of the HIV community.

For me the support of THT over 15 years has been a lifeline and I feel passionately that we all must help to support the great work that they do and the others charities of its kind. I guess the role of volunteers will be even more crucial to the continuation of services which is in line with Government policy.

So, as the eternal optimist, I am looking forward to this year.

My life is well balanced and in my own view I feel well and plan to relish every year as my life continues with new meds.

This in conjunction with a ‘mindful’ outlook will give me an understanding of those around me and in the wider community.

One real challenge for me this year is to adapt to new technology given my restrictions due to sight loss. The more I discover the more I wish to learn! What happened to the hippy in me!

Like so many of my old friends we just take the world in our stride with a smile!

Until next month
Richard

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