Today I realised life is something very special. It is beautiful gift we are each given to use as we wish, it dosen't come with an instruction manual and it isn't exactly an easy ride.

But tell me something.

Did you tell your loved ones how you feel about them today?

Did you kiss them before work?

Did you listen to your son or daughter when they told you about their day at school?

Did you pick up the telephone and call someone to put a silly argument behind you?

Do you appriciate each and every moment and treasure them all?

Life is extremely short and delicate almost like a small daisy. I remember making daisy chains when I was younger and putting them in my pocket only to find them broken when taking them back out my pocket.

I had some negative news today. I'm not really one to use the forum as something to let all my feelings out but today I shall.

I found out my Step-mum and Dad have HIV. We know my Step-mum will only last a few mere months and my Dad we are not quite sure about. This is very common in Thailand and I'm sure you have all heard stories similar to mine a thousand times. But I think I shall go insane if I don't get this out of my system.

I'm not asking for sympathy or anything but I'd just like you to listen because maybe this will save your life one day or help you to appriciate your life better than you did. My Step-mum didn't listen to her friends about protection it seems, and my Dad hasn't either.

I know the majority on this board sound like an intelligent bunch of people and you probably don't need telling and have heard enough stories but please just take this as a mental note and use some protection.

HIV has put a time limit on my Dad and Step-mum's lifes, can you imagine their regrets now? I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone on this forum or anyone anywhere.

Thankyou for reading this.

Ice - I'm sorry to hear the news. However having HIV these days isnt the end of the world - you certainly can live a healthy/productive life if you do the right things. (medical care/drugs)

My thoughts are with you, your dad and stepmum.

Ice - I'm sorry to hear the news. However having HIV these days isnt the end of the world - you certainly can live a healthy/productive life if you do the right things. (medical care/drugs)

My thoughts are with you, your dad and stepmum.

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Thankyou

I don't really have any knowledge on HIV to be honest. But It's something I can start to educate myself on I guess.

Thankyou 

I don't really have any knowledge on HIV to be honest. But It's something I can start to educate myself on I guess.

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as we chatted in MSN , no worries.. i will give u some useful info. as the brit bloke who claim the he had +ve but now -ve

and as i tell you ..people who get Hiv+ve can still alive for long ..(as 20 yrs)..just they try to take care themselves and alway check up

i love you

(oh my god , im crying)

Icey , I'm very saddened by your news , but as Brit has said, there has been leaps and bounds in the development areas and understanding of HIV in recent years. I was very very foolish and carefree as a young man , in 5 continents , I had a HIV test a few months ago after a year of soul searching , my wife ( Thai) also had a past , we both decided to take tests and were clear. But it does make you view things in a new light , those hours,days minutes waiting for the results are hel_l.

You need to be there for your Dad and Step-Mum , and I am sure you will be.

Ice:

I'm sorry about the news. But Brit has a good point. Use your intelligence to try and get some more information about what he has just told you. I think there are now cheap alternative drugs now available in Thailand.

By the way, I'm not one to let out personal details on the forum either. Let's just say, I've been in your situation already. Life throws you these curve balls, and you are never the same. But, you wouldn't be the same anyway.

As you said, it's like a delicate daisy chain. Daisies will either turn white and blow away with the wind, or die from someone else's infatuation with flowers.

Either way, it's a life lived. Thanks for your concerned words. Please take care.

Ice, very very sorry to hear this.There are some members on TV that have a huge amount of experience in these matters.I'm sure they will only too happy to PM you with thier knowledge.

chok dee

I would just like to say thankyou once again

At the moment I'm trying to be strong for my family and find out more information like you have advised me.

Just a little confused right now. But I'm signing out now to be with them because they need me more than ever now.

Edit - Some people can be quite mean can't they? My Grandad has just found out the news and the first thing he said was "Take your children away from the house they might catch it" he wasn't comforting in any way.

It still suprises me people are old fashioned and think you can catch it just by being in the presence of someone.

nowaday medical knowledge improve every second

and as i told u a bout the Brit Bloke who has Hiv-ve right now, docs are trying to do research about what is the condition makes him get -ve

as yes... example Face Graft ,(as FACE OFF) movie .. its happend at France right now

methinks we will know how to make a deal with HIV soon

jing jing

Ice - I'm sorry to hear the news. However having HIV these days isnt the end of the world - you certainly can live a healthy/productive life if you do the right things. (medical care/drugs)

My thoughts are with you, your dad and stepmum.

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Thankyou

I don't really have any knowledge on HIV to be honest. But It's something I can start to educate myself on I guess.

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Here's a start, Icey: http://www.thais4life.com/

There's a French doctor in Pattaya called Philippe Seur who's done lots of good work with HIV positive people there. Might be an idea to give Thais4life a call and ask if you can talk to him.

I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear of your bad news. Keep your chin up - your folks are going to need your strength

Hugs for you and your family Ice.

It is true that HIV + people can live a near to normal existence. A good friend of mine is HIV+ and so is her husband. She caught it from unprotected sex and he through a blood transfusion. They are both very healthy, very happy and proud parents of a new little boy. They are conscious of their health and live life to the fullest.

Thankyou for sharing and best of future health to your dad and step-mum.

So sorry to hear of your news Icey. I know that you are a strong character and your Dad and step-mum couldn't wish for anyone better to help support them.

My father died at the young age of 39, with Leukemia, this was 25 years ago. So i know what you are saying and how you are feeling. I have valued my own life, every day since. However, the Leukemia my father died from is now easily remedied and totally curable, that is testament to the advancements made in Medicine. So take note from the posters who have said that an healthy long life can still be had.

Take care and be strong XX

Edit - Some people can be quite mean can't they? My Grandad has just found out the news and the first thing he said was "Take your children away from the house they might catch it" he wasn't comforting in any way.

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Don't be too harsh on you're Grandad Icey, this disease was not about when he was young and he never had to deal with it or take precautions against it in the same way our generations have. This is no time to argue with anyone in the family or bear animosity towards them, I know its a stressful and angry time.

Educate yourself on HIV is the first thing you need to do, I think most people are surprised at how well people can live with HIV when they are armed with the correct information.

Thoughts are with you, best wishes

Edit - Some people can be quite mean can't they? My Grandad has just found out the news and the first thing he said was "Take your children away from the house they might catch it" he wasn't comforting in any way.

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Don't be too harsh on you're Grandad Icey, this disease was not about when he was young and he never had to deal with it or take precautions against it in the same way our generations have. This is no time to argue with anyone in the family or bear animosity towards them, I know its a stressful and angry time.

Educate yourself on HIV is the first thing you need to do, I think most people are surprised at how well people can live with HIV when they are armed with the correct information.

Thoughts are with you, best wishes

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Yank Basketball Player Magic Johnson is a good example. Think he's been alive/kicking for last 15yrs and he's healthier than most people. Granted he has the best medical care one can buy, but never the less i think if you get on a strict anti-viral meds its nearly undetectable these days.

Sorry to hear that Ice,

I really dont know what to say but I hope that everything goes as well as it can under the circumstances, My thoughts are with you and your family.

I'm truly sorry to hear the news of your dad and stepmums diagnosis.

My thoughts are with you.

Best wishes to you and your family Ice Maiden,

This is a tough time and you just have to make the future be one day at a time and make the most of each day. Every new day is a good day.

I'm lucky to be a leukemia survivor, in remission for 6 years now. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing, and there are many options available today. I hope you are able to find a medical solution to help.

Above all, keep up hope and keep positive. I can't claim to know much about HIV, but as with any affliction, the more healthy things that you can do, the better the body will respond.

Good diet, reasonable exercise if possible, visits to places or worship for spiritual strength, family support for personal strength .... all these things are keys to keeping as positive as possible and helping the body and mind to help itself.

Chok dee!!

Regards,

Spee

Thankyou everyone again.

You have been so helpful - all of you.

I've had a few drinks because my Dad wanted to get his mind off "it" I kind of feel better now really, I mean if he takes meds everyday it will help him.

The only thing thats upsetting is my Step-mum really, It's just the expression on her face. Her smile isn't the same anymore and she is hardly eating.

They had another blood test and they both do have HIV definately. My Dad, Step-mum and me are going to Bangkok to another better hospital to have a double check and for the better doctors.

Just trying to think positive, I love them both and putting on a happy look for them.

Had a little cry for a while and now I feel refreshed (not in a bad way!)

Phew - thats a bombshell. I'm shocked, and saddened for you.

I had an ex who got it and I had to tell her the news. It was the most awful moment of my life - worse for her no doubt.

That photo you sent me of StepMum in Hong Kong, she is just a tiny little lady isn't she.

Beyond that, there are some folk here who are very well informed about the meds. Hopefully they will participate, but right now you probably just want consoling.

Yes she is Moogy. Even smaller in the last few weeks, she has always been that build apparently though. Even seen photos of her in the younger years.

Thanks for your reply anyway

Your Dad has to make some hard decisions, even though he probably feels utterly blitzed right now, like you all do.

Back to the UK?

Well my Step-mum would like to go to the UK but my Dad is a little all over the place right now. So he isn't so sure on his choices.

Thanks for asking anyway

icey .... HIV is not infected that easily .. and people can live toghter with HIV +ve person ..

for HIV+ve .. u 'd try to do anything that make your parents less stress... when +ve stess ..immune drop then the will get a prob

hard to start i know HIV +ve people must be nervous and stress.. try to make em clam down and tell em ... thay still can alive for long as long as they want ..

just tell them accept the fate and make themselves happy ...when people happy , brian will secret Endorphine..from pituitary gland

and make immune improved

Thanks Bambi.

I listened to you earlier and when my Dad was getting stressed I was making him feel better by reassuring him he will be O.K so will his wife as long as they take meds.

Hi Icey.

Wow. Not exactly heart warming fuzzy thread here.

I'm sorry to hear the latest news.

I hope that you and your dad and step mum will not let this prohibit your family from doing what up til now seems to have been a driving joy (from what little I know of your family):

To live life to the fullest, and enjoy each moment as it passes you by.

My sincere best wishes and thoughts go out to you and your family during ths tragic time Icey. Britmaverick's example of Magic Johnson living this long can be of some reassurance if you can get your dad and step-mother the drugs.

In any case, you stay strong.

BM

Icey, I am very sorry to hear that news. Thats just devastating. My thoughts are with you and your family in this hard time. Best thing you can do for them is to read a lot and educate yourself on the latest HIV news. Learn about what can be done and what kind of treatments would be best for them. There has been leaps and bounds made in the field of treating HIV and like others have said, they can still live long, productive lives with the treatments of today. Help them out by educating yourself as to what can be done. Perhaps a move back to the UK would be a good idea as they might be able to get better treatment there but I am not sure about that.

I'm very sorry!

IM,

So sorry to hear this news; especially after watching some very tough World AIDS Day stuff on CNN. As is so often the case, ignorance is the biggest enemy.

You're a bright young woman; both sensible and sensitive. You've received some good advice here already and I'm confident you'll act upon it.

Stay with us, let us know how you feel and how you are doing and if any of us can help out in any way.

Very sincerely,

Mike

Sorry to hear the bad news Ice, as many posters have said, it doesnt mean the end though. Keep your chin up and be there for support and guidance. Do some research and forward it on to your family.

I dont know waht else to say to you - be strong!

I'm really sorry to hear that - when I first read your message I thought the text might be cut and paste from somewhere, but then I realized you were actually talking about your own life...

Everyone has already said so many wise things - for me, I guess if life ever taught me something, it is to never ever despair about things. If you just do the best you can, every new day, things will generally turn out a lot better than you think.

In this case, your father stands a very good chance of many many more years in his life if he makes the right decisions.

I lost my father to cancer quite recently, and as the reality of death does, it made me understand what is important in life - spending time with your family, showing that you love them, and making the time memorable. Be a support to your loved ones, and be sure that I, like many others here, are there to support you if you need us.

You'll pull through.