Hell froze over
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17385)
Canada
September 20, 2010 2:29am CST
I can't believe it! Something really impossible happened to me. Never in a million years have I thought that my life would be touched by AIDS. I know that the disease is out there somewhere, but I never thought that I would know anyone who would be affected by it. Recently, I've just been informed that a close friend is affected by the disease and is in fact dying. It's a complete shock! And very sad.
I don't want to be a judge of my friend's lifestyle, but my heart just goes out to him because I realize how alone he must feel. That he can't just let everybody know about his situation, because he doesn't want to be judged.
How about you? Do you know anybody affected by this deadly disease? Is it easy for you not to judge? How should I go about being a friend to him?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
20 Sep 10
If you were a good friend Before the news then man up and be the Same , Exact friend you were before.If he needs you Be There, period! Keep his secret if he needs you to. He is dying so you don't have the time to be selfish! If you Really like the guy , he is the same guy! The disease is taking his life , not his personality! But if you never That close , just stay away and keep his secret. I haven't had a friend have AIDS but if I did I would do Eaxctly what I'm telling , I'm not asking but Telling, you to do!
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
22 Sep 10
Thanks sarah, and I hear ya!
I will do just that. Nothing has to change in my relationship with my friend. I will be the same, and I will be nearby. I've been entrusted with a secret, and I will keep it.
You are so right that he is also the same friend that I have, it's only the disease that is taking his life.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
22 Sep 10
Bravo! Was I too harsh? I hope not! As usually , I'm here if you Ever need to talk. Supportive friends need support too! Send me a Private message Whenever you need to talk.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
19 Dec 10
Wow! Thanks for the best response. How is your friend? Send him my best.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
22 Sep 10
Lifestyles aside....it is a disease that anyone can get. I don't know anyone with it nor have I but I do understand that it is not isolated to one type of person or lifestyle. The bottom line is that your friend is still the same person that he was before he got the disease. If it were my friend I would be there for them in the same manner as I would if they had cancer or any other deadly illness. I might take precautions not to become exposed myself...blood or sores...but I wouldn't treat them any different as a person. I would take precautions if it were just the flu..you know what I mean?
I'm so sorry bounce. There are no words.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
27 Sep 10
Thanks Jen.
Yes you are right, there are no words. Or if there were, it's a bit difficult to say or express. So, I try just to be close by, and just be prepared if he needs something. I can't give much, just my support and presence in his difficult time.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
21 Sep 10
I am so sorry, this sucks. We always think that we're immortal, and that nothing like this will ever happen to us or the people around us. The best that you can really do is just be supportive, and be there for him when he needs you, and be a listening ear when he's ready to talk (not everyone is at first). Definitely don't pass judgement to your friend - this could happen to ANYONE regardless of their lifestyle.
I don't know anyone who is affected by AIDS, but I have had my share of family members with cancer, and a friend who was close to dying (because her liver didn't work - due to this disease she was born with), which is all pretty scary to believe, and almost surreal..
Being there for him as a friend is all that you can really do.
1 person likes this
@doormouse (4599)
•
20 Sep 10
you should treat him exactly the same as you did before,as long as you don't come into contact with his bodily fluids then there is no chance of contracting it yourself,even if you did come into contact with any the chances of you contracting it are slim,he is still the same person he just has an illness,if someone had a cough or cold you wouldn't treat them different would you,it's the same thing,,just be there for him if he needs you,coz at some point he will
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
22 Sep 10
I don't think you could contract the disease easy, so that isn't really a problem. Mostly, he just needs someone to talk to, and to know that people still care. It's a bit of a secret, so the few of us that have been entrusted with it try to honor it by not telling everybody.
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
20 Sep 10
Hi bounce58,
I am truly sorry to hear that you good friend had be affected by the dreadful disease, AIDS. To be diagnosed with it has to be very frightening, to say the least. Being diagnosed is the least of someones worry. Now the thought of dying has to be haunting. How long will the person live with AIDS? Some people live a long time, 10 or more years, some have less time.
I don't personally know anyone who has AIDS. Even if I did know someone with the disease, I would not judge them. We all have our faults, and some can hide theirs until they are publicized with a situation such as contracting AIDS. Not one of us have room to judge someone's life-style.
It is true that your friend has an uphill battle on his hands. He needs his friends and family to be loving and understanding, without being criticized about his life-style that led to his contracting AIDS.
Good Luck
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
20 Sep 10
I have known several people who have passed by this deadly disease. I currently know a dear friend, who is a mother who she is in later stages of this disease.
This one is really heart felt for me as she divorced her husband 12 years ago and she has started a new life with a wonderful man. It wasn't until 4 years ago that she was informed her ex-husband passed out aids and she now had to be tested. So she got tested and ugh... she has full blown aids. She was what she that married to a man who at first was wonderful and things went bad. Never in a zillion years would she know and or think she would have been exposed to this.
It is too sad to hear of anyone who is suffering and or perhaps passed of this deadly disease.
@melanierg (129)
• Philippines
20 Sep 10
you're doing good as a friend, there's nothing you can do but pray, he needs your prayer and just letting him know that you don't judge him and you understand what he's been through i guess that would be a big help already. :) you're a good person and continue on being one. :)
