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Blood Ritual
Jul. 8th, 2004 10:22 amThis morning I visited my physician to have blood drawn for various tests. Previously, my doctor had been monitoring my condition monthly, but he allowed for two months between my last set of tests and this one.
I remember getting a little anxious about the middle of June -- anxious that I didn't know how I was doing, meaning what my numbers were. Most of the time, I can't even remember my numbers and I try to take to heart the advice I hear from multiple sources: don't use your numbers as a mood-altering substance, so this anxiety was unexpected.
Today, I noticed that the doctor drew five vials of blood, which is a new record for me. He explained that there's a new test that is similar to the genotype and that he'd like to order it for me. The new test is only reliable if your viral load is over 1000, so he'll freeze that vial until we can determine if it's necessary. I reminded him that my last viral load two months ago stood at 575, so unless something's not working, he won't need that vial.
Now I have to wait another week to receive the results. One of the things that frightens people from getting regular HIV tests is the anxiety they provoke. Some people get tested and then never return for their results -- it's just too scary for them. Now I have to deal with that anxiety every one or two months.
I remember getting a little anxious about the middle of June -- anxious that I didn't know how I was doing, meaning what my numbers were. Most of the time, I can't even remember my numbers and I try to take to heart the advice I hear from multiple sources: don't use your numbers as a mood-altering substance, so this anxiety was unexpected.
Today, I noticed that the doctor drew five vials of blood, which is a new record for me. He explained that there's a new test that is similar to the genotype and that he'd like to order it for me. The new test is only reliable if your viral load is over 1000, so he'll freeze that vial until we can determine if it's necessary. I reminded him that my last viral load two months ago stood at 575, so unless something's not working, he won't need that vial.
Now I have to wait another week to receive the results. One of the things that frightens people from getting regular HIV tests is the anxiety they provoke. Some people get tested and then never return for their results -- it's just too scary for them. Now I have to deal with that anxiety every one or two months.
