Good, Better Best!

I'm so excited! I just got the latest blood results from Dr. Westrick this morning, and it's nothing but good news!

First of all, no indication of anemia, which means I get to keep my current meds. Last night, I was reminding myself that I can't expect to stay on the same regimen forever and that I'll have to grapple with a new one sooner or later, so I shouldn't become to attached to this one, even if it's easy to live with. Why set myself up for upset when that time comes by whining about it?

But this morning, Dr. Westrick told me that I can expect to stay with a working regimen for years, and this one is definitely working! He told me that any indications of anemia due to AZT are apparent rather quickly. The fluctuation in my last results had him concerned, but there doesn't seem to be any trouble.

Second, my viral load slipped below detectable again. Three months ago, it had risen to 121 from undetectable. This was good news!

But the best news is this: three months ago, my t-cell count was holding steady. It had actually slipped to 256 from 259, but that's not a significant change. This time, the t-cell count had jumped to 410, which is very significant!

Dr. Westrick called this "unexpected" and that my t-cells were now "crowding normal." As we talked, he said that usually patients will regain t-cells and then plateau at a certain level. Starting with 89 t-cells, I think he was expecting me to plateau at the 250 range, especially since my counts had been around there for six months. This jump is a happy surprise. :-)

Russell called as I was leaving the doctor's office and I gave him the good news. He was actually riding the bus up to see Dr. Westrick himself, so I met him at the bus stop and collected an enormous hug. He's taking me out for lunch to celebrate.

I resolved almost two years ago when I started treatment that I wasn't going to use my numbers as a mood-altering substance and I've held to that resolution rather well, but I think a 58% jump deserves a little celebration!

Weekend

I spent the weekend with Rob and Mike in Forest Glen, showing up on their doorstep Friday evening after a late start out of Baltimore.

I didn't see a lot of Rob, but spent much of the weekend with Mike. Unfortunately, he's wrestling with something flu-like that left him feverish and tired. He says he's past the worst of it and I hope he gets completely over it soon.

I had planned to see the DC Pride Parade Saturday evening, since I've lived in Baltimore since 1990 and I've never seen it, but Mike mustered enough energy to prepare a turkey dinner and it smelled so good in the oven that I decided the parade could wait until next year!

I did head downtown for the street festival on Sunday, arriving just about 11 am. Some of the booths were still setting up. I almost immediately happened upon legalmoose and lioncub and attached myself to them. Wandering around by myself isn't as much fun.

I stopped at the DC Radical Faeries booth, where I saw Topher and Eldritch from the Men's Gathering a couple of weeks ago. I got a tarot reading, had my aura fluffed and my crotch blessed. Hey, it can't hurt, right? ;-)

I also saw folks from CBE, DC Lambda Squares and the VA heart circle. Running into friends and acquaintances is the best part of Pride, unless you happen to get laid. I didn't get laid, despite the crotch blessing.

xavier78 joined us and the four of us had lunch at Teaism nearby. Richard recommended the salmon bento box, which was great. I wasn't expecting the salmon to be chilled, but it was perfect because yesterday was so hot. I also ordered a side of the Asian slaw, but I didn't like that so much.

I left about 3 pm to return to Forest Glen and pick up my bags, then head back into town to meet my train at Union Station at 5:20 pm. I wanted to be back in Baltimore in time for the HIV support group meeting there at 6 pm. I was just about five minutes late, but nobody else showed up. I waited for about twenty minutes, made a couple of calls, left a couple of messages, then went home.

I was complete wrung out by the day. I spent about four hours at the street festival, and the heat just did me in. I took a cold shower when I got home, then took a nap. Later, Russell and I went out to dinner.