My best local male friend just told me he was dying from AIDS

I'm a bit out of it
(no sex w me))

What about treatment?

I'm sorry to hear that. It's really sad.

I'm really sorry to hear that. Damn...

How long does he have?

At least he has a good friend (you) to lean on/confide in.

All the best,

av8rdave

hopefully he has access to some of the medications that have slowed the development of the condition.

My heart goes out to him, and to all whose lives he has touched (esp you Keph.)

I've been there a few times with my friends. It's so hard, for them and for you. If there's no hope for a turnaround, then just love him. That's all...just care for him with love.

....that is beyond sad news...my heart goes out to you and your friend.:pals:

I'm so, so sorry to hear this. Stay strong. :hug:

I have quite a few gay friends...I hate to say it but I do worry for them.

Or has his immune system already deteriorated that severely? I have a friend who has been positive for well over 20 years. I really wish your friend well. It can be hellacious and extremely painful to help a friend die.

I am so sorry...this is so hard--

Thinking of you,

Stephanie

I've been told this way too many times... Lost too many friends... Goddamn disease pisses me off...

Best advice I can offer... Be his friend, listen to him, tell him things you need to tell him, cry with him, get mad with him, hold him.

And, make sure you have a friend you can do the same with to help you through it.

My heart and thoughts are with you...

Your friend can live many years with good medication
and caring for himself well.

Life is short anyway you look at it, make the best of the
time you have, live in love and make life beautiful.

AIDS?

AIDS is not a guaranteed death sentence these days. He is living with it, I hope. Sorry to hear this Keph; I'm sure you will do what you can to support him.

That is very sad, I am sure he needs your friendship now more than ever.

:loveya:

It was exactly one year ago today that I started helping my brother to die from AIDS. If your friend has not waited too long get him to go to the doctor now and get his viral load checked and type this sucker. My brothers viral load was very high but his virus was virgin. We got the AIDS under control very quickly but he already had advanced AIDS related lymphoma so after a month he was gone. There is so much hope with these drugs, they act so quickly. Please get him to go if he hasn't. If he has then the choice is his. I learned a lot about this, I learned how to help them to die. I am serious when I tell you to PM me if you need. It is often a difficult death and he will need you.

Hope you can still hang out, talk, and enjoy each other during however much time life gives.

I lost a dear childhood friend to "complications from HIV" in September. He'd had it for over ten years but never told anyone until just before. I miss him so much.

At his funeral, his sister and I sat in the corner and talked about how angry we are at him for being so careless with his life and most importantly, for not telling us sooner. He left many devasted people behind, more than he knew.

Near the end, they tried cocktail drugs, etc. but it was too late. He was fighting both viral and bacterial pneumonia when he died.

And, even if he was, is anger a fair response? Many careless people don't get AIDS; your friend was one of the unlucky ones. He is no worse than those who were careless and escaped AIDS.

I would like to add that he made a choice to keep his illness a secret, so you have to assume that he was more comfortable living that way than with having people know about it.

I am sorry for your loss, but please give up anger and remember him with love.

Kephra, I am sorry to learn about your friend, too. I hope the current treatment options will help him live with AIDS for a long time.

is one of the initial stages of grief and a completely normal and reasonable emotion to experience at the loss of those we love.

I appreciate the support. You're absolutely correct, anger is one of the stages of grief. Instead of holding it in, I "tell him" how I feel.

He was careless, I used to shake my head about it, talk to him, etc. He knew what he was doing.... Whatever. I miss him. He made me laugh like no one else -- and I know he would be there like no one else. He was a very special person.

Be strong

DDQM

And I have lost many of my friends to this scourge over the years. Is your friend unable to get medications? Is he taking advantage of community support? Where does he live? PM me if you need some referrals.

:hug:

I hope that the time you've left to spend with one another is fulfilling and that you both know peace.

I'll be thinking of your friend and you, I know how tough this must be.

I'm sorry I'm not able to give many of the specifics, as I wasn't given many of them. And I'm sorry that I didn't responds again after posting this thread, which I'm sure worried a few of you.

I've spend the past couple of days walking around in a fog, crying off and on the entire time. I THINK I'll be able to help him during this period of his life, but it is going to be very hard.

Love ya all and thank you for being there!

:loveya: