My name is Flor D.Maldonado,originally from P.R., mother of 5, married for 12 years and I am a sophomore majoring in Medical Labnoratory Science to work as a Medical Technologist.
The course has its ups and downs, sudden stops and even riskier highs. For example, I started reading “The Hot Zone” by Richard Preston, and I saw the movie Philadelphia again during our short recess, before the class even began. The book was extraordinary, compare to the types of books I am used to reading, I surprisingly liked it. The book kept me wanting to know more about the story, I could not put it down even though I have to sometimes, and I really enjoyed it. The movie just made me feel ashamed and sad about how society in its ignorance just make the infected by the virus feel unwanted like an outcast or an outlaw. I started learning information that I did not know from this bonus book and I decided to buy one of the eight choice books, “Surviving the Fall” by Peter A. Selwyn, M.D. before class started also and it was just as pleasant and eye opening as our bonus book. I was really happy to have made the decision of taking my advisor’s advice on taking this class. The only challenge I have faced in the course is the fact that is my first time taking a class online and not knowing my way around on the web courses and on the BlogSpot has truly affected me. This situation has really upset me and taken my concentration away even from my other three classes. But needless to say how the Professors have really being there to guide me through all my obstacles so I really appreciate this gesture. I am growing into a more mature person, emotionally, due to this course. I feel more compassion and I find myself showing more empathy than before just for the reading of these books only. Medical Staff work day and night to help on research, treatments, or even counseling for these particular patients. I feel more inspired by them to keep going to school and be part of a team who goes above and beyond that actually cares for the one in need, and they are not there any personal gain.
Did You Know?
There is a new pill in the market Named ATRIPLA, that combines 3 HIV medication in 1 daily pill. Its “proven to lower viral load to undetectable and help raise T-cell (CD4) count to help control HIV through 3 years of a clinical study”(Synovate Healthcare Data, 2008).
To learn more, visit
www.ATRIPLA.com

I collected three magazines, I read them occasionally, I want to encourage everyone to check them out when you have time. There are extremely informative and they also have many testimonies.
www.poz.com
www.hivpositivemagazine.com
www.hivplusmag.com