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
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Flor,
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have a good heart. It is sad how society will treat people who are HIV+ like an outcast. People can be so shallow and not even realize that they could possible missing out on a wonderful relationship with someone because of an illness. In the long run they are missing out because of their lack of compassion and ignorance. HIV/AIDS doesn't determine a person character, but it does add to it. It has to take them courage to be willing to share their stories with us and I am honored to be a part of the experience. I hope that you and I gain as much knowledge as our brain's can hold. Stay focus on your dreams and share your heart with people who need it. Be blessed.
Flor, a few things to make your blog easier to read. Put spaces between the paragraphs and use more paragraphs in your blog.
ReplyDeleteUse a different font color for your Did You Know heading so it stands out and is easier to find. Get some pictures, videos, web links to help address the issues you are talking about.
Visit http://steph219hsc3593.blotspot.com to see what I mean.
I loved Hot Zone. He has also written two other books that I use in my Community Health and Epidemiology classes. Philadelphia is Linda's favorite movie.
I'm glad you are finding your way around the website. As I said in the online orientation, start with the calendar and then go to the assignment or module it talks about to find out more information on it. We will keep you hopping all semester long.
My daughter took Atripla. It caused havoc with her brain and turned her into a Jekyll and Hyde. It was the Sustiva part of the drug that was doing that to her. Apparently African American children can't tolerate high doses of that particular drug. She is now on two different drugs, Truvada and Kaletra.
I look forward to reading future blogs.
Thanks for taking this course. I was on Atripla as well, but it caused depression and I had to get off of it. Although a wonder drug, it's filled with some falls. As you increase your knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and as you meet people who are living with HIV/AIDS take a stock of who they are without thinking about the HIV diagnosis...and you'll see that other than that..we are just like you..I love that you are taking this course!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the courage to take what I consider to be the most demanding web course at UCF. :>)Since you have never taken a web course, this one will be extremely challenging. However, when the semester is over, all the others will seem like a breeze. :>)
ReplyDelete