Stigma and discrimination are big reasons to avoid HIV. So are potential physical deterioration due to the virus and potential side effects due to the medications.

However, there are also a plethora of small reasons to avoid HIV. Here’s but one of them for you to consider.

I’ve never been good at making and keeping doctor’s appointments. Suffice it to say that there are many reasons for this being the case.

testtube.jpgI’m now at the point where I need to get my blood drawn so that I can get an appointment to see my doctor so that I can get my prescriptions for my meds because I have no more refills left and I’m almost out of pills (whew, wasn’t sure if I could keep that sentence running).

I called my doctor last week to fax paperwork to my phlebotomotist so that I can get my blood drawn. Sure, no problem, I’m told. I call my phlebotomist today to see if they received my paperwork. No, we haven’t, I’m told.

I spoke to my phlebotomist at 4:05 p.m. My doctor’s office stops answering the phones at 4 p.m. I tried to call anyway, but of course no one answered.

It’ll all work out, of that I’m sure. But this is the kind of crap that gets overlooked that quite frankly I’m so tired of. And it will never be over as long as I am HIV positive.

Big reasons should be deterrents for HIV, but perhaps it’s daylighting the countless small reasons that may actually be more effective.