A Discussion With My Doctor
June 10, 2013
At my last doctor’s appointment, I talked with my doctor about the recent “HIV cure within months!” headlines that were floating around online and also my decision to switch HIV meds. Part of that discussion is in this week’s Shawn and Gwenn video, as well as an exciting new “Paging Doctor Decker” segment…
Which might just be a flash in the bed pan. Time will tell!
Hope this finds you well.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Changing HIV Medications
June 5, 2013
My latest video is a bit more personal- it’s about switching HIV medications. Since I started on HIV meds back in 1999, I’ve switched 4 times, going on 3 different combinations, but never because the drugs weren’t doing their job in keeping HIV from replicating. It’s always been because of side effects.
And it’s always been an improvement- until last fall.
Of course, I’m thankful these pills have extended my life. But quality of life is very important to me, and I’m always going to be looking for ways to make my day-to-day existence an enjoyable one. Medications, for the most part, keep getting better and better, and I’m hopeful that the side effects because less of hindrance on our minds and bodies as we- the fortunate survivors of three decades of loss- move forward.
That was deep. Hope this little blog entry finds you well.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Baby Cured of HIV?
March 5, 2013
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Labtest Contest IX: Win A Rise Above HIV Shirt!
January 29, 2013
It’s that time again- time to guess my t-cell count for the chance to win a fabulous prize! So what is the prize this time around? It is a Rise Above HIV t-shirt, designed by my friend and Synthetic Division bandmate, Josh D’Elia, and modeled by my lovely partner, Gwenn, below…
This time around everyone is up against the first champion to ever guess the exact count, Scott Anderson. He is someone I’ve known since we were teenagers and he is a steadfast competitor who has no intentions of being a one-time champion. Feeling lucky to take him down? Then take a guess for a chance to win! Post your guess on my Poz blog Comments section- see the official rules below.
Good luck!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
SCOTT ANDERSON (GUESS: 620 ACTUAL COUNT: 620)
Previous Champions…
March-July 2010: Charles Oliff (guess: 567 actual count: 565)
July-December 2010: Aimee Lee (guess: 516 actual: 511)
December 2010- March 2011: “Satan” (guess: 666 actual: 662)
March-July 2011: Sharon Paul (guess: 520 actual: 508)
August-January 2012: Justin Starkenburg (guess: 570 actual count: 579)
February- June: Bob Geise (guess: 595 actual count: 590)
July-September: Sahara Frog (guess: 515 actual count: 512)
Official Rules
1. You have to post your guess (between 300 and 800 t-cells) on my Poz blog Comments section
2. Relatives are allowed to guess!
3. Closest guess wins- no Price is Right logic applies.
4. One vote/guess per person.
5. Deadline is Monday, February 4, 2013 12:01 am EST
Affordable Care Act Still on Track
June 28, 2012
I am very happy about The Supreme Court decision to keep the Affordable Care Act on track. I know too many people with too many medical conditions. We are not hypothetical situations. Here is the President’s reaction to the vote.
I know many in the AIDS community cringe when Obama speaks lovingly of Ronald Reagan, but let’s not forget that he’s the first president to invite a large group of people living with HIV to the White House for dinner. The Affordable Care Act shows that he is more than a kind gesture, and that his policies have those with serious (and expensive) medical conditions in mind.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
The Winner of the Labtest Contest VII: Sahara Frog!
June 11, 2012
So the results are in- and the winner of the Labtest Contest VII, and new t-cell champion, is Sahara Frog who rendered a guess of 515. The actual count was 512, so Sahara missed the mark by a mere 3 tiny t-cells! This is the first time that the lowest guess was the correct answer, and also the first time that the actual t-cell count was lower than all of the guesses.
Should you or I be worried?
Absolutely not. T-cell counts fluctuate. My viral load was undetectable and my t-cell percentage is 30%. The same as when I had that count of 570-ish last time. I’m feeling good, and have lots of t-cells that are working hard. Having the viral load at undetectable means my HIV meds and positoid lifestyle are working in tandem to keep the virus from having an opportunity to replicate. I’m beyond happy for these results, and thanks to everyone who guesses in the Labtest Contests, that makes me happy too.
So Sahara Frog hops to the T-Cell Throne for glory… and… wait… is the winner of the upcoming Synthetic Division album, Numb to the Numbers! Congratulations.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Labtest Contest VII: Numb to the Numbers!
June 5, 2012
It’s that time again- time to guess my t-cell count for the chance to win a fabulous prize! So what is the prize this time around? Well, it’s something I’ve been working very hard on this year- it’s the new Synthetic Division album, Numb to the Numbers! I’m celebrating 25 years of being diagnosed with HIV. It’s about being thankful for being here and enjoying my fourth decade (end of 80s, entire 90s and 00s, and now the ’10s) with my pet virus. The CD is officially out on July 5, and we’ll be playing a CD Release Show is Charlottesville followed by another show in DC on Friday, July 6 at the Velvet Lounge.
On Monday I’ll announce the winner of this contest and also post information on how to pre-order the CD for anyone else who is interested. Here’s the album’s cover art, created by bandmate Josh D’Elia.
So take a guess for a chance to win! Post your guess on my Poz blog- see the official rules below. Good luck!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
CURRENT CHAMPION: Bob Geise (guess: 595 actual count: 590)
Previous Champions…
March-July 2010: Charles Oliff (guess: 567 actual count: 565)
July-December 2010: Aimee Lee (guess: 516 actual: 511)
December 2010- March 2011: “Satan” (guess: 666 actual: 662)
March-July 2011: Sharon Paul (guess: 520 actual: 508)
August-January 2012: Justin Starkenburg (guess: 570 actual count: 579)
Official Rules
1. You have to post your guess (between 400 and 700 t-cells) on my Poz blog Comments section
2. Relatives are allowed to guess!
3. Closest guess wins- no Price is Right logic applies.
4. One vote/guess per person.
5. Deadline is Sunday, June 10, 2012 11:59 pm EST
Eating Out AIDS 2012
April 26, 2012
Yes- I meant to post that as the title of this blog post. I’ve decided that Dining Out For Life needs an image overall after one of my friends at dinner said that “Dining Out For Life” makes it sound like a pro-life rally. Which, it is: a pro-life rally for people living with HIV/AIDS.
So, to erase any confusion, I’ve decided to call it “Eating Out AIDS”. I don’t think this will catch on, and maybe fewer restaurants would sign up for something called this. But I like it- it has a ring to it. Here’s a picture of me and friends Eating Out AIDS tonight at Blue Moon Diner. Thanks again to The Nook, Sticks and Escafe for also participating in this delicious fundraiser for AIDS Services Group!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
LIFE IN PHOTOS
Our new YouTube video is a fun one. Check out our #HIV and sex ed channel at: http://YouTube.com/shawnandgwenn
Lucky to call this guy "Dad".
Here's what a #syntheticdivision will get ya on Instagram- band stuff/math stuff. Band stuff by @andydeane @miscreation @wvawser thnx!
Bella Morte, Lauren Hoffman and Synthetic Division @cvillejefferson on 8/3/13. Tix on sale tomorrow- Thnx @myblacksdontmatch for taking the pic!
Speaking About Sexual Health
Since 2000, Shawn and Gwenn have been speaking about sexual health together, sharing their personal story and empowering others to be safe. If you are interested in having them speak at your event, fill out the Contact Us form.
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