Today is World AIDS Day. There are marches all over Gaborone, a strangely comforting scene, many people supporting activism to fight this pandemic. My contribution to the cause was to lead by example. Jen (a close friend and volunteer at the hospice) and I went to get tested for HIV. I wasn't worried about the result so I assumed it would be an experience undertaken just on principle.
We arrived at the testing centre, told the front desk we would like to be tested and were asked to wait in the queue. Being the minority in the room, the only two Lekgowa, 40 Batswana stared at us as we walked in. The waiting room is daunting, you can hear people's thoughts of judgement, everyone silently questioning how you ended up here. We waited about an hour and a half.
I felt the pressure and anxiety that others feel when the test result of your life is just moments away. Jen and I talked about how we thought we would react if we were told the worst. Honestly, I don't know how I would take such heavy news and I realized this is what it was like. This is what about 25% of Batswana live through.
Counselling was required before and after the test, we decided to go through it all together. When we first met with the counsellor, we were asked a series of questions, first being for why were we getting tested. That was followed by some generic questions for statistics and then we were sent into the testing room.
The rapid HIV test is what's used through most of Botswana and it is free to everyone. There is a little prick of the finger, blood is drawn and put on two test strips.
One red stripe = NEGATIVE, two red stripes = POSITIVE
It's a test for the white blood cell count (WBCs are building blocks of the immune system which is compromised when you have HIV).
More waiting.
When the time came for our results, we couldn't help but be nervous, it's contagious there. Before our status was declared, our backround was given, some very personal questions were asked and then, the silver platter was handed to us. As we lifted the lid, my stomach turned over and then, relief. One red stripe!
My registration card was stamped NEGATIVE and as Jen and I walked out of the clinic, we smiled at each other and put on our bracelets.
My bracelet says 'ke itse seemo sa me'
...which is Setswana for 'I know my status'
do you?
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3 comments:
It's awesome how such a "simple" experience can bring so much insight into a condition...the stress, the anticipation, the consequences of the results.
Proud of you J-town. The Med class made a poster for World AIDS day, we all wore red for the photo and stood in the shape of the red ribbon...today we all wore red ribbons, and there was a video presentation and some speeches by classmates who have worked with people with HIV. This week our topic is acquired immunology, fittingly.
I reminded my friends about international aids day and then told them all to read your blog.
Yikes...no matter you are about not being "positive", it must have been a bit unnerving...I can remember taking the test years ago and feeling somewhat nervous myself....
Being around so many "positive" cases though...different experience altogether I'm sure.
Johanne
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