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Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

My Survivorship A to Z Guide

Emotional Well Being Helpful

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Note: This is a sample Survivorship A to Z Guide for a fictitious person we call John. John is just diagnosed with HIV. To view a summary of his answers which led to this Guide, click here.

To get your own free, computer-generated A to Z Guide, click here.

Shame and blame are not unusual thoughts in people living with HIV/AIDS. They are not worth spending time on. Change the subject if they occur.

You may be subjected to the stigma and belief many people have which is that you brought HIV on yourself by unsafe and maybe even "unnatural" sexual behavior.

It doesn't matter how you actually got infected. The perception remains.

Nobody deserves HIV disease and no one needs to apologize for having it.

If thoughts of shame or blame come into your consciousness

  • Do what you can to change the subject. Do your best to think positively. Consider joining a support group or talking informally with other people in a similar situation to learn how other people deal with this concern.
  • Spend time with people who are supportive and not judgmental.

To Learn More

More Information

Support Groups

Waiting for appointments and test results can be a bummer. Time tested techniques can help. For instance, get a specific date when you will get results. Keep yourself busy. [Tell me more]

EDITOR'S NOTE: This information is similar to the information in Managing Your Medical Care. It is repeated here because it is about emotions.

There are time tested ideas that have worked for people to make the wait easier. A few examples of the practical ideas discussed in the article noted in "To Learn More" are:

  • Let your doctor know you are anxious about the results. Ask that you get the results as soon as possible.
  • Ask that you be informed of the test results before a weekend or that you be given the results on a certain date.
  • Keep yourself busy, especially on weekends.
  • Keep a balance in your life.

It's helpful that you have a pet. Studies indicate that pets can help calm emotions. Experience indicates they also add joy. Take simple precautions to minimize any possible risk that they could infect you). [Tell me more]

It's generally easy to take any necessary precautions.

It can also be easy to travel with most pets if you think ahead.

To learn about how to avoid becoming infected from a pet, traveling with a pet, and similar subjects, see Pets 101. For information about pet insurance, including factors to consider when deciding whether to purchase it, click here.