BIOGRAPHICAL SERIES

Taking It Day By Day

Thirteen Years #43: The story of a friend, and his fight with AIDS

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Annie immediately sent Isaac the address of the university hospital in Rotterdam. She was so happy to hear Isaac’s doctor wanted to send a letter to the Netherlands. Since she and Jacques were still planning to visit Isaac, she also tried to find out whether Isaac might have plans to visit his mother or someone else, since he wasn’t working. They needed to know what plans Isaac had, for them to plan their trip when they knew he would be home.

Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 17:19:55

My dear friends,

It’s Tuesday. Another day is over. I hate it when the days pass by this quickly. Still, I am thankful I’m here to experience them. Sorry for my silence. I’m not sick and neither am I angry.

I went to a colleague for a barbecue on Saturday and then on Sunday the neighbors invited me over to them. I’ve had enough of barbecue for a long time now. All is well over here. The pain hasn’t returned yet. The infection is still there, because it still feels tender. However, I’m not in pain. I still have little strength and I just live with it. Doctor said it would take about six weeks for the chicken pox to leave my body. I stopped counting.

I have indeed thought about taking a vacation, but I should watch my finances. I might just need a lot of money one of these days. Even if I go on a vacation, what else would I do than what I’m doing now, anyway? Therefore, I can just as well stay home and do it here.

I’ll stop for now. Take care. Tons of love. Me xxxxx

Annie sat back after she had written the addresses of an attorney and that of the AIDS foundation on envelopes. She had written each of them an almost identical letter, explaining how she knew Isaac, what his situation was and asking what the possibilities were for Isaac to be treated in the Netherlands. She didn’t know whether her writing these letters would help, but she knew she couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. She had to help her friend.

Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 00:36:56

Hi there my dear friends,

I am sorry I’m so quiet. I guess I’m going into ‘isolation mood’. Please do not worry about it! Everything is okay over here.

I visited Devon and his wife during the week. I could not think of an excuse not to go.

I have already taken my sleeping tablet, so if I talk nonsense, just ignore it.

On Wednesday, I mowed the lawn. It is full of brown patches now, which I guess will get green again with some water.

Tomorrow I am going to a birthday party with Billy and Charlotte. I will have to see what pants I can wear without a belt. Yesterday I walked into the supermarket and suddenly my pants were on my knees. Luckily, there was no one behind me and I was wearing my underwear. Can you imagine what people would have said if they had seen it?

The tablet is starting to take effect, so I am going to stop now.

I miss you a lot, even if I am so quiet.

Lots of love. I have not received the hospital bill yet. Guess I will just have to wait.

Love, lots and lots and lots of love. Just me xxxxx

Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 19:03:12

Hi you lovely people,

I enjoyed the birthday party. They had nice food, and I really was a good boy. I didn’t even have an alcoholic beverage. The last time I had one was when I was with you.

I’m not busy isolating myself. I am just so used to be by myself, that I am not always in the mood for people around me.

Not much news over here.

Lots of love Only me xxxxx

Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 19:12:24

Hi you all,

I went to the hospital today for the hospital bill. Kathy called to say they had received it. Tomorrow after work, Kathy will come here and then we will have a look at the letter you had written, so we can make the necessary changes.

From the hospital, I went to my personnel officer. She had the papers from headquarters for my medical board. It’s terrible. After 17 years of service, I won’t really have much to live on if I leave the Force. I just don’t know what to do. Kathy has spoken to them and there will be no problem if I work half days, but they cannot make it official. So for how long I will get away with it, I just don’t know. Oh well, I will not make myself sick about it. What will be, will be.

Take care. Much love, Me Xxxxxx

Continued: Chapter 44

Find all chapters here.

Note: This series is a rework of a self-published book (2009), rewritten in loving memory of a dear friend who suffered from and passed because of AIDS. Keep in mind this story happens in the late eighties and throughout the nineties. Names of characters have been changed to protect their privacy.

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