Full Blown Aids

[MsDisney23]

Do any of you know of or have a friend, family member who has full blown aids or has passed from this? I have had a terrible past couple of year's. My one and only sister was brutually murdered this past June. Yesterday I was going through some of her things and well my heart just broke. Her killer is still on the loose, I pray someday they get this person/persons. They robbed her of everything in her house, I mean just about everything. She was there for four days before being discovered. The house looked like a scene out of a Charles Manson movie. Yes, the person used an ax, her body was nude, she had also been shot up with drugs. Sorry to get off the orginial subject. She was my only sister. I took her to WDW once and paid her whole way, it was my Xmas gift to her. I plan on taking a single rose with a ribbon on it and saying a prayer in the garden at The Castle for her in May.

Now back to the aids ?. My one and only brother has full blown aids, he is homeless and live's in a shelter just for aids patient's. He has had an alcohol and drug problem for many of years. Beat every girlfriend he ever had, etc. My mom had taken him in, sure enough he beat her up as well.

Due to his violence I have hardly seen him, however he is my brother and I know he is suffering real bad. I just had to get all this off my chest, I am open and honest with people about things that have happened, but it is hard at time's.

Can anyone tell me what to expect at the end of full blown aids. How long can one be at the full blown stage? I know he takes alot of meds. I was told by my Aunt that he has stopped drinking and is even going to church. He now see's my mom on occasion.

He is my only brother, I feel as though I have lost my only sister and brother like a thief in the night. No warning,

I have found my peace with everything. I did give this to God to handle and sort out, if not I would have been consumed by all the horror. I know my sister wants me to go with my life, and my brother would as well.

I am thinking of making up a care package and sending to my brother, as I know he could use alot of things. Just plan basic things, like toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, razor's. etc. I think I am going to do that with a nice card. I need him to know that I do love him, just not the things that he has done in the past. I did tell him to pray to God and ask for forgiviness and to save his soul. Please pray for him, his name is Stafford. He gets his meds through the Ryan White fountation.

Thanks for letting me get all of this off my chest, it sure did help me to just write it all out and share.

 

[Jeafl]

Wow, you sure have a lot on your plate. What a horrible thing to happen to your sister.

I don't know of anyone personally with full blown AIDS, but it seems like you are on the right track. Just letting him know you care is a good start.

I will definitely keep you and your family in my prayers.

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

I am not much help on the AIDS subject but I wanted to at least give you a big {{{hug}}}

I think your brother would appreciate the care package, he probably would like to be reassured that you still love him before he leaves this earth. I will say a prayer for him and for you. Good luck and vent away as much as you need......that is what we are all here for.

 

[MosMom]

I really have no advice on your situation and it left me speechless. I just want to say I'm sorry for what happened to your sister and I hope you and your brother can make peace before he passes.

 

[DoeWDW]

So much tragedy. I'm so sorry - really don't know what to say.

I do think that reaching out to your brother via a care package and a card would be a nice thing to do. I'll keep him and you in my prayers.

 

[IloveDMB]

Just wanted to send some hugs .

 

[Robinrs]

Such tragedy, so much pain in your family... I feel for you and I cannot imagine what your Mom is feeling.

I have lost many friends and two family members to AIDs. It's not a pretty thing. This was years ago, hopefully there are meds that help they through the stages now.

God bless you all,

Robinrs

 

[snoopy]

If he is on meds, he could potentially live to be a very old person with full blown Aids. Medical technology has made such great strides that many people are living relatively normal lives even though they have full blown Aids.

My best friend died of Aids -- unfortunately for him the drug cocktail that they are giving people with Aids (a combination of drugs that needs to be taken throughout the day) was not effective for him, as his immune system was so compromised by that point. The biggest problem for him in the end was "wasting" --- he couldn't eat, and he was very, very thin and frail. He was constantly battling pneumonia, another problem for Aids patients. It was the pneumonia that killed him in the end.

I am so sorry you have had such tragedy in your life. I hope you are able to find some peace, you certainly deserve it. And please accept my sincere condolences on the terrible tragedy and loss of your sister.

 

[Mamu]

Hugs, if you feel you need to visit do before it's too late, for both of you.

I lost an ex SIL to aids. Had not seen her in 15 years, heard she was in a home for the terminally ill. I went to visit her. Did not recognize her, very thin.

Best thing I ever did. No judging, whoever she hurt it was in the past. We laugh, we cried, we hugged. We talked about old times. Sadly a year later she passed on. I will always remember her with love.

 

[arminnie]

I worked and lived in the SF Bay area for many years. I knew several people with full blown aids. The good news is that several of them are still alive because of the new drugs. I am glad that they are available to him as they are very expensive. His underlying health may be a factor if there was significant drug and alcohol abuse for many years.

However long he has to live what he needs more than anything is just plain love. You are very sweet to put together the care package for him. That is a nice first step to let him know that you care.

What a loving and caring person you are to be able to put the past behind you.

 

[kilee]

I have no advice, but wanted to tell you that I'm so sorry you have so much pain lately. I'm sure you'll come to the right answer regarding your brother.

 

[Melora]

I'm sorry there has been so much pain in your life

Jeffs cousin dies of aids in the early 80's.. one of the first...

A good friend of mine's mother died of aids she got through a blood transfusion also in the early 80's.


You are doing a great thing..... I cant think of anything to add except a big

 

[ducklite]

I'm so sorry that you've had so much to bear.

I've lost several freinds to AIDS.

As far as full blown AIDS, yes, as others have mentioned, the wating away, weakness, very frail. It's also very possible that Kaposi's sarcoma might become an issue, with tumors that appear as red "welts" on the skin, and in the mucos mebranes. They can be very painful to the patient. Various gastric and bowel problems often occur, including bouts of debilitating diarreah and vomiting. Other opportunistic infections including as mentioned previously pnuemonia can become a problem, as can TB and thrush in the throat and mouth.

In the final stages dementia is quite possible and blindess and incontinence are often present.

If you have the chance to see him, do so. AIDS can take a turn for the worse suddenly and without warning. If you can't visit, in your care package you might want to also add some current photo's of yourself and children if you have any, they might bring him comfort.

You'll be in my thoughts.

Anne

 

[helenabear]

I have no true advice... just wanted to offer you and your brother my prayers. I am so sorry your family has had to endure this pain

 

[Poohbear123]

Faith.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Hugs and prayers for you and your family. That is way too much to have. And you are doing a fantastic job! I'm sure your brother would appreciate that package, especially knowing it comes from you. I'm sorry you've had such tragedy. Bless you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Some very tough life events, MsDisney23. I can only offer you my good wishes and prayers that life ahead, for you, your brother, are good. God rest the soul of your sister. So very sad indeed.

 

[browneyes]

I've been fortunate and am also unfamiliar with anyone I know dying from complications of this cruel disease. I think the care package is a good gesture for your brother.

I can only imagine what you and your mom are going through right now. I'm sorry about your sister.

 

[Lachesis00]

I am so sorry to hear this. Perhaps do the care package with photos first and then see about meeting up with your brother? It sounds like he's tried to make some positive changes in his life.

 

[TLinden16]

Wow. Sometimes a post comes along, and I really don't know what to say. I can't imagine having this happen to my siblings. I don't know how I would get through it!

I will say a prayer for your family so that you may have the strength to get through all this. Your poor mom. for you for your mom.

Karen