I was recently surprised by a headline stating "American study finds cervical cancer uncommon in HIV positive women." What? I’ve read for years that women with HIV can be more vulnerable to developing cervical cancer because HIV compromises the immune system. So I read past the headline and got the story.
A member recently came in, pregnant belly leading, and a smile on her face. We joked about hunger pangs, multiple trips to the bathroom and the excitement of her baby on the way. In the early days of HIV, a pregnancy might have been a cause for concern, but these days, a healthy pregnancy is totally achievable, and this grinning gal was proof.
The day is quiet (except for my radio, but the other staff are kindly not mentioning it if it’s too loud) and I’m thinking about a short presentation I’ll be giving soon. My job is to talk to future health care providers about PWN and what we do, particularly in terms of community connections and positive prevention.
It’s yet another drizzly morning, and rain’s been dragging people down- energy’s been low around town for the last couple of days.
Energy’s bubbling here at PWN, though, because it’s the start of the Aboriginal Women and Children’s Retreat weekend. In a little while, members here will leave for Bowen Island to meet women who’ve come from other parts of the province. Right now, they’re eating pizza and friends are reconnecting, laughing while newcomers listen and smile: the magic is starting.
