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Hospice helps patient come to terms with HIV/AIDS
Jaime Griesgraber. 05 May 2005. Cape Times. Republished courtesy of Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd.
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Fifteen years ago, Masindy Apie went to the doctor for what she thought was a sexually transmitted disease. Her doctor tested her blood and told her that she had HIV/AIDS and three months to live.
It was not until 2001, when Apie first began counselling at St Luke's Hospice in Khayelitsha, that she even heard the word "HIV". "For 10 years I had absolutely no knowledge about HIV or AIDS," she said.
St Luke's Hospice is celebrating International Hospice Week, which runs until Sunday. St Luke's 200 staff members and 800 volunteers care for, on average, 800 terminally-ill patients each day, according to spokesperson Samantha Pryce.
When Apie first arrived at St Luke's in 2001, she said she was so ill she could barely walk.
"The warmth I got here when I first arrived was amazing," she said.
Staff from St Luke's visit Apie at home once a month, ensuring she is healthy and taking her medication correctly. She also participates in group counselling twice a week.
"When you're with people who are like you and who know your pain there is a special bond," she said.
"I receive support from my family members, who are not HIV positive, and it's not the same."
Apie said that before she began counselling at St Luke's she only told a few close family members of her status. She said that since she came to St Luke's and began ARV treatment, she feels "free".
Apie said that through work at St Luke's she has felt confident enough to educate others about HIV/AIDS.
"In the 1990s no one would come near me if they knew what I had," she said. "Now I sit with people and they're not afraid to touch me."
In honour of Hospice Week, St Luke's is running an SMS campaign to raise funds. To support their work, SMS the word "CARE" to the number 41119. Your donation of R25 will help cover the costs of running the home-care hospice.
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