UNAIDS warns of millions of AIDS-related deaths and continued devastation from pandemics if leaders don’t address inequalities

30 November, 2021 Michael McFarland Campbell

GENEVA, 29 November 2021—UNAIDS issued a stark warning today that if leaders fail to tackle inequalities the world could face 7.7 million* AIDS-related deaths over the next 10 years. UNAIDS further warns that if the transformative measures needed to end AIDS … Continue reading UNAIDS warns of millions of AIDS-related deaths and continued devastation from pandemics if leaders don’t address inequalities

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Keeping track of blood results is important

9 November, 2021 Michael McFarland Campbell

Since I started treatment for living with HIV and for my kidney failure, I have always attempted to keep track of the various blood results that come in. As I get further and further down the line of both conditions, … Continue reading Keeping track of blood results is important

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Right amount of fluid taken off, but still ½ a kilo over my dry weight?

2 November, 2021 Michael McFarland Campbell

Yesterday, as it was Monday, I expected there to be some difficulty in cannulating myself for my dialysis session. What I did not expect was that it would take my named nurse and I several attempts and then think that … Continue reading Right amount of fluid taken off, but still ½ a kilo over my dry weight?

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B. Braun Wellstone Midlands Renal Care Centre opened in Port Laoise

21 October, 2021 Michael McFarland Campbell

Last Thursday, I was one of three renal patients who attended the onsite opening of the B. Braun Wellstone Renal Care Centre in Downs, Port Laoise. The Renal Care Centre is where I receive my thrice-weekly dialysis sessions. Leading up … Continue reading B. Braun Wellstone Midlands Renal Care Centre opened in Port Laoise

Adherence, Drugs, IrelandLeave a comment

Patient information leaflets are important

14 September, 2021 Michael McFarland Campbell

Being prescribed a new medication always means learning about what side effects there may be, and how the medication should be taken. This is why patient information leaflets are a vital part of the pharmaceutical industry. (However much they annoy … Continue reading Patient information leaflets are important

health, HIV, Transmission, U=U, Viral loadLeave a comment

What does Undetectable=Untransmittable mean?

16 August, 2021 Michael McFarland Campbell

I’m very pleased to hear that University College Dublin Students’ Union has created a campaign raising awareness of U=U in conjunction with HIV Ireland’s #MPOWER service. Well done to former UCDSU President, Conor Anderson, for speaking out and raising awareness. Continue reading What does Undetectable=Untransmittable mean?

health, HIV, Northern Ireland, Stigma, TransmissionLeave a comment

Progress on gay blood donation: does it take account of U=U?

13 August, 202113 August, 2021 Michael McFarland Campbell

It is heartening to hear that the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service is changing its rules for blood donation to allow gay men who have been in a same-sex relationship for three months or more to give blood as part … Continue reading Progress on gay blood donation: does it take account of U=U?

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Walking challenge helped mental health: near 110,000 steps in last week!

20 June, 2021 Michael McFarland Campbell

At the beginning of May, my dialysis unit (the B Braun Wellstone Midlands Renal Care Centre in Port Laoise) made a suggestion of trying to see how many steps we could take each day to improve our mental health. The … Continue reading Walking challenge helped mental health: near 110,000 steps in last week!

dialysis, health, HIV, kidney failure1 Comment

Revised format for recording dialysis and HIV medications and stats

13 June, 2021 Michael McFarland Campbell

So, on Friday, I had created a table for recording particular stats whilst on dialysis. Then a friend suggested that I use a bullet journal to make things easier, so I have done that. I then realised that I had a blank page to the left of my table, and so have used that to create checklist to keep track of my medications. So, let’s see how this goes for the next few days and then I will decide whether to continue or not. Continue reading Revised format for recording dialysis and HIV medications and stats

health, kidney failure, Positivity2 Comments

HSE computer hack has helped mental health for me as a dialysis patient

11 June, 2021 Michael McFarland Campbell

Dialysis, like much of healthcare, is all about numbers. The numbers may be examined on a yearly, quarterly, monthly, or weekly basis. Some are checked hourly during each dialysis session. Usually, these hourly numbers are registered and checked by the … Continue reading HSE computer hack has helped mental health for me as a dialysis patient