Out of Commission

Well, men, I have joined a growing statistical group, that is, I was at the VA last week for a routine check-up and was told that I had tested positive for syphilis. Ah, uhm, uhm...my embarrassment and surprise were telegraphed to my very nice and non-judgmental doctor. Embarrassed, yes...for I am a man of a certain age, my twink years are decades behind me. Surprised, well yes, but I shouldn't have been...what would one expect after being gangbanged on the pad at sex parties, fucked in a sling by dozens of guys I didn't even know, knocked up on numerous one night stands? Now I have had the clap a half dozen times during my sexual career, chlamydia once, urethritis several times, have been exposed to hepatitis B (while serving in the military overseas, non-sexual), have lived on with two hernias (so I've been told by Kaiser), and of course am HIV-positive. But syphilis? No, that was for undisciplined, irresponsible, total sluts!
'What the hell do you think you are, you idiot?' I asked myself. Truth is, it could happen to anyone who's been sexually active with multiple partners, anonymous partners. Hot sex sometimes comes with a price.
I had no idea how involved the curing process is...a spinal tap might be required for us poz brothers, I now understand. After undergoing a series of neurological tests to determine my reflexes, body strength and endurance, the VA decided to forgo the spinal tap, after consulting with the SF VD clinic. I'm glad the spinal tap was deemed unnecessary...I don't know how painful it is, but it's gotta be expensive and I don't want to burden the taxpayer anymore than is required to kill this nasty bug.

A series of six shots were prescribed, one in each buttcheek spread out over three weeks. I don't know how many cc's but let's just say the injection was long in duration (not a quick prick!) and deep into muscle tissue. What followed was a severe soreness that lasted for about 24 hours, requiring a lie-down in mid-afternoon, as it became tiring to walk or stand...it must be what a very old person feels like...puny in every way.

I'm feeling fine now, watching porn, pumping, jacking off...but I'll be out of commission for another two weeks. I fear the reaction to the next shots will be the same as the first, so I have to plan accordingly. Thank God for my vast porn library.

So men, when they say 'get tested' for VD, they are deadly serious. Just do it, go with the plan...hit the bathhouse on the night of free testing, keep in touch with your buddies...man, that was the worst part, having to inform my buds that I had syph. I guess we'll all recover. Thank God I'm living in this city, in this state, in this country, at this time. I shudder to think what the guys in the 1880's, 1920's, 1940's had to go through.
Keep moving, going forward, we'll all be OK with a bit more care and attention.