Hi Everyone....

It's been awhile since I've been here on the group.

When I first was diagnosed Arlyn, Angela and Guyonthephone (who I don't see
any posts from lately) were extremely helpful to me.   And I just wanted to
give you all an update (and some encouragement to those newly diagnosed).

In 2000 I was diagnosed with herpes 2 -- the person I was seeing at the time
insisted he did not have it.  When I was positively diagnosed he "said" he
went to be tested and it came back negative - do I believe him....NO.
Could he be telling the truth - well, if he is then either I had it for a
long time with no symptoms which is unlikely cause when I first got it (that
I know of) my first outbreak was excruiating and therefore leads me to
believe it was my first outbreak!   This also means that he was probably
cheating on me (which I suspected anyway).  Long story short - he is gone.

I dated on and off through the years and had my share of heartbreak after I
would tell someone I had herpes and they would say "no problem" and then a
few weeks later disappeared from my life.  The longest someone stuck it out
was 3 months - and then dumped me on Valentines Day no less!!

Well, this past June I met the most incredible guy (yes I posted here too
the day I told him and was crying my eyes out since he got really aggitated
and stormed out of my home).   Did I tell him at the right time?  Who knows?
Did it go how I wanted it - hell no.

We were dating for a month (never got intimate at that point).  Although
there were some hot tempting moments but never got to taking off any
clothing (he probably thought I was weird).  One night I had the speech all
planned.   But for some reason - when I told him it came out more of "there
could be a possibility that I have herpes" rather than "I have herpes".
Why?  Who knows?

Anyway, he went on and one about how I should have said something and that
this is a huge thing and he didn't know if he could deal with it, etc.   We
sat in silence for a while and then he said "I gotta go home".  He gave me a
kiss, left, turned and looked at me and said "I'll talk to you soon".   I
figured that was the last.

It took everything in me not to call him.   The next day I was a basket
case, couldn't eat, sleep, left work early, came home and was dry heaving
(since I didn't eat anything).  Ate a piece of pizza just so I could have
something to throw up.   He instant messengered me and told me how hard this
was for him.  I told him I knew and understood and really cared about him
and that's why I told him and sent him some websites to read.  Told him I
couldn't make a decision for him.

A few days later he called and told me he missed me but was scared we
couldn't get back what we had.   A few days later we got together and
talked.  We decided I would go to the doctor and get a blood test to be
sure - after all I never was typed or anything and never did have a blood
test, so it wasn't a bad thing.

He told me that he would stand by me regardless of the results (yeah right
we think).   Well he CAME with me to the OB/GYN - my doctor was so impressed
with that - she explained to him that she really hates giving herpes tests
because he only says you have it and not WHERE you have it and how common it
is etc. but knows it is a necessity etc.  He asked a lot of questions, etc.
We went back a week later - the test was positive for type 2 - surprise LOL.
Well, we decided I'd go on Valtrex.

Well.....it's 6 months later and I'm still taking Valtrex, he's still around
and we're talking about the future.....rings, weddings, etc.

There is a happy ending after all.

Thanks for all the support you guys have given me over the years -- even
when I was just reading and not posting......I hope to post and support the
newbies and let them know there is hope -- you just can't give up or feel
sorry for yourself!!