be safe, play safe
By Pat Law™ • Nov 28th, 2009 • Category: Lead StoryPat, we’d need you to do a swab.
There is a possibility that you may have contacted Chlamydia, given your sexual history.
I don’t typically write anything this personal on blankanvas, but because I do care for my younger readers, I will make an exception this time.
I was all but a tender eighteen years of age when I found my life being placed on a pedestal, as a result of my own frivolity. I’ve just returned from a visit to my ex-girlfriend in Melbourne, and I was getting a little bothered with the itching discharge I’ve been experiencing over the past couple of weeks.
I shared my sexual history with my GP willingly, including the bit of the one and only time I had unprotected sex when I first lost my virginity a year back when I was 17.
But I got away with it, right Doc? I mean, it’s been over 12 months. If I’ve caught something, it would’ve showed long time ago. Nervous as I was, I tried diagnosing myself, much to my GP’s amusement.
Chlamydia is what we’d call a silent disease because 3 out of 4 women infected do not have any symptoms. Not for months, and for some, not for years even. Don’t worry, we just need to check to be sure, and also, we’d recommend for you to do a HIV test.
My GP’s attempt at reassuring me fell flat like a broken piano. I spent the next 9 days a nervous wreck as I waited anxiously for my results. Wages in sin is death, like they say. At that point, I wish someone would shoot me in the head and end me of my misery. I was worried sick that I may’ve passed on the disease to my then girlfriend. A thousand “I should’ve done this” and “I shouldn’t have done that” went through my mind. But it didn’t matter. God doesn’t turn back Time for no one.
Everyone has their decadent era, and mine struck when I was 17. I was struggling with my sexuality then, and I foolishly thought I could fuck myself out of being a lesbian by sleeping with men. The first time I did it, it was 9 days after my 17th birthday, and we did it without a condom. I’m ashamed of myself for saying this, but the only thing I was worried about at that point was getting pregnant. For some reason, I didn’t even think about STDs, HIV or AIDS. Fuck, I didn’t think, period. By the time I was done with men, and embracing my sexuality with absolute liberation, I was 18 and ready to leave my past behind. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that sometimes, the past isn’t ready to leave you. You always have to pay up for your sins somehow.
After 9 agonizing days of waiting, my results came back. Negative. I’m clean. Drops of gratitude fell from my eyes as I held on tightly to that piece of hope. God, or whoever is in charge, showed mercy and I got away this time. I did nothing to deserve the pardon, but I’m not about to think I’d get away with it again.
Today, I’m probably one of the safest human beings you’d ever meet. I’ve gotten so anal about my health that I won’t even kiss a person if I know that person leads a frivolous lifestyle of bare-backing. I go for a HIV test annually, and I have one and only one sex partner in the form of my beautiful wife. I don’t personally subscribe to the notion of abstinence (frankly, I think abstinence encourages violence and stifles creativity) but I can see the risks in casual sex. I mean, when was the last time you actually go “Hi, I’m Jane. Nice cock you have there. Now can I see your HIV test results before you slot your missile into my pussy?”
I’m not much of a preacher and I’m certainly not a saint. But I herewith beg of you, because I do care – Don’t fuck with your life. Be safe. Play safe. Get yourself tested today, and please, always use protection. I’ll put it simply to you – its your life, your canvas. Don’t leave stains you can’t remove.
I support World AIDS Day, and I hope you will too. Show your support with a World AIDS Day twibbon created by my peeps.
Front and main page images courtesy of Ads of the World
Pat Law™ is a Digital Strategist who, in her time in the Adland, has marketed a range of global brands including adidas, Cadbury Schweppes, Chrysler, Harley-Davidson, Hewlett-Packard, Johnnie Walker, L’Oréal, and Royal Salute. Pat also writes for iSh, LOTL International, and Singapore Architect.
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i applaud your courage + goodwill to write this. well done. =)
Wow Pat, that’s a pretty honest sharing stuff like that here. I guess some things needed to be said and I do hope people really understand the ultimate message for this.
hugs
Thanks for sharing.
I must be careful cos random girls sometimes force kisses on me. Ew.
Wow euniqueflair. Where can we find these women? LOL. I’m sure us lesbians won’t mind the random kiss or two. Provided she’s hot, of course.
Thanks Hamie. Been a while since I’ve seen you here. How have you been?
Hey Sham. Yeah, I was contemplating for the longest time if I should reveal this much about myself… and then it dawned upon me that I have the privilege of reaching out to the younger readers. I’m not sure what sort of difference I can really make as an individual, but I’m willing to give it a shot, at very least.
I almost think its redundant to get people who don’t fuck, to talk about the consequences of fucking, you know? Like any of us sexually active people would bother to listen.
thanks for sharing,
glad to hear the outcome.
stay safe friend. SAFE people, SAFE!
Hi Pat,
I visit your blog daily + your Tweeter, just, I’m not very vocal. Me thinks you know who I is + me think you sometimes visit me blog also. Hahahahaha…….
I’m good, doing me own business. Thanks for your regards, catch up for some teh (kopi-gao for you, me know) if you’d like. I read that you don’t readily catch up with blog readers. =)
*friendly squeak*
Hamie
I love this entry. I have re-tweet this twice!
I have to admit that this is the first time, I read a bog entry TWICE, as well.
It is that interesting.
I fully support World AIDS Day twibbon.
Take care!
Honestly, I think we’ve all had our periods [no pun intended] – just a matter of how dumb we were. I, for one, had all the fun I [thought I] wanted at 18, then realised that same year [Merciful god] that eh, cold sore virus carriers a plenty, there were many things I could have caught while being with so many guys and girls in the melbourne clubs.
I couldn’t [and still can't] imagine a weeping sore near my lips, so it stopped there and yeah, I’m faithful to just one partner now. No cold sores for me thanks, I’m too vain for that.
I’m happy for you, k. I only wish the rest of us have half as much common sense as you. And yeah, nothing sexy about a weeping sore by the lips (both lips).
Harlow Sharithstar,
Welcome to my blog!
I’m really thrilled to hear that you like the entry… took me a lot to even reveal this much about me. But so long as its for a good cause, all’s worthwhile. Thanks for your kind comments. Made my day.
Hi Pat,
I’m one of the many readers of your blog. It’s becoming a daily fix for me to visit your blog. Thanks for the honest stories that you’ve shared. Certainly provided a wake-up call for those who are advocates of casual sex out there.
Look forward to your next story!
Thanks Pat for sharing – ours is a society that is concerned about weight and appearance, while neglecting our sexual health. Most of the time, we take it for granted the other party is vigilant with their check-ups and is therefore clean. Other times, we just think “I can’t be so suay right” – either way, casual and unprotected sex is just playing with fire.
[...] Since Pat L. did a brilliant piece on this, I’m just going to lazily refer you to her article. Be safe, play safe. [...]
Oh Pat, this was real nice, being open to us readers. Well the experience wasn’t nice… but I like hearing your ‘voice’ like that.
Thanks Melly. Yeah, I do feel vulnerable but all for the greater good!
Thanks for your kind words, Melly. Yeah, I did feel vulnerable publishing this but all for the greater good eh?