It was on a Tuesday. The date was January 12, 2009. Like any other morning, I would roll out of bed, go to the bathroom, and then make my coffee. But today was different, instead of my daily morning routine I woke up, rolled out of bed, and prayed. Now I’m not the most religious person in the world but today was different. Today was the day I find out my results from my doctor on whether I really have the AIDS virus or not. Soon after praying, I got up, took a shower and changed my clothes…coffee wasn’t too appealing today. I put on my favorite blue sweater, dark jeans and black boots. My hair was simple, just straight down lying on my shoulders. After a long look in the mirror I headed out the door and into my car for my appointment. The drive there was nerve racking. I almost hit 2 birds without even noticing, I was that out of it.
Before I knew it, I was sitting in the waiting room of the doctor’s office trying to admire the grey walls and carpet. I couldn’t help but wonder when it would be my turn to hear my name so I could head on in and hear my answer. After about 10 minutes, a woman came out reading a manila folder. She was wearing bright pink rimmed glasses and had the blondest hair I had ever seen. She looked up and called the name “Rachel McClaren.” That was me. Hearing her say my name made my heart drop to my knees and break out in a sweat. With fear in my eyes, I slowly got out my chair and followed the lady with the bright pink rimmed glasses and blondest of blonde hair into the room where I would finally get my life or death of an answer (literally). After about 15 minutes the doctor came in. like most other doctors he wore a long white coat. His hair was thin and gray and his face had wrinkles not even my great grandmother would have. After coming in, he sat in his chair and asked me how I was doing and feeling. After the small talk he got right to the point which was why I was even there in the first place. He took my right hand, looked my square in the eye and said “I’m so sorry Rachel.” That was all it took for me to know that I was truly infected with AIDS. I felt the blood rushing to my face as the tears rolled down my cheeks and my heart pounding at a speed so fast, that it almost hurt. I had to get out of there; I didn’t want to be in there for any longer than I had to. The drive home was hysteric; I couldn’t bring myself to stop crying. When I finally did get home I ran inside, kicked my shoes off and literally collapsed to the floor. On Tuesday January 12, 2009, I Rachel McClaren has been diagnosed with the AIDS virus.