Be All That You Can Be

For the past two months or so (technically longer, but that's another story), I have been training to perform HIV tests at a DC clinic. Today was my last day of training, and as of next Friday I will be testing on my own.

AND!

My first day testing all by myself will be on National HIV Testing Day, which I feel is entirely appropriate. I feel like all the little pieces are falling into place. Things are on track. I am doing exactly what I have wanted to do for sososo long. Suddenly, I realize that's not such a scary thing. I can do this, and I can do it well. It's an amazing feeling to realize that you really can make a difference, and in the process, impact an entire community.

(p.s.-- Every test I performed today ended with the patient sincerely thanking me for the work I'm doing. I wanted to hug every single one of them.)

image via i can read

i need a hug.

Today was an incredibly long and hard day. It was painful and heartbreaking, but incredibly enriching and validating at the same time.

What surprised me the most: I did not, even for a second, want to bolt. If anything, it made me realize that this work is important. Sometimes it sucks, and it might break some small part of me, but it is sososo worth it.



p.s., today I performed my first HIV test. Ever. On a real patient. All by myself.



image via ffffound.