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Global Dialogues
Jackie!
Jacqueline!
Jackie!
Why are you crying?
Jackie.
Jackie, please talk to me.
I can't take any more. I've had enough.
Enough of taking pills every day of my life, same time each day.
I've had enough. I can't go on.
I understand.
Do you remember when you wanted to break up with me
when they told us that your test turned out "positive" and mine "negative"?
And do you remember why I wouldn't let you go?
You told me that you love me, and that you wanted to get married regardless of the virus.
Well then.
I love you, my beautiful wife.
I adore you now, and I always will.
You are what makes my life worthwhile.
And I know that the doctors and associations are there to help us find solutions in our situation.
One part of that solution is the ARVs, your antiretroviral medicines.
So they keep telling us.
Because they know it's true.
The doctor put you on ARVs because of the stage your infection had reached.
The result of your tests showed that *** had seriously weakened your body's defenses.
The doctor also stressed that once you start your treatment, you must never stop.
Take your pills on schedule, or else you might get ill,
because so far, AIDS is still incurable.
That's right! I cannot be cured, yet I have to take these pills for the rest of life!
But I feel perfectly fine. Just look at me!
My only problem is the medicines.
I think I've taken them for long enough.
Any disease you've got, you take the medicine you're given, so then you get healthy again,
and you end the treatment. It works that way!
But with *** it doesn't?
Jacqueline! Jacky, I love you.
The doctor said that for the moment
they haven't got a treatment that completely eliminates *** from your body.
But the ARVs are very successful at slowing down the disease's progression
and allowing you to stay healthy, the way you are now.
Have you forgotten how badly you suffered before you started your treatment?
No.
The fact is that your treatment is working.
With ***, you should never stop or change a treatment if it is working.
And I don't have to remind you that there are other medical conditions, like diabetes,
for which people have to take medicines regularly for life, as you do.
So you see, you're not alone. Not nearly.
Yes, whatever. I just can't go on being worried about these drugs' after-effects.
Yes, I understand.
The point is you don't understand. You just can't know!
So, I'll tell you what I do know.
I know that I need you. I know that your family and your workmates need you.
I know that we are all hugely proud of you.
I also know how badly the two of us want a family.
But, tell me why do I have to put up with all this?
Jackie, we're actually lucky.
Lots of people who need the medicine you take do not have access to it.
Every time you see the doctor, he tells you that if you stop taking the pills
you would give the virus a chance to outwit the treatment.
He means you would run the risk of developing a resistance to the medicines you've been taking,
and these medicines would no longer be effective.
In that case, the doctor would be forced to prescribe other ARVs
which for the moment are more costly, IF they are available.
Are you saying I should lose you because I wouldn't have the money for those medicines?
Well then. Nothing is impossible if you have faith.
You must continue with the treatment you're on until medical research finds a better solution.
Who's to say they won't find an answer in the next few years?
Jackie, whatever we do, we must not despair.
You really think I will come through this?
We'll get through it together.
My nose is running.
My telephone's ringing.
Hello, yes? Ah, Jocelyne!
No, I'll be there in 15 minutes, OK?
Tell me, has Adam finished the technical report?
Excellent! Call Elizabeth to confirm the meeting at 10 o'clock.
The proposal has to be in by 5. See you then. Right.
Here, take your medicine.
OK. Bye.
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogues