“Hello Kitty,
I finished reading “Ultimate Love” about five minutes ago. I apologize for taking so long to finish it. There were so many things in Chip’s life that I related to. I had to put it aside a couple of times in order to confront the painful memories that resurfaced. Having been diagnosed myself in the early 80’s with my mother sitting beside me. The doctor nonchalantly informed us I had AIDS and would probably only live a couple of years.
For the next two years my mom and I experienced the feelings of denial, anger, withdrawal and heartbreak you and Chipper faced also. I was discriminated against by doctors, nurses and dentist during that time which caused my mother to lose faith in the medical professions. In the beginning I had to overcome serious opportunistic infections. Then almost miraculously the AIDS virus went into a remission of sort. That was twenty years ago now and many of the hardships mom and I faced were distant memories. Your book brought them back to the forefront of my mind. For that I am grateful lest I forget the amazing love and devotion my mom bestowed upon me. I didn’t tell my mother about the book because I am going to send her one as a gift. However, I have called her several times since I started reading it just to tell her how much I love her. You are an amazing lady. I appreciate you for sharing your experiences with the rest of the world. I am also grateful beyond words for Chip and others like him who gave their lives in the name of research. I know in my heart it is because of them and God that I am still living and healthy. Thank You Chip!
I will be going to the food pantry in Dallas this Wednesday, April 13, 2005. I hope very much to see you there.
Love,
Larry
