Offerings

Hi Courtney,

Happy Friday! 

Thank you for offering. You can absolutely share the review anonymously.

I also want to share this with you…I was diagnosed last week with HSV-2.  I was mortified and the gut punch was indescribable.  It was even harder because (2 years after being in a worthless 5 year relationship), I met a guy who I think is wonderful and I’ve been dating for 3 months.  We’ve been talking about perhaps moving to the next step of discussing relationship and with that also a level of intimacy and so I went to get tested.  First, imagine the feelings when hearing that positive result and then that feeling compounded knowing that I needed to share this with the guy I’m dating….

I cried, I felt worthless, I already felt rejection, I felt like I was no longer valuable, I felt like no one would ever want to be with me again or love me and I would just have to be alone.  I’ve researched and read and read and read.  I was even afraid to look on websites about STIs, like as if someone would know I was looking and find out about me and this diagnosis.  I’m mean insane.  Even my son could see the despair on my face and while I didn’t share my diagnosis with him, in that very moment I told him that if I didn’t have the strength that I have, I feel like I’d want to commit suicide.  I’ve been through enough in life.  The intense fear that I was experiencing was just unreal…then I stumbled upon SPFPP…

I read about your organization,  I watched the recording, I checked out your IG, and you may think this sounds crazy, but Courtney, my friend, as quickly as that diagnosis felt like it took my life from me, you/your work handed it right back to me.  Instantly, I didn’t feel alone, I became filled with a confidence about me again and who I am and how that matters more than this diagnosis.  This doesn’t change who I am.  I am bigger than this.  I deserve every happiness and love that there is to have. I am a whole wonderful me outside of having herpes.   I read the excerpts that you posted on your IG of others who’ve had to disclose, and the daunting burden of having to disclose has eased 100 fold.  I am ready for this conversation.  I am empowered to have this conversation.  I am not scared to have this conversation because doing the right thing, will never be the wrong thing no matter how it ends up with me and him.

Courtney, I had to share this with you.  I felt compelled because you need to know how you are touching, moving and impacting lives without even realizing it.

With so much gratitude,

Anonymous