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May 19 is National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and World Hepatitis Day. This blog post is one of a series on the impact of HIV and Hepatitis B in Asian & Pacific Islander communities. As A&PIs, you may not believe that you are at risk for these diseases, but you are. Follow our posts throughout the week for different perspectives and stories from our community.
In May of 2006, I lost the person who loved and supported the most…. my “obaasan” (grandmother in Japanese). She was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent chemotherapy and radiation at the age of 63. Her body was too fragile and was faced with more complications in the following year. This was when she found out she also had liver cancer, which was caused by Hepatitis B.
It was a difficult time for my entire family, but I believe it was even harder for me since I lived with my “obaasan.” She helped me to believe that I could be anything I wanted to be, even if what I wanted to be was the opposite gender. She supported decisions and my lifestyle choices. Coming from a traditional Japanese family, it was unheard of to embarrass the family name by being a “drag queen” or “transwoman.” My obaasan felt differently. She saw it as a blessing for the family and knew that I was the same loving person that she raised.
I believe if she knew her status about Hepatitis B sooner, she may have had a chance with the chemotherapy. By the time the doctors decided to treat the cancer, her body wasn’t strong enough to fight the radiation. She passed away peacefully in my arms in the hospital bed.
My work as an HIV Counselor has taken a passionate turn since then. I realized that educating people about infectious diseases and encouraging my community to know their status, plays a huge factor on recovering from medical treatment. It could be a matter of survival.
This May, I was fortunate to be a part of the Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day event at the Bishop Museum. At this Island Roots event, the Life Foundation educated the community through Slam Poetry, HIV & Hep C 101, and helped to reduce the stigma and shame around HIV and Hepatitis.
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| User | Points |
|---|---|
| curtis | 1928 |
| ebeh | 1161 |
| Madhuri | 1145 |
| erinjerri | 1074 |
| spamfriedrice | 551 |
| oliveoil | 457 |
| Calvin Prashad | 358 |
| JennyG | 281 |
| jenn | 219 |
| chriswong | 155 |
As i was reading your story it touched me to know that you and your grandmother were close. I was the same way with my grandmother. She died of cancer as well, but i am sure what else she may have had. Early detection could have possibly saved her life. Even here in the islands early detection for any type of illness is important because it can save peoples lives. People only meed to make the wise choice and get tested and know their status. Again thank you for the story.
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