British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society Newsletter Issue #98 August/September 1997

4 WELCOME TO THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ross Harvey has been appointed the Executive Director of the British Columbia Persons with AIDS Society 4 IN MEMORIAM GORDON DONALD GUSS JANUARY 24, 1946 - JUNE 13, 1997 5 VICTORIA HIV/AIDS CENTRE Victoria has a new tri-agency HIV/AIDS Centre. The Victoria Persons with AIDS Society, AIDS Vancouver Island and the Victoria AIDS Respite Care Society are the new Centre's three partner agencies. 6 TASTE ALTERATIONS How to enjoy the taste of foods more. Many people living with HIV/AIDS experience either a loss of taste acuity or abnormal taste sensations. Here is a primer on the taste function and tips to increase your enjoyment of foods when taste abnormalities are a problem. 7 BORDERS ON MADNESS American policy banning people with HIV from entering the USA. 9 BCPWA ADVOCACY UPDATE The CPP Crisis. New Hope with Schedule C. 13 SUMMER FICTION "Parting Gifts" by Kevin Isom 16 CARE AND FEEDING OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM Better self-care -- psychological and physical -- might extend your life. 18 ATTENTION TO MAGNESIUM LEVELS Symptom of magnesium deficiency include muscle weakness, depression and vertigo/dizziness. Low magnesium levels appear to contribute to low calcium levels. 19 INTERPRETING YOUR LAB RESULTS Complete Blood Count (CBC). Red Blood Cell Count (RBC). White Blood Cell Count (WBC). Hemoglobin. Hematocrit. Mean Cell Volume (MCV). Platelets. White Cell Differential. Cholesterol. Amylase. CPK or CK. Liver Function Tests. Kidney Function Tests. Lymphocyte Subsets. 22 RE-ENTRY INTO THE WORKFORCE PROJECT At an International Conference in Amsterdam - a member's overview. BCPWA's Human Resources Coordinator attended the 3rd International Conference on Home and Community Care for People Living with HIV/AIDS and reports on the BCPWA's presentation and how the BCPWA benefits from the conference. POSITIVELY HAPPENING. Centre pull-out section. Calling the Pacfic AIDS Resource Centre, More Place to Call, Vancouver Services, Classified, Volunteer Opportunities, Vancouver Weekly, BC Groups & Programs