b'THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE ARE WAITINGLUCIAS husband was diagnosed first. Hed been rapidlyShe also has peace of mind knowing Vivent Health haslosing weight and getting sicker by the day. But it was stillher back. Shes accessed multiple services through our a surprise to find out he was positive for HIVand thatmedical home, including medical care, pharmacy, case Lucia was too.management, legal services, and insurance support. It was 1994 and she was living in her home country of If everyone werent at one place, it would be hard,Mexico. And over the next year, she watched her husbandshe says. Im working and I probably wouldnt haveslowly waste away and die. He was an abusive and crueltime to do everything I need to, and I probablyman, and even though she doesnt like to say it, part of wouldnt be doing as well as I am now. Im really her felt relieved to be free of him. But another part of herglad Vivent Health is here to help me. wondered if this was what lay in store for her too.Recently, a major piece of the puzzle fell into place I stopped thinking about the future, she says. I didnt after months and months of preparation, Luciathink I had one. I thought I was going to die.passed her citizenship exam and officially becameBut her husbands family wouldnt let her give up. Theyan American citizen. And the first phone call sheknew to get the best medical treatment possible, she made was to the person who had helped her study:would have to leave home. So she left everything she her insurance coordinator at Vivent Health. knew and moved to the United States, eventually Not everything is perfect. She misses herlanding in Coloradoand at Vivent Health.family in Mexico, some of whom sheAnd her life is more beautiful than she ever would have hasnt seen in a decade. And even thoughimagined it could be.her husband and children know herHIV status, shes scared to tell anyone She didnt think shed ever get married again because else for fear they would judge her. nobody would accept her HIV statussomething she Theres a lot of ignorance, she says. believed right up until she met the love of her life, But still, Lucia is at peace. And shes whom she married and had a child with. (Both her enjoying every minute of the life she husband and child remain HIV-negative.)didnt think she could have.What-ever is past is past, she says. The Shes in great health and often forgets shes even present and the future are waiting.sick. I just feel so amazing, she says. I feel like anormal person.Lucia Vivent Health Patient Since 2019'