Dusty’s Mom

The story

Dusty Roy Gaytsoll – 11/13/68 – 6/25/02 Question: If I had it to do over again, what would I do differently? First of all, I was not infected with HIV/AIDS. I was affected. My son had AIDS. At first I was mortified, flabbergasted and all the strong verbs you could think of. Then I cried, prayed, asked God for guidance and understanding, and “He” gave it to me. “He” gave me a route that changed me forever. I lost a 12 year relationship with a man that told me my son could not come home and I could not take care of him, or he was gone. So be it. I moved to the next phase, my son. This young man was ill and needed me, and as I come to find out, so did some others. But he was my son, a child cut from my body. So we settled down for 10 years of groups, doctor visits, medicine changes, lots of tears, a few words of frustration, several I’m worries, and lots of hugs and kisses. Even evictions from an apartment. Over the years our home housed 5 different AIDS patients; Liz, my son’s girlfriend, Tanya a girl from a wealthy Philipino family where sge didn’t fit with her life style, an illegal from Mexico who needed to stay with us until his counselor could get him into a facility, and 2 other gentlemen who needed to stay until they were placed. I learned love, loving, giving, sympathy, empathy, compassion, humbleness, humility, and much more. I’m not saying it was easy because it wasn’t always. Not was it always lots of joy. But we all got through. nd My son died June 25, 2002 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. We went for his 2 chemo treatment. He had lymphoma. It spread through his body 27 days after he was diagnosed. So, what would I do different if I had it to do over again? Nothing! I would go through it pretty much the same way. Oh maybe, a few little changes like knowing what to expect. But all in all I’d do it again. I’m 63, a retired Social Worker just doing what I want to. Caucasian ,Casa Grande, Arizona. ID: ST-MIZ