In 1985, Wesley woke up with a sore neck. He went to the mirror and found that lymph nodes in his neck were swollen to the size of golf balls on each side. He had been feeling a little under the weather for the past three weeks. He had a sore throat, a runny nose, and he felt very weak and lethargic. Yet, that day it was somewhat frightening to see the swelling in his neck. He decided to run down to the local health clinic to get checked out.

During this time period, a mysterious illness  had been sweeping through the gay community. Being an openly gay man, the attending physician asked him if he would like a new screening exam for the disease, that had just been released in March of that same year. It started as a screening test for the blood supply and he was one of the first few people to be screened, using the test. Wesley agreed and the results changed his life forever. He had been infected with the HIV virus.

Wesley’s initial reaction was one of denial, followed by anger. He was sure that he had acquired the disease from a one night stand he had with a man, he had known for a couple of years prior. However, he would later find out, that the man knew he had the illness and the two engaged in unprotected sex. He was heartbroken, and afraid. Being raised as a Jehovah’s witness, he felt that he was being punished by God for being a homosexual. For one year, he spent life in a state of depression and denial. He started using drugs, and pretty much had given up on life. He had heard of so many people, dying rapidly. Sometimes within a year of being diagnosed, so he assumed that his plight would be the same, and withdrew.

Two years had passed and Wesley found himself, alive and no symptoms of being ill. He had not wasted like he had heard, and seemed as if he were in the best of health. Not even a cold. It is actually a part of the illness. Upon initial infection, a person will experience flu like symptoms; complete with fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, rash and headaches. After that, there is a honeymoon period in which the person may remain symptom free between five and sometimes 10 years. It doesn’t mean that the person can’t still pass the virus along. The virus attacks the T helper cells of the immune system which pretty much makes one susceptible to illness. Two years of this honeymoon, inspired Wesley to desire life. It was now his desire to live life to the fullest and enjoy however much longer, he had remaining.