A Life of Hope

By Graham Peterson

A Life of Hope is a book written for people who have discovered that they have contracted the sexually transmitted disease Herpes. There are many books out there written by medical professionals who can tell you all the medical details with regards to this common STI. But none of those books, written by these doctors and other professionals, can tell you how you will feel, how it will affect you psychologically and how to deal with the mental anguish that you will inevitably experience. This book has been written on a deeply personal level, with a unique look at life and hope after receiving that horrible, life altering diagnoses. From a very unique perspective from a person who found himself in this very situation and whose first thought was "No-one will ever want to be with me again." The main theme of this book is to tell other sufferers that they are not alone. That there are other people out there who have experienced the same emotions and thoughts that you are now going through, or have been having for years. There are other people out there who understand and that there are tools out there to help you get through this.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Graham Peterson
• Release date: Dec 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370755769

Graham Peterson

Graham Peterson is an average, middle aged man whom, after many years finally found love. Only to have his world turned upside down when he realised he had contracted the herpes type 2 virus.On his journey of discovery, he had to re-invent himself and learn how to deal with the devastating news and how to live his life to the full.Soon realising that there is a lot of information on the virus, however most of the information is from a medical point and not from a human side or personal experience.On his journey Graham decided to become a counsellor and share his experience to help others.

Book preview

A Life of Hope

Living with herpes,

and the stigma.

By

Graham Peterson

"What’s past is prologue,

merely a pathway to a settled soul."

====

Keeping faith.

In yourself and the world.

A guide for everyday people

With herpes.

Content

About the Author

Dedication

Introduction

Quotes

Chapter One The Initial shock

Chapter Two So what is the Herpes type 2 virus

{Genital Herpes}

Chapter Three Shame and embarrassment

Chapter Four A Respected Story

Chapter Five Living your life to the full

Chapter Six Help and Support

Chapter Seven One Year On

About the Author

Graham Peterson is an average, middle aged man whom, after many years finally found love. Only to have his world turned upside down when he realized he had contracted the herpes type 2 virus.

On his journey of discovery, he had to re-invent himself and learn how to deal with the devastating news and how to live his life to the fullest.

Soon realizing that there is a lot of information on the virus, however most of the information is from a medical point and not from a human side or personal experience.

On his journey Graham decided to become a counsellor and share his experience to help others.

A life of hope

Graham Peterson

Copyright @ Graham Peterson 2016

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to my new friends. The people who I have met after realizing I had contracted the herpes type 2 virus. Average people, scared people, who just like me, were devastated at the news and had to re-invent their lives. The X-factor Club as we like to call it, normal average people on a journey of life.

Introduction

This introduction was written by one of my closest friends who I’ve told many things to. Things that I’ve never spoken of before, and who also shares the gift.

This is a book written by a 46 year old man who found his life turned upside down just when it was what he had always dreamed it would be. He had spent 20 years on his own, as a single father bringing up his 2 boys, always dreaming of finding the woman for him.  He had a few relationships during that time but they eventually ended. Although he is still in contact with, and friends with those women. 

At the age of 44 he met a woman. He knew from the first moment he met her that she was something special. It took 9 months of chance meetings & small talk here & there, but eventually they started seeing each other.  

Approximately 6 weeks into the relationship she told him she had herpes. They didn't have sex during this time, but did mess around. This man went home that night, googled the hell out of herpes and because his feelings for this woman were so great he rang her the next day.  Her first words to him were I didn't think I'd hear from you again.  He then said to her, this doesn't change who you are as a person.

Although they were careful and did use protection, there were a few times when they didn't.  (Although he knew the risks, she hadn't had an outbreak at all during this time.) This was due to the way he felt about her and he wanted her to feel special and like a normal person. He was diagnosed with herpes approximately 9 weeks later. 

The