MR. BAD GUY (ENGLISH VERSION)

IN MY DEFENCE

The lymphocyte cd4 count had dropped respect the earlier analysis. In two months they changed from 258 to 227.

- It's not good news, Enzo -John started looking at him with severity-. You have to be honest. Did you take me at my word? In everything?

Enzo took off a non-existent speck of dust from his pants as he swung his crossed legs. Tarek stared at him not blinking. John too.

- You are like the Gestapo.

- So?

- What do you want me to tell you? Yes, I was five days in Vienna and I didn't recall taking my medication.

- Detail me your habits there. Well, we know you didn't take your medication. What else?

- I crossed the line a bit.

- What does it mean?

- I smoked and drank.

- Doctor, he's still smoking -Tarek couldn't help saying upset.

Enzo looked daggers at him and Tarek made the gesture of a zip on his mouth.

- How much alcohol is that? More than five glasses a day?

- I don't know.

- More?

- Not every night.

- Did you do drugs?

- Some of coke. But not every day. I know I've been bad and...

- No, dear. This exceeds your usual pranks. It's your health. If you don't do what I tell you, there will be bad counts like this. You have wiggle room. If you slide, the problems can multiply. And your liver has fibrosis, not serious but it's not ready to put up with all the HIV medication and on top of that, bad health habits. You shouldn't take it lightly.

- I don't take it lightly.

- This count make things harder. We're trying to keep the HIV virus under control and replace the white blood cells cd4 before start the other treatment against hepatitis. If the count lowers your body will be expose to oportunistic infections. You are a coinfected, Enzo. The situation is tricky.

Enzo was weathering the storm the best he could. In his own way, he could be the humblest person of the world.

- How is your reaction to the treatment? Some side effect?

- I got fever a couple of days.

- You have anemia too. It's very common in HIV sick. How does he eat? -he asked Tarek.

- I am here. You can ask me.

- He eats as usual. Little and bad.

- I've always eaten like this.

- Enzo, I don't care. Your body has two dangerous virus to fight against. You must change your habits as much as you can.

- We are living like a couple of pensioners. We barely go out. Am I worse than two months ago? Is that the summary?

- Well, you are.

- The treatment is not working.

- You don't follow the treatment with responsability. What were we talking about?

- I've just made a 5 days pause.

- Neither 5 nor 1. As long as you live, every day, you must take these pills. Not missing one single day. Are you listening to me?

- I am.

- I'm gonna give to you a diet to get better your anemia as much as it can. You have to normalize your intakes. Pulses, vegetables, fruit, red meat, a lot of water.