Rebuilding life: the experience of living with AIDS after facing imminent death.

The study described in this article explored how 7 men who believed they were dying from an AIDS-related illness began the process of rebuilding their lives following a course of successful combination therapy. Using constant comparison within and across interviews, three major themes emerged. Back to living was the realization they were going to live. Realizing my life has changed was associated with living with uncertainty, appearing healthy while living with AIDS, and letting go of their preoccupation with physical well-being. Readusting my life was associated with a change in daily routines, reevaluation of their sense of self, questioning their relationships, reengaging with society, and developing new life plans. Findings suggest that these participants felt living had become more difficult.