Eddie Elias - August 19, 1984

Eddie was my client at GMHC. He was Hispanic, in his 20's. He lived in Chelsea, but somehow ended up in Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx. I think because it was the closest hospital that was taking AIDS cases.
He was so tired. His wife left him and moved to California. She was insulted that I asked if she was dumping him on GMHC's door. I visited him a few times. Contacted his Social worker. It was pretty hopeless in 1984. There was nothing really to be done but waste away. They would stabilize him and release him, which meant that if he kept his fever down for 48 hours, he would be sent home. It was an expensive ordeal for the hospital, providing a private room so as not to infect or be infected by other patients.