Terry Beth is a Texas toughass. Ain't nothin' gonna beat her, not AIDS, not nothin'. Although she lives in Seattle (an area with some of the best social health services in the United States), she is faced with difficulty obtaining medication, incompetent case managers and herion junkie homecare workers. Terry Beth of course puts up with none of it and demands respect and decent services from the system.

While seeing his doctor and managing his medications, Barry furthers his personal healing process spiritually. He has constructed a large shrine in his apartment and he frequently meditates and seeks out alternative treatment processes.