The biopsy

Continuing from where I left off.... My appointment was made and I was preparing myself for what was to come. In the two weeks leading up to my procedure, I feverishly researched not only HPV, but the LEEP procedure and cone biopsies. I then had my doctor fax my biopsy results to me so I could consult a gynecological oncologist as several people have referred me. I called 16 GYN/ONC before I found a nurse that would answer one simple question for me: "Here are my test results, here is what my doc is suggesting. Is this the typical next step or are there other options and should I come to you for those?" And yes, you saw the number right, 16 different offices. At that last office, the nurse reassured me that my doctor was on the right path and there would be no reason for me to go there unless my margins did not come back clear. What I found during my research shocked and amazed me. By the age of 50, 80% of the world's women will have had some type of HPV infection. There are over 100 different strains of HPV, 15 of which are known to cause cervical cancer if not treated, 70% of those cervical cancer cases are caused by only 4 of the 15 strains; they are classified as high risk. The 4 high risk strains are what the vaccine Guradasil helps to protect against. In this vaccine lies one very big problem. Not only are patients being misinformed, but so are doctors, as to who should be receiving the vaccine. Harald zur Hausen is the German man who discovered the link between HPV and cervical cancer. Zur Hausen believes that children as young as 9 should start getting vaccinated, both girls AND boys! The age should also be lifted to above 17, but ONLY IF THERE HAS BEEN NO SEXUAL ACTIVITY. If you already have an HPV infection, the vaccine is pointless. While HPV is not diagnosable in men, it is still believed that it rarely causes genital cancer for men as well.
During all of my research, one thing shouted out to me, this is the #2 cause of cancer in women world wide, yet it seems no one knows about it. I did research on the support ribbon for it. There is no "official" color, though most prevalent is a teal and white combination. The NCCC ( National Cervical Cancer and HPV Coalition) is putting it up for vote and will release the decision in January, which happens to be Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (Are you aware of this? I sure wasn't!) As we all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Breast Cancer "Owns" the color pink. When you see pink, you know what it stands for. So far this month, dozens of monuments WORLD WIDE have been lit in pink to show support, including our own White House on October 7th. Web sites have "gone pink" or displayed large pink ribbons on their page, stores have entire aisles dedicated to pink support products. M&M's "goes pink" for October, there are walks and marathons, concerts and benefits, the list is endless. My goal is to help make cervical cancer just as prevalent as breast cancer.
Our fights are hard, our fights are long, and our fights are ignored by so many in the medical professional field. I have found so many stories of women who were told word for word "You are too young to have cancer." Cervical cancer can be "cured" quicker than any cancer can, if it is caught in time, yet every year 250,000 women die of it. And most of all, cervical cancer has a vaccine! A vaccine that can help prevent around 70% of those deaths, and countless more from ever getting one of the 4 high risk HPV strains. No other cancer can say that. While the vaccine cannot protect form all cervical cancer, and should not be used to replace your yearly PAP, think of how many women could be saved from cervical cancer and pre-cancer.
Since my diagnosis, I have felt a whirl wind of emotion, from shame, fear and anger to resentment and relief. I have made it my duty to educate not only myself, but my family and friends on HPV and cervical cancer. I have found that several of my friends have HPV, and a few of them have been right where I am right now. I have realized that there is NOTHING for me to be ashamed of. There is nothing for any woman diagnosed with HPV to be ashamed of, it is one of the most prevalent STD's out there, and the fact that the medical world is just now sharing this with us appalls me. We are all but just one person, but if we unite and raise our voices, we will be heard, and eventually we will no longer be ignored. I hope that you will raise your voice with me and educate yourself, your friends and family about what is going on, and help me spread the word to those that have not heard us yet. The life you help to save today may help you save your own later. If even just one women reads my story and goes and gets checked because of it, I have accomplished part of what I hope to accomplish, and what I have gone through is worth it.
Getting pregnant saved my life. Because my daughter is here today, I will be here for tomorrow.