Here is Valerie Fortney's column today. Sans photo of me elegantly draped somewhere on Kensington Road.
She's right that I don't want to be roped into a Gardasil debate. But that's because I'm still so under-educated about this stuff. And I'm a little distracted by my own decisions. Let alone other people's decisions.
I will say that I've heard enough vaccine horror stories in general to be wary. (My ex-husband had an autoimmune reaction to a flu shot that he believes led to his first MS exacerbation.) And, although I have no source whatsoever, I've heard that even the creator of Gardasil doesn't think it's ready. So this pilot project for Grade 5 girls freaks me out.
I think education and talking about it is the key. Knowledge is power and all that. That's why I'm blogging this experience. I think we need to shine a light on this virus in particular because we are so far behind the 8-ball on it and it affects so many people.
I am in such a privileged position. My parents are doctors and I get to navigate the health care system with ease. It's like health care nepotism. I am also so incredibly lucky that my lesions are only moderate. I do not have cancer. Others are way worse off.
But my point is this: if I, in my privileged position, can be so ill-informed and have such ridiculous experiences, then anyone can. And maybe everyone does. We don't know. Because no one's talking.
If someone told you that your cervical cells were abnormal because of a virus spread through sexual contact (a.k.a. an STD) would you go blabbing it around? Probably not.
And here I am...shameless. Sheesh. My grandmother reads this for God's sake! But if I can help in some small way be sharing my experiences, it's worth it.
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4 comments:
So how odd is it....that 8 days before my LEEP, the Calgary Herald publishes a story about a young woman using her blog to share her experiences with HPV and cervical cancer.
8 days that I'm trying to make go by as s.....l......o.....w as humanly possible, but to no avail.
I can only hope your grandmother can see past the initial EW and realize that what you're doing is special...if only for making one other Calgary girl feel a little less alone in the process.
Strange. The first time I found out about my "abnormal cells" was when I was getting my divorce in my early thirties...after years of abnormal tests and two years of diddling around at the women's health center, they finally decided to do a LEEP about 6 months ago...I go back for a check up in a few weeks.
What I hate is that feeling you get when you sit waiting for your appointment that makes you feel like you are part of some herd of cattle, you are just a knob that is now part of some huge, impersonal medical system that filters you through as a number rather than a human being.
Oh ladies, you are not alone. I have a feeling there are WAY too many of us out there. Hopefully this bizarre turn of events (like I ever planned on my cervix becoming a celebrity!) can help us get the information we need.
Serafina – please let me know how your LEEP goes. Stay postitive!
Raina – I totally agree. Read about my botched colposcopy a few posts earlier. Lovely. Ugh.
I read Valeries article with great interest. I have 3 daughters, beautiful vibrant young women.When I first heard about Gardasil I asked my doc who advised and gave all 3 the shots. Middle one has had repeat abnormal paps and repeat colposcopy. 25 yrs ago my specialist hooked me up to a canister with freezing cold to burn off the lining of my cervix and left the office for a 1 hr lunch with me lying there that way. Since had polyps removed and now have a cyst they are watching.
I know you know that you are not alone. We must look forward not back. Congrats to you.Keep it up.
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