"cervical cancer" vaccine

Ok, so I need to rant about something that has been bothering me lately. Recently, the FDA approved a vaccine for HPV. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that causes rather unpleasant symptoms for both genders. Some strains of the virus can cause cervical cancer in women. Currently, the government is recommending that all preteen aged girls get the vaccine, before they are sexually active. The media has been covering this extensively, but many things have been bugging me about this issue:

1) IT IS NOT A CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE! Grrr. This widely used phrase bugs me and creates misconceptions. You absolutely cannot immunize against cancer. It is possible to still get cervical cancer even if you do not have HPV.

2) The vaccine does not protect against all strains of the virus, so it is still possible to get HPV. The vaccine provides immunity to the most common and the most virulent strains of the virus, so it dramatically reduces your chance of contracting the disease.

3) I have read in several articles that "if you are already sexually active, it is pointless to get the vaccine." Ok, this is dumb.  It is pointless to get the vaccine IF YOU ALREADY HAVE HPV. Not all people who are sexually active have HPV. In fact, those who are sexually active who don't have HPV should definitely get the vaccine because they have an increased risk of contracting it! This logic only makes sense if you are in a monogamous relationship and both partners plan to be for the rest of their lives.

4) Everyone talks about how every girl should get the vaccine. What about the guys? Males with HPV still have unpleasant symptoms and can pass on the virus. From a public health standpoint, it makes no sense to only vaccinate only one gender against a sexually transmitted disease. If we want to eradicate, we need to vaccinate EVERYONE.

5) Having said all of that, I am not entirely sure everyone should rush out and get this vaccine. It isn't perfect yet, as some articles would have you believe. Serious side effects have been observed. Long term side effects are unknown. Because it is a new vaccine, no one knows how long immunity will last. It is at this time unclear if the vaccine provides lifelong immunity, or if periodic booster shots are required.

Sigh. I think I am done now.

Currently Listening Hotel California By Eagles see related

Don't let it snow!

It freakin snowed last night. Enough to cancle school so I'm stuck with my sister today. Enough to unfortunately cancle my doctors appointment, which I desperately needed. I effin hate snow.

Why do I hate snow? I can hear some of you asking. Two weathery things make my back sore: cold weather and precipitation. Snow is the combination of both of those. I am in so much pain today it is rediculous. I really needed to go to my doctor today so he could see me at my worst.

Some school things aren't working themselves out. It's rather stressful. I don't need to worry about freakin school right now. I need to concentrate on making me better. I need to go see Dr. Martin!

I effin HATE this.

My Therapy

  My cousin Lonnie and I made this into a powerpoint with all the pictures and the song "You Are My Sunshine" in the background for my grandpa's funeral.

Lessons my Papo taught me

1)  Always eat your veggies so you can grow up pretty like Papo

2) When your team is on TV you MUST be in front of the set. Being awake the entire game is optional.

3) Ballet instructors wouldn't need to make those poor girls stand on their toes all the time if they just got taller girls.

4) "Plum" is not a fruit. It's an adverb.

5) Always use good manners. Whenever you burp, make sure to say "thank you"

6) When a loved one gets hurt, sometimes they just need someone to cry with

7) My gymnastics coaches were wrong. THIS is how you do a handstand:

8) Getting older is mandatory. Maturing is optional.

9) When Granny was around, we were angels,

But when Papo was in charge...

10) Never let any situation deprive you of your sense of humor

I love my Papo and I miss him but everything is going to be ok.

I did not make it home in time to see Papo one last time. He passed away at about 9 PM today. I'll be going home tomorrow. Not sure when I'll be back.

There so much time and so little to do! Wait, scratch that, reverse it.

So much to do, so little time. I really need chill time. I have taken a few breaks to catch up with friends, cuddle, as well as establish relationships with new ones, and that has been wonderful. Thats really what is keeping me sane right now. Because a lot of stuff is trying to push me over the edge.

My grandpa is dying. After fighting lymphoma like a champ and astounding doctors with his body's resiliance, we are beginning to lose the fight. Doctors say there isn't anything else they can do. I'm not ready to let him go yet. Its purely selfish, he's ready, but none of the people around him are prepared for that quite yet. My Mom told me that upon suggesting talking to another doctor and getting a second opinion and continuing the fight, my Papo said "Vicki, I'm tired. Can you blame me? Maybe in a week or so I'll decide I want to try to fight it, but right now, I don't want to. I'm just tired." My parents don't want me to come home until Thanksgiving break, but I don't know if I (or he) can wait that long. I HATE being in Sherman while this is happening. I am surrounded by a lot of love here and everyone has been wonderful when I have had a few breakdowns, but I really just want to be by his side. My Papo is kinda my hero.

I really need to just get as much as I can done early just in case I need to leave at a moments notice. And I have a lot to do. So I better get to work.