4.5 years after treatment for cancer

[dropkickpa]

I've finally cleared the HPV 16 virus to the point that it's undetectable. A huge weight off my mind, I'll tell you. I've lived in fear for the last 4.5 years because, even though the cancer didn't reappear, my HPV tests showed that the virus was still present. Now it is undetectable.

I always have my blood pressure taken 2 times, once right before my yearly, and once I receive the results of my PAP, because it is MARKEDLY increased until I get the results, which made my doctor very concerned until we figured out it was the stress elevating it. I go from having 110/70, which it is always at even when I was in labor, to 140/90.

Darn tootin' Dropkid is getting vaccinated the minute she's old enough, I don't want her to ever have this hanging over her head, and I'll do everything in my power to lower her chances.

Today is a good day.

[Benhurst]

1. Congratulations

and best wishes!

:hi:

[dropkickpa]

3. Thanks!

:bounce:

[Just-plain-Kathy]

2. Wow!! Great news for you!!

Stay healthy!! :hi:

[dropkickpa]

4. Thanks!!

I have occasionally wavered in my decision to treat conservatively (excision of the cancer) rather than go whole hog at age 26 and have a hysterectomy, and this helps me feel a lot better about that decision. I'll still be a bit scared for the rest of my life, but this makes it a WHOLE lot less scary.

[Old and In the Way]

5. Great to hear!

Cancer free myself for 5 years or so.

PS - I got a chuckle over your pic....I can only imagine what terror lies behind the mask! :-)

[dropkickpa]

7. LOL, not a mask, hours of painstaking painting

on a 4 year old who had trouble sitting stil for two minutes at a stretch :banghead:

Congrats to you!!

[wtmusic]

6. Rock n roll DKP!

That is great news. Treat yourself to something fun tonight.

[madrchsod]

8. good news...one thing to worry about!

[housewolf]

9. Congratulations!

What a terrific milestone. Hooray!!! Hooray for you!

I'm sure you are breathing easier now.

As a 30+ year cancer survivor myself, I am heartedly happy for you.

:party: :party: :party:

[lizerdbits]

10. Excellent!

I wish insurance didn't have an age cut off for the vaccine, otherwise I'd have it already. I'll have to shell out about $500 now. Of course it's worth it if I'm exposed to one of those strains (as I'm sure you'd agree).

[dropkickpa]

11. Oh yeah

I'm seriously debating getting it just for protection from HPV18 (never tested + for this strain), but it is a hunk of cash.

[Celebration]

12. be careful about that

There are all kinds of strange interactions of these different HPV types, the vaccine, etc. I think it might be counterproductive to get the vaccine if you already have the virus. Be sure to check all the ins and outs of that.

Congrats!