First let me say Im a bit angry right now, FURIOUS I should say!
I am always looking for information about HPV and Cervical cancer so I can learn more and share it with all of you. Today I came across this Post that was discussing the bad things about the vaccine. While I am not a "proponent" of the vaccine per se I do like to share my story because I think it is an important factor one should consider when deciding if the vaccine is right for them.
I was absolutely shocked when I got this e-mail in response:
Hi, Meaghan.
Thanks for your comment on my blog. Normally I would just pass approve it and move on, because I'm interested in broadcasting both sides of the story, but this time I feel very ambivalent about it. The view you express seems to be that girls should take the vaccine because it could happen to them anyway, despite the true statistics - and you are using your experience to justify that. I don't want to sound callous, but we all get in cars every day knowing there's the possibility we could have a serious accident through no fault of our own, yet we don't condemn bouycott the roads.
I'm interested in actual genuine research, not the voicing of one person's misfortune used to justify the mass medication of the youth. Here are some things that we know:
(a) Most cervical cancer is caused by HPV.
(b) Most HPV is sexually transmitted and therefore avoidable with careful monogamous relationships.
(c) The media are grossly misrepresenting the risks to young people
(d) Vaccines contain mercury and are harmful to people, and should be
avoided unless "necessary."
The big question is how necessary is necessary. And on that you and I clearly differ.
Could I get lung cancer even though I don't smoke? Yeah, it's possible. If there was a lung cancer vaccine, would I take it? Hell, no. When vaccines do harm, it is not as simple as take the vaccine anyway because you just might get cancer.
My own suspicion is that pharmacuticals are big business, and what we are seeing here is the mass medication of our youth for profiteering at the tax-payer's expense.
I don't want to sound mean or unfair, but as someone who works in a school, this issue is close to my heart, and I can't justify publishing the unmerited fear that your comment generates - fear that is not in line with known facts.
I'm really sorry it happened to you. Genuinely. And I wish you well.
Darryl
http://www.darrylsloan.com
So my bloggy friends I ask you to please tell me what you think! And...please tell Darryl what you think too. In fact here is his email: darrylsloan@gmail.com
Honestly I already wrote him back and gave him a piece of my mind but because im still fuming I thought I would blog about it and maybe that would make me feel better! Im very sensitive about my cancer and this actually hurt my feelings.
And....anyone who knows me knows that I do not preach or stand on a pedestal telling others what to do. All I did was invite Darryl to read my blog and to "meet" someone who has experienced Cervical Cancer. That its something that can happen. I can't believe he wrote that he is interested in telling the other side.....GRRRRRRRRRRR!
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32 comments:
I think the vaccine is a great thing and we are lucky to have it. I don't for one second think that this is just a pharmaceutical company scheme to turn a profit. And Darryl should do his research a monogamous partner may not be enough to keep you protected against this particular disease. Sorry you had to deal with this. : )
I have been with my husband since 1999, and October 22, 2008 was just told that I have early stages of cervical cancer due to HPV. My husband and I have always been monogamous, even in other relationships we had before we met. Darryl is a moron, and is basing his advise off of his opinion, just the way he accused you of doing.
Meaghan, I personally know a lot of people who would say that to give a girl the HPV vaccine is giving her a pass to have unprotected sex. I've been a bit on the fence about vaccine for my own daughter -- mostly because it was new, and there were still unknowns. Because of your story, I'm convinced that my daughter, who's 13, needs to have the vaccine. She could be a virgin till her wedding night, but that doesn't mean she'll marry a guy who's a virgin too.
Also, I don't share my story often, but I had an abnormal pap smear after I had my first child. I'd been a virgin till my husband and had been monogamous. I had a cone biopsy, and that was the end of that. Who knows if not for that abnormal pap smear I'd have had cervical cancer, but it certainly looked that way.
As for being mad at Darryl, don't waste your energy. Just do what you do best -- tell your story on your blog in hopes that you can prevent one more from going through was you did.
Mr. Man wants to know if you would like him to go beat the guy up.
Penises get put in lots of places before and after the person they are attached to becomes 'married.' The guy has a nice accent, but the words coming out of his mouth are vomit.
I can't believe a man who says he wants to "Share both sides of the story" would completely disregard what you have to say, as a woman who SURVIVED cervical cancer. Obviously, the only thing he is interested in presenting is HIS opinion, and his own conspiracy theories in relation to big pharmacutical companies. Unbelievable. I love how he tells you he works in a school, so this is a subject "close to his heart." YOU survived cervical cancer - I don't know how much closer to anyone's heart it can get.
You do a wonderful thing by sharing your blog and encouraging people to be their own advocate. This man is doing just the opposite by stating the media are "grossly misrepresenting the risks to young people." Think about the woman in your post who tried to be her own advocate in England, but is now living with a terminal form of cancer because she was told that she was not at risk due to her age. I can't believe he is so blinded by his own opinion that he can't even look at facts in a biased matter.
Don't let this man sap away the positive energy that you place out there for so many people to embrace.
If I wasn't fuming so much right now for you, I'd leave a comment for him; though, I'd rather wait til I have cooled down so that I can present to him some FACTS, rather than just my raw emotion.
Thanks for sharing this with us!
I WAS in a monogamous relationship with my husband of 20 years. Too bad HE wasn't in a monogamous relationship with me. I had no idea. I'm no longer married to him, but I can always thank him for giving me HPV which became Cervical Cancer 3B. I wish I had had access to the vaccine when I was young. Darryl has his head up his ass.
First off: I think what you are doing is amazing. One of my closest friends had cervical cancer and had to have a full hysterectomy at the age of 26. It broke my heart to see all the pain she went through physically and emotionally.
Darryl is an idiot if he thinks a monogamous relationship will prevent cervical cancer. As you can see from what everyone else is saying. No matter how monogamous you are does NOT decide how monogamous your boyfriend or husband is.
I agree he is an idiot! I am an RN and my own daughter will be getting the vaccine if I ever have a daughter! I had the vaccine in college right after my 19 year old cousin got diagnosed with cervical cancer. There will always be risks with anything you do but if I can avoid something I am for it! That is not saying that it is 100% effective but your chances of getting it are decreased.
Regardless of my stance on the issue, I think the real problem for me...after reading what he says, is that he's a man and looking at 'facts' and 'stats' and that's bothersome, as a female. I wish you all the power to educate people and give your side of the story, obviously he's only giving his side. I hope blogging made you feel better. :)
I discovered the hard way that people who blog and claim to want to engage in intelligent discussion often really just want a soapbox for their own views. I can only imagine how frustrating this must be for you. Just remember that there are a lot of people out there who you can help by sharing your story and keep doing it, even when you want to throttle others! :)
Hey Darryl...you know what? While kids and their health may be close to your heart, you need to get your facts straight.
According to the CDC, this vaccine contains no mercury.
Even people who are monogomous get HPV. Don't believe me? I'll put you in touch with my friend Heather.
And until you have gone through your own battle with a cancer that has a vaccine--then you can give your two cents.
Meaghan kicked cancer's ass. What did you do besides post a youtube video?
seriously Im mad and this is not even me. I believe we all have the power to make our own decisions. And if someone wants to take the vaccine they will. And truthfully the good thing about marketing the vaccine is it makes people AWARE of the possibilty of cervical cancer! It makes them THINK. And that my friend, is a great thing!
And on another note, I truly believe that darryl has no clue. And is insensitive and Ohhh im irritated for you!
I am....very disappointed that people are so....misinformed...and lack the ability to see other points of view.... This part stood out to me "The media are grossly misrepresenting the risks to young people"....um no....Do you KNOW how many people I know have HPV?? AND THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE IN MONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIPS- but the partner either didn't know they had it previously, or was cheating on them. I AM a proponent of vaccines....there's this whole scare tactic going on right now- what...do we want diseases like small pox and polio to come back?? STUPIDITY.
Meghan, my Meghan told me about this, I figured I would comment. Lately I’ve been posting on a forum of web designers (like me) and discussing some nerdy conceptual ways to approach designs and clients and was amazed how the original poster was only looking to confirm his/her feelings that he was doing things the "right way". I think Darryl is doing the same. Looking for people to agree with him and ignoring the rest, despite what he might say about being even. He has his agenda and it really won't matter if someone who lives with the problem has a more insightful answer. I think it’s great that you are open about your struggles and it seems to help a lot of people here.
Meaghan, thanks so much for coming by my bloggy world. I thought I'd take a trip on over here...boy, not what I was expecting. Thank you for a reality "slap in the face". You are an inspiration...and I love your honesty and bluntness. I'm going to snoop around for a bit:) Thank you.
Darryl's an idiot with an agenda, and doesn't want to let "two sides to the story" get in the way. As Bugs Bunny would say, "What a Maroon!"
-
I am so grateful to have the choice about whether to vaccinate my now-10 y.o. daughter. I've weighed the pros and cons (can't say Darryl's site was a source..ha!, TALKED TO HER DOCTOR, and am leaning toward the vaccine.
Hey Meaghan,
I left you an award over at my blog. Hope you have a great day!!
Yeah, Darryl wants to tell both sides, alright. His side, and oh yeah, HIS side.
He has his head in the sand.
Hi Meaghan! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Glad you could laugh at my husband's expense. " ) I do it all the time!
Wow! How wonderful that you are a cancer survivor and you can blog about it! I always respect those who can talk about their difficult experiences and share them for others who might be going through the same thing.
As for this guy, he doesn't want your opinion because it doesn't support what he wants to say. I understand what he's trying to say, but as many of your commenters have noted, it is faulty logic.
And the whole thalidomide thing is frankly ridiculous. Thalidomide is a drug, not a vaccine. These are two totally different things.
One is manufactured and one is the actual micro-organism in a delivery method (sometimes they contain mercury, but not all vaccines do). I understand he's talking long-term ramifications, but the risk associated with vaccines is much different than the risk associated with certain medications.
It is too bad it doesn't cover all strains of HPV, but I understand they are working on that. Other than that, I don't have any issue with the vaccine.
Stop back by my blog anytime!
Hey Meaghan, I'm put off by the response you received. While I don't believe in forcing children to receive the vaccine, I don't oppose it either.
None of my tests have ever come back positive for HPV. After being sexually assulted, I requested that my gyne run all possible test each year. However, it is still possible that there was an oversight.
My onco told me that typically when a woman is dx with CC it is just assumed she is HPV positive. I do have issues with that. However, that doesn't mean I am against the vaccine. What I know for sure is that I am now negative for HPV. (saw the results for myself)
One woman I met online told me that she was dx with CC, and was still with her very first partner. Her and her husband have been with only each other, yet she tested positive for HPV. The theory of hpv developing due to promiscuity nearly destroyed their marriage. Neither were unfaithful.
I hope this man will truely open his eyes to views other than his own. If he wants to post both sides...he needs to post the full extent of both side.
I couldn't help myself...I sent Mr. Sloan a response:
Lets assume for a minute that everyone decides to be monogamous for the sake of preventing HPV.
1 in 3 women are raped in their lifetime.
Most rapists don't act out once and stop. Since rape is a highly unreported crime, most rapists are able to assault multiple victims. Lets assume that the rapist has HPV.
1 in 3 women is now at risk for contracting the HPV virus and thus developing cervical cancer through no fault of their own.
Just another side that should be considered.
Wonderful point Joni! AND...you can contract HPV without having sex AND...there is a 70% chance of contracting HPV while using a condom AND...HPV has been poppin up in mouths now...So I guess we should all put ourselves in a bubble!
But I provided all this information to Daryl and he told me that he was only interested in facts not the emotionally response of a person who suffered through cervical cancer....MORON!
Whoa! Seriously?!?! This man isn't worth your energy. You are doing a wonderful thing here- keep on Sista, keep on!
As for this Darryl guy, I have a nice bloggy middle finger for him =)
**LOVES**
Angie
"Nana's Box"
Unfreaking believable! I thought he wanted to broadcast both sides? Darryl is a jackass. I think the vaccine is a blessing. I wish they had one that could prevent breast cancer.
By the way, thanks for entering my giveaway :-)
OMG! THAT PERSON IS A FREAK!!!
IGNORE THEM SWEETIE..CONTINUE ON...YOU ARE FABULOUS!
Meaghan -
I was so sad when I read your blog... the pain was just radiating from your words.
I'm with you. I got my daughter vaccinated this year. Why risk it?
I once had a boyfriend get mad at me for getting a Hepatitis vaccine. I think his words were something like, "What exactly are you planning to go out and do?"
Precautionary measures are never bad. Hang in there!
"Most HPV is sexually transmitted and therefore avoidable with careful monogamous relationships."
I have news for Daryl. I was diagnosed with HPV when I was a VIRGIN! I happened to be the one in three women who was raped and I did contract HPV from my perpetrator. Rape can happen to ANYONE! Because of this reason alone I think we need to have all girls vaccinated. I come from a very conservative Catholic family. I keep thinking that if the vaccine were around when I was younger, would my parents have gotten me vaccinated? It's a moot point now, since it wasn't, however I think people need to stop thinking about how it would be a green light for girls to sleep with anyone they want. There are still plenty of other undesirable STDs out there! Let's try to prevent this one very serious one!
I really wish the vaccine would have been available when I was younger. Contracting HPV has made it harder to get through the trauma of the rape and it is an everyday reminder that it happened. This should be avoided at all costs!
(((((HUGS CAITLIN)))))
I'm sorry that man is too ignorant to realize the impact of his callous statements.
I have no nice words to use here. Some very nasty ones are coming to my mind, but I will spare you all. He's a jerk, an insensitive, narrowminded person. Chalk it up to that and try to forget him if you can.
I have a good friend like a brother to me who has tongue and throat cancer due to HPV. I have also sat in a head and neck cancer support group where I know a woman who lost her tongue due cancer what is HPV related.
So Meaghan when I read this post. I Don't believe he wanted the other side just by what he wrote back.
My thought is he struck a nerve and he knew you would have something to say about it. He was right. But my other thought is people like Darryl are a dime a dozen. You on the other hand by writing your story. Will help so many .So keep writing and put that energy in to your story.
Until Darryl has cancer himself he will not understand the importance of a blog and you speaking out to help others. I wish him no ills. But till you are in the shoes of some that has, if I had the option of my loved ones in the from of a vaccine I would grab it for those I love. My cancer, I am the third generation with it. So for me If I could protect my kids and granddaughter you better betcha I would cover the cost for all of them to get it. If it cut the chances by some margin.
Keep writing Meagan. I love this blog and your spirit. Its those like you who wake others up to keep a check on there health . Young or old no boundries with cancer.
Sadly some people think they are
immune as well as others around them.
Many that read here know that's not true.
My daughter and granddaughter will both have the vaccine.
Thanks for your thoughts and the info put here.
Congrats on being a cancer survivor! You are amazing.
I am not "pro" or "con" on this vaccine, however, I did do a bit of research after a friend of mine mentioned a family friend who died from complications from the vaccine.
I have 3 daughters and of course was interested to research more about it.
Sarah P.
Although the vaccine does help many women, I was devastated to learn that the vaccine has lead to the deaths of at least 3 women in the US and many more outside the US.
I continue to research the facts on both sides.
I don't even know how to respond to this! I get very upset with people who have their heads up their butts. Maybe I have my head up my ass. But I do believe that for the most part drugs and vaccines are made to help. I know I personally would take my risks having the vaccine than dealing with cancer. Of course, I don't know how I would feel if I hadn't had cervical cancer...
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