The H.P.V. Diaries Part 2: My H.P.V. Explained

Img. source Unsplash / Pawel Czerwinski

CONTENT & TRIGGER WARNINGS

Cancer, HPV, HPV related cancer mostly cervical and a description of a medical procedure which is marked by *graphic* before and after.

I am aware not all women have vulvas and not all vulva owners are women. I do not wish to upset or offend anyone, I am not comparing my situation or diminishing anyone else’s, I would just like to share my experience.

 This is not medical information, this is just a less traumatising, more factual version of ‘The HPV Diaries Part I’.

Because I can’t read my own story objectively, I can’t tell if it is confusing or not. I know results and procedures and some of the “why”’s aren’t explained but that’s because I didn’t have them explained to me. I was lucky enough to be in high school when HPV immunisations were rolled out under the National Immunisation Program. At the time that meant nothing to me except getting out of classes and getting a lollypop. I’m sure they would have told us all about HPV but all I remember is being like, ‘it’s a needle so I don’t get cervical cancer’. Wrongo. The immunisation protects you from the strains that most commonly cause or are associated with HPV related cancers and cervical cancer.

I got a hard copy of my referral and did a little googling, so this isn’t medical advice or scientifically researched, blah, blah, blah, disclaimer, disclaimer, disclaimer. The following is my ‘NCSP (national cervical screening program) HPV & Cytology Report’.

HPV 16: Not detected
HPV 18: Not detected
HPV Other: DETECTED  - That’s a handy note, as there are over 100 strains of HPV

High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) - wot
Endocervical component: Present

RESULT: HIGHER RISK FOR SIGNIFICANT CERVICAL ABNORMALITY

What does this all mean?

From what I can wrap my head around, HSIL is precancerous cells. My understanding is whatever strain of HPV I have/had, my body didn’t pick up on it and fight it off by itself. That strain has then caused cells to become “abnormal” and to a point where they have become, or were close to becoming, HSIL aka (?) precancerous. Here is a fun pic I found on the webs.

That is obviously not ideal, so going to the gynaecologist and having that confirmed, the next step is removing those cells. This procedure/ the procedure I just had is called ‘large loop excision of transformation zone’ or LLetz. *graphic* Basically it is a wire loop carrying an electrical current, that they use to slice off the affected cells/tissue of the cervix, spew. *graphic over*. The removed tissue is then also tested, meanwhile the procedure has triggered the body into fighting off the infection as it is healing the operated area. I think. I mean I’m pretty sure my gyno said that after my procedure but I was also violently shaking and thinking about my vagina sooo…

YEAH, currently, my lil cervix is healing away and I am waiting for the results from the removed tissue and surprisingly, I am kinda chill about this. I don’t feel stressed, spiralling into thoughts of cancer, I am just normal. Well... I mean… what is normal?

In summation, here’s a pic of me as a kid, being fucking cool.

yessss biiiiitcchhhhh.