memoirs

My anti-cervical cancer vaccination is finally completed after six months! Yesterday, alone as usual, I gathered all my strength after my daily tasks at work and went to our Nurse’s clinic to have my 3rd and Final Shot! Unlike my first shot, I wasn’t that scared anymore as I know it won’t kill me! but just the thought of that needle piercing through my skin again is making me anxious! I used to have my buddy Sheila to boost my spirit, but now that she’s out in the office, I have to draw courage from my own self! LoL!

Our nurse Maimai was kind enough to ensure me that it’s going to be alright (sounds like a kid on her first visit to the dentist huh!) .. She shared she have the same dilemma in dealing with vaccinations! she said she even cried when she had her first shot! haahahaha! Just when I thought I’m the chicken of all chickens! Anyway, the vaccine stings a bit but it’s just bearable. I tend to talk while she was on it so to diverse my attention and not concentrate on that intense feeling of chemical mixing into my system as she slowly emptied the syringe’s content. Don’t let it scare you…I swear, it’s worth all the pain! I was anticipating of a throbbing arm few hours after the shot but surprisingly I can move my arms and even lift it up unlike the first time I had it. Thank goodness I won against my cowardliness!

I checked out the vaccine used and saw it’s Cervarix. Cervarix is a vaccine against certain types of cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV). It is designed to prevent infection from HPV types 16 and 18, which currently cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases. Type 16 is also associated with oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma, a form of throat cancer. Additionally, some cross-reactive protection against virus strains 45 and 31 were shown in clinical trials.Cervarix is also formulated with AS04, a proprietary adjuvant that has been found to boost the immune system response for a longer period of time.Cervarix is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. An alternative product, from Merck & Co., is known as Gardasil.

I encourage all women out there to protect yourselves from this deadly virus!