How did he get this cancer? HPV and what you should know. . .

~ JamieCimoli
Talking to Cheyenne the other day about Kevin’s cancer and it occurred to us that there is so much misunderstanding of this cancer.
I am trying to be as vocal about this as possible because there are so many misconception with HPV cancer. Even Cheyenne and Shelby  were afraid to ask, and thought that I must have HPV, too. If I have had it, I’m not the type to be afraid to admit it. I’ve had a lot of friends share with me recently that they have had  it at one time or the other. I’ve even had  people share that they recently had positive results, then tested again a few months later, and had negative results. Their docs said it was a ‘flair up’ and they don’t need to worry.
80% may have had HPV: According to stats, 80% of the population has had HPV at one point in their life. Because there are no symptoms in the majority of cases, someone may have no idea they have it. Also, just because you don’t have it now, doesn’t mean you haven’t had it in your lifetime.I truly believe it is not just oral sex that spreads HPV. Too many cases of woman who have said they have had HPV throat cancer without ever having oral with another woman.
HPV is not an STD: It considered a sexually transmitted infection. Kevin most likely had it over 20 years ago, but that is only a guess. He never had symptoms. Men’s immune systems take approximately 4 years to clear it, and women’s about 2 years.  I think that’s because, obviously, women are tougher- LOL
Dormant HPV: After your immune system clears the infection, you test negative for it. Doctors now understand it actually lays dormant for a lifetime. It is very similar to chicken pox and Shingles. If your immune system is down, it can reactivate for a short time. I had chicken pox when I was 3 years old, then had Shingles when I was 35 due to stress and working too many hours.
Kevin’s Cancer: Well, we had the flu in December, which brought Kevin’s immune system down. Both tonsils flared up with tonsillitis. As soon as his immune system got rid of the flu, HPV flare up was gone too. Problem is, it left cancer cells in the one tonsil.
Do I Have it? With all my thyroid issues at such a young age, I am always been on top of getting my annual exams, and have never tested positive for HPV. But really, there is no certainty. I asked if I personally needed to be checked, and the doctor said no, that it’s not transmittable at that point.
What makes this cancer so scary is so much lack of information! People are embarrassed to say what it is caused by HPV. Many couples face their fight with this cancer in silence, embarrassed to explain what caused it. They may be confused on how they ‘got’ this cancer, or struggle with insecurities with previous relationship issues. Thankfully, Kevin and I have none of those issues. We knew from day one this had to be something acquired previous to our getting together, and we don’t waist our energy on the “‘why’ or ‘where did it come from’. That’s wasting energy needed that is better spent fighting this cancer.
I’m encouraging parents to vaccinate their kids for HPV. I had no idea boys could get the vaccine for HPV until recently. Women can have fertility issues and it is the leading cause of cervical cancer for women. Most people don’t admit it’s HPV though, so the cycle of misunderstanding will continue.
Reality is, it takes only one sexual partner to contract this virus. I know a few generations believed that oral sex didn’t “count” and still considered themselves virgins. Well, in that case, even a ‘virgin’ could potentially contract this virus that could effect her ability to have children. Or, a young man could pass this on to his new wife, even if he has not had vaginal sex with a woman. Years later, one of them could have HPV caused cancer that could leave a marriage in peril, creating trust issues.  It’s nobody’s ‘fault’ if we all understand that this could happen, to literally, 80% of us. It just happened to have happened to my husband. Come on, it’s not like people aren’t having sex. It’s a healthy part of life, that in a very minute amount of cases, can have an unhealthy consequence. Let’s be serioise though, none of us are gonna give it up. Just like we buy produce from the grocery store that has been grown with pesticides, or beef that has been treated with antibiotics or hormones, or order coffee that now have the new warning label, “May cause cancer.”
I guess that’s our calling in all of this, to share our experience and possibly educate others . . .
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Published by JamieCimoli

Hmm- write something about myself huh? I'm everything everyone didn't expect me to be, and more than they ever thought I could be.

11 thoughts on “How did he get this cancer? HPV and what you should know. . .”

  2. Jamie you are all that I knew you would become and yes more. I love you and wish you and Kevin and all of your children all the wonderful things that life has to offer.

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  3. We were told same thing by our oncologist and radiation oncologist that anyone who is sexually active will have at some point been in contact with HPV.
    Our story is almost identical. Dave was sick in December, we blamed his night sweats to his flu bug, Dr said that should have been our first warning sign. Then his ears were plugged …again thinking this was part of his flu bug.
    I am so disappointed we have to be going through this treatment but happy our journey has led me to you both ❤️ Hope Kevin is managing ok this week.

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  4. Thank you for sharing and for the willingness to be so open and honest so that we all can learn from this. You and Kevin are amazing…Stay strong my friends! 😘💕

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  7. I am so thankful to have found your blog! My children are 11 and 12 and have both received their first HPV vaccination. They have the second one in five months. I did my research. It amazes me to hear a parent friend say, “I opted to not have my daughter vaccinated.” You want to know why?? Ignorance and lack of research.
    Kevin’s story is one that everyone needs to read to help be more informared!
    Thank you for sharing your experience ❤

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