Get HPV vaccine

This is really really important. I’ll try to get the first shot this week. I heard they’re giving it for free if you’re under 19 (I’ll be 19 in march so I have to hurry up) as a part of a government’s health program, but even if they aren’t, I’ll get it.

I got my final Gardasil shot today, wheee! Turns out I was a month late all because the nurse gave me incorrect information after my second shot. She told me I had to come back for the third in six months. Turns out I needed to come back in four. Oops. Well, no harm no foul. My gyno didn’t seem worried about giving it to me late, so whatever.

Anyway, I am now fully vaccinated against HPV strains 6, 11, 16, and 18…assuming I don’t already have 16 or 18.

I got my yearly pap/pelvic, so I had the opportunity to ask about it. It’s currently $130/shot, a series of 3 shots, over a period of 6 months. I might start it as a christmas present to myself, but we’ll see.

I got my second shot last Friday. Whoopeee!

While I was in the doctor’s office I found out that my health insurence DID cover a portion of the first shot even though they told me on the phone that they wouldn’t. I’m not gonna complain though. Gotta take what I can get.

I got my very first shot today, and in two months I get to go back for another.

My mother has agreed to pay for all, half, or some of the cost, so I’ll probably make an appointment to get my first shot sometime in June.

Called my health insurence provider today and the nice customer service provider I spoke to informed me that they do not cover vaccination for anyone over 27. I pretty much knew that’s what they were gonna say, but I had to check just to be sure. I know of other friends over the age of 27 whose health insurences do cover the vaccine even for women outside of the approved age range.

So this means if I want the vaccine I’m gonna have to pay out of pocket. $435 is a lot of money. But I’m gonna have to find a way to pay for it. Like my gynecologist said, the last thing I need is to catch one of the wart varieties and add that to the host of treatments I’m already undergoing for other conditions.

When I first mentioned the possibility of getting the vaccine to my mother she offered to pay for the entire thing herself. At the time I told her she didn’t need to do that. But, now I don’t know. I might have to ask if she can do that because I don’t think my finances could withstand the strain. So now there will be discussions.