I think the vaccination is a good idea. "Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year." Yes, the condom idea sounds great, but what happens when a woman decides to get pregnant and her husband carries HPV? He probably won't have any symptoms, so he wouldn't know. Now the woman who has been so careful has HPV and an increased risk of cancer. The virus could also affect the babies vocal cords during the delivery.

Glenda, you are a kind soul. I have traveled down the colon cancer road. When diagnosed at age 48, I first completed 28 days of chemo/radiation then had my surgery to remove the tumor. After that, I had 12 chemotherapy treatments (one every two weeks- lasting 6 months). This is probably what your friend is having it is called Folflox6. I would be at the infusion center for about 4 hours and then went home with a chemo pack that I had to be connected to for 42 hours. A visiting nurse would come to my home and disconnect that chemo pack from me. If your friend is on the same chemo medication, she may have sensitivity to cold. Drinking a cold beverage was like razor blades. This lasted from treatment until about day 4 afterwards. Even touching something cold from the refrigerator was painful. Room temperature was key for foods and beverages during this period. As your friend progresses through treatment, she may experience pain walking and sore hands/feet. This is another side effect of the medication. At about treatment 6, I would get difficult shin splint pain. For me, the day I was disconnected from my take-home chemo pack was when I would crash needing much rest. Fortunately, I didnâÂÂt experience severe nausea as they had good medicine to help with that. I did have mouth sores and if she experiences this, have her request prescription mouth wash. Also, the taste buds go after about 3 treatments. I never liked spicy food but would crave it as it had a âÂÂtasteâÂÂ. I found cravings for foods with strong flavors. (I know you are a good cook). Chemo is difficult. I had treatments, surgery and a temporary ostomy too. My final chemo treatment was in April 2012 and my ostomy reversed in July 2012. Yesterday, I had my port removed two years from starting this cancer journey. I kept my port for this past year, as they monitored me frequently for any recurrence of the disease. Luckily, I am currently cancer free. Tell your dear friend there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

take a look in wal mart for scarves that cover your head, and come in some cute patterns (I had one for Halloween, and Christmas, lol) they're usually in the section where the purses are.... it's so hard on moms to have chemo, with kids...I can still remember one younger mom crying when the cancer nurse told us no kisses/hugs from children...is she going to have reconstructive surgery after or during?

Well, presumably your boyfriend is aware of his financial obligations and how much income he has left after meeting those obligations. Surely you can work out a budget to decide if you can comfortably raise your own family or not. (And good on the German system for compelling parents to financially support the children they bring into the world.)