lornagrl

No genetic mutations...

On February 22nd I had a test done to see if I carried a brca gene mutation.  Women with such mutations are at a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, particularly at an early age.  I was hesitant to take the test for many reasons.  For one, I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer and I was afraid if it turned out positive I would have trouble getting medical insurance coverage in the future.  But It was my fear of ovarian cancer that made me do it.  Breast cancer is survivable but ovarian, not so much. 

What I learned about the brca gene mutation is that men carry it as well which means it can pass down from either the mother's or the father's side.  The genetic counselor was especially interested in my paternal grandmother, Josephine who died of ovarian cancer.  But she was 66 years old and when the brca gene mutation is involved, the cancer usually strikes at an earlier age than that.  Still, it was a tense month because that's how long I had to wait for the results.  They made me come into the office to get it as well, they wouldn't just tell me over the phone.  This infuriated me.  It's my body and possibly my genetic mutation and I'm paying for the test.  I should have the right to receive the test results anyway I want to.  The test was NEGATIVE but had it not been I would have preferred to have been in the comfort of my own home to get the test results, not sitting in some stranger's office. 

Needless to say I'm quite relieved I did not have the mutation because it turns out that having it puts you at risk of many other cancers as well such as melanoma, stomach and pancreatic.

It still doesn't explain why I got cancer at 38 years old.

Astroland opening day...cold and rainy

I headed over to Astroland this afternoon for opening day.  There wasn't as much fanfare as last year, but then we all thought that last year was going to be the final season.  It was cold and rainy so there weren't too many people.

As usual the Hungry March Band was performing.  I didn't get there until the end of the performance.  Boy, I love this band.  If I ever get rich and have a big party, I will totally book them. 

I walked over to the freak show.  They were open but nothing was going on outside.  I couldn't stay out too long because I didn't want to get caught in a downpour with my camera.  While I was walking home on the boardwalk, I noticed Miss Cycolone posing for photographs.

Elliot, you disappointed me....

I know I haven't posted in a while.  I work on a computer all day, creating e-mails and sometimes the last thing I want to do when I get home is look at a computer screen.  It's been very, very busy.  One day last week I worked until 8pm.  They were kind enough to send me home in a car, but I continued to work from my laptop until about 9:30. 

I did want to point out that I am deeply disappointed in Elliot Spitzer.  So much so, that I'm thinking about writing him a letter.  I had such high hopes when he was elected.  I remember years ago I had a huge dispute with a nameless cell phone service provider and I told them "I'm going to send a letter to Elliot Spitzer's office about this."  (He was the New York State's Attorney General at the time, and did a fine job too.)

I guess that doesn't have the same ring to it anymore.

Gotham Gazette -- creating healthy bodegas.

This photos was featured in an article for the Gotham Gazette.