BRCA2

7 Weeks Ago:

I made an appointment a few weeks ago to have my blood drawn for a genetic test on my BRCA2 gene, which would detect mutations that make me more likely to develop cancer at some point. There are only two doctors in New South Wales who can do it, and one happens to be close to my work, so I took off early on a Wednesday to walk up to St. Vincent’s. My 4:30 time came and went, and by the time they were able to see me it was pretty much a mad dash to get everything done so the doctors could go home for the day; I was just happy to get it over with and go home myself.

1 Week Ago:

This time Hayden meets me at work because it was really unpleasant going in there by myself last time. The doctor and counsellor lady sit down, pull out my file, and tell me what I already suspect; I carry this mutation, I have a 50% chance of developing cancer, my kids will have a 50% chance of having this mutation, and I have to have expensive tests on a yearly basis to try and catch it early. He goes on for a while about surgery and MRIs while the counsellor has a pained and concerned look on her face and hands me some brochures. The doctor reassures me that Medicare covers a lot of the cost (he has somehow already forgotten that I’m not Australian and therefore ineligible) and says he will refer me to another specialist. I shake his gross clammy hand and get out of the office.

Today:

The counsellor has left me a follow-up voicemail but I’m going to pretend nothing happened for just a little while longer. Hayden and I got engaged a couple of weeks ago – I just wish I could have enjoyed the feeling a little bit longer without stress and worry.

Sutherland, NSW

It's a sunny Sunday afternoon and I'm planning to take a picnic down to the Woronora River in about an hour. I had to make a quick run to the shops, so I figured I would take my camera along and give you a tour of my new neighborhood - Sutherland! It's about 20 minutes from where I used to live in Cronulla (and much more landlocked, sadly), but it has its own charms that are easier to spot when you're on foot and taking the time to notice:

This is one of the less charming places in Sutherland-why do children need a day spa?

My apartment block backs up onto a footy oval and a cemetery. It's actually really peaceful and not creepy at all. 

This is The Royal, the pub I usually choose when faced with the decision about where to grab a beer in Sutherland. Their restaurant has a really nice chicken parmigiana that is about the size of my face.

Platform 1 of Sutherland station, where I wait for the train into the city from Monday-Friday.

This is the entrance to Sutherland station - I think "kiss and ride" is the drop off area for commuters. There are people who use the parking lot outside my apartment building as a park-and-ride since it's so close to the station.

This is Boyle's my #2 pick for pubs in Sutherland. It's a more historic building than The Royal, but I find it to be a little depressing - it's mostly just dudes putting bets on the horses and trying to avoid eye contact with each other.

The dry cleaners. Doona = duvet I think?

This is the band hall where we rehearse. There is an apartment building with a resident who will call us up complaining if we go even 1 minute past our 10 pm cutoff time - I guess not everyone loves the sound of trumpets as much as I do.

The Thai joint near my house - this is where I went on my birthday, it's really good!

Last but not least... my balcony. I'm sitting here typing and waiting for my laundry to dry. It doesn't face the road, but there is always a lot of foot traffic taking a shortcut through to the main street, so I kind of enjoy just sitting out here and seeing who walks past.

And now we go to Clare for the weather report

It's hot. Really hot. Unfortunately it's also windy which means there is a potential for bushfires all around New South Wales. Interestingly enough there are also lots of moths flying around the city which, combined with the heat gives off a somewhat apocalyptic effect. There was one hanging out in our PO box when I went down to check it this morning, and there has been one perched on the wall about 10 feet away from me that hasn't moved all day. How he got up to the fifth floor of a supposedly airtight office building I may never know, but I'm impressed enough to just let him chill on the wall for now.