A Conversation with Elizabeth
2017
23andMe

From:           Elizabeth 
To:             Larry
Sent:           Sunday, May 28, 2017 1:11 PM
Subject:        Re: Just Curious What Your Thoughts Are
 
Hello Larry,
 
I used 23andMe before they were stopped by the FDA from releasing genetic risk reports to customers for major diseases.  When my report came in, the results for the major diseases such as breast cancer (the BRCA gene) were put into a special link with a "warning" that the information might be psychologically disturbing (I forget the exact wording).  Just last month the FDA lifted their restriction on 23andMe, so it can now return to providing such reports, which apparently does include Parkinson's.  I discussed with my students in Human Growth and Development what their thoughts were about knowing they had high risk genes.  Many did not want to know!  The prostate screening situation, which I follow casually through medical news, is something of a roller coaster, in terms of shifting opinions.  The same thing has happened with mammograms.  First, the experts were insisting that women get one every year, even in the 60s.  Then the recommendation shifted a year or so back to "no, get one every two years."  But many physicians don't agree.  The problem with mammograms is false positives.  Apparently for every 10 you get, you can statistically expect 1 false positive.
 
My ancestry via 23andMe was about 96-97% northern European, and about 3% Neanderthal. My father always said we had Native American blood on his side of the family, but the results were only from my mother.
 
I was curious what day of the week you get your Blue Apron boxes, and what your rationale was for the choice.  The choice they set for me was Fridays, and I requested the first box on June 9th, skipping June 2.  Later I thought it might be better for me to get it mid-week, because I've had a long standing habit for years of not cooking on Friday nights much, and I wasn't sure I wanted to do the cooking on the weekend. so I changed my first box to arrive on June 7th a Wednesday.  That way I should have some leftovers for the weekend. I can't wait to get it!  Since I still have money left on your gift certificate, I'll definitely pay the difference and keep the plan for a second week.  That will give me time to evaluate whether to continue or not.
 
But mainly, I was writing to ask whether from your yoga training you know anything about plantar fasciitis, which is very annoying heel pain.  I know the standard home treatment of ice and a particular stretching excercise using stairs but I can't seem to get it to subside in my R heel.  It is a bit annoying.
 
I wonder if by not letting you buy the lot before committing to building the house, the development company is trying to prevent just purchasing the lots for investment purposes. My parents used to buy various lots in Florida, usually south Florida, for investment purposes, with no intention to ever build on them.
 
I was curious if you might try and resume painting when you retire.  I never thought much of President Bush, but I admire that in a fit of what do in retirement he began painting.  He then did a portrait book of wounded warriors.  Some of his first paintings were pretty sad looking, but he got better and better, but also had lots of lessons from good teachers apparently.
 
Elizabeth

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