Presently, blood tests are able to determine if our BRCA genes are mutated. They are able to determine if there is an increase in our chances of getting breast cancer .  Is this a good thing?  How can we know if it’s a good thing when we might not be sure what  BRCA testing is and how it works.”  Ok, ok.  Don’t put your bra on inside out.   Simply put, EVERYONE  has the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes.  (By the way BRCA is short for Breast Cancer Gene 1 and Breast Cancer Gene 2). But not everyone gets breast or ovarian cancer (and in the case of men – prostate cancer).  It all depends if the genes mutate; and how they mutate since not every mutation is a harmful one.  Some are actually beneficial and help the cells ward off other diseases.

Now try and stay with me as this gets confusing…As a mother of a daughter, whose sister –in-law recently passed from ovarian cancer (after 11 years) and whose husband has YET to be tested because it does run in his family;  the question is…”do we have our daughter tested?”  My husband has three brothers and they have been tested.  Some have the gene mutation and some do not.  And with that in mind, my sister-in-law has three daughters.  Not only did she have ovarian cancer but her husband had prostate cancer (and thankfully caught it early) and is still going strong.  But, her children whom are all grown women decided to have the test done.  The oldest tested negative and has three beautiful daughters of her own starting at age 5 and on down to a few months old.  The middle sister tested negative.  And the youngest, only 2 years out of nursing school… does have the mutation.  To that,  the questions are… “Do we have our daughter tested now  and worry throughout her life if she tests positive… or do we do everything we can to give her the tools to decrease her risk and wait until she is much older and can emotionally handle the testing?”  But we also need to consider why we want to have her tested?  And why should anyone test for that matter? Well simply put,  the human brain can cause things to happen to our bodies; that the power of the mind is so strong that we can create illnesses out of fear of that very illness. To help alleviate that risk, genetic counselors are there to talk you through the process and discuss the options available both prior to and when you receive your results.  They are there to help you with your decision to get tested, and to discuss the results with you.  What would you think if I told you that some women decide to be preventative based on their results and do a proactive double mastectomy and hysterectomy?   Extreme or Preventative Maintenance?   Are women risking quality of life in the effort to save their lives on their percent chance of becoming ill?  Those are some odds.  It’s like being the ONE and ONLY girl who gets wears the actual Swarovski covered bra from Victoria’s Secret. So again, it’s back to the “why” of getting our daughter tested…

Gaya is only 7 years of age and her training bra is not even a glimmer in our eyes yet.  Despite that she is aware of what breasts are; that she was breastfed and that there are both fake and natural ones in all shapes and sizes (which BTW, that was a fun conversation lol).  But seriously, what if she does have the mutation?  Do we live our whole lives in fear of  the “if and when” the bra strap will break?  Or do we not test her and do everything we can to decrease her chances and control the things that we can.  For example, ensuring an active lifestyle and that she learns the value of healthy nutrition; keeping her stress levels down by ensuring an appropriate work load, serene home life and most of all plenty of laughter and love.  But is that human?  Curiosity is an inherent emotion.  Can anyone really answer if the Wonder bra is truly a wonder or is it simply pretty fabric created to divert your attention from what’s real? Can we go our whole lives without worrying?

Now  I  “wonder” why my husband is waiting?  Does he have bra envy or is he just being a boob?  As a pro athlete, he does symbolize health.  But, internally can we ever really know what is going on with an actual measurement?

This is something that I think about all the time.  Initially, my husband was waiting because years ago when we were getting life insurance, he did not want it to affect our ability to acquire protection, you know like a padded bra.  However, today there are laws in place which protect consumers/patients from life and health insurance companies exercising the “pre existing” condition factor to determine your plan… you know 36A demi-cup coverage or 42DD granny bra coverage.

Then why is he still waiting?  Perhaps fear? Although he would never admit it.  But isn’t ignorance bliss, the “if I don’t know about it, it doesn’t exist theory”.  As a male he hasn’t had the pleasure of a retail specialist lifting his breast up into a bra to find the perfect size.  Or had his primary care physician cop a feel under the guise of checking for lumps.   If he had, he might be thinking about if his bra fits and what coverage he would need.  I am hoping after he reads this article that we can find the answers to the question of whether to test or not to test.  That we will be able to think outside the bra and determine what size we are and what fit is right for both he; our daughter and our family.

All I can say is you and your family are the only ones who can determine what feels comfortable and how much support you need.  I am asking you to think about it.  Try it on.  And who knows you might just find the answers that can perk you up!

You can find out more information on BRCA testing on the following websites: www.medicinenet.com, www.mayoclinic.com, www.ncpad.org (national center on physical activity and disability) and www.ideafit.com to name a few.

Nancy Matican Bock is a native New Yorker transplanted to Melbourne Beach after surviving 9/11.  She has been a certified personal trainer for over 20 years.  She is a motivational coach, mother, wife, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

Mondays and Thursdays: 4:15 PM

Wednesdays: 6:00 PM

Check them out at MelbourneBeachFitness.com or Like them on Facebook at Melbourne Beach Fitness!

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, the 220-unit franchise of family sports pubs and restaurants, is rewarding dad’s this Father’s Day with a free meal during their “Dad’s Eat Free” promotion.  The special offer is valid on Sunday, June 19, at participating Beef ‘O’ Brady’s locations.

“‘Dad’s Eat Free’ is our way thanking dads for all that they do,” said Chris Elliott, CEO of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s.  “This day-long promotion will give our guests the opportunity to acknowledge dad in an environment that the entire family can enjoy.”

Valued up to $10, dads will be awarded with a meal of their choosing, restrictions apply, see your local Beef ‘O’ Brady’s for details.

Just in time for the promotion, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s recently unveiled new fresh Angus burgers that pack huge flavor and tenderness and are served on toasted brioche buns.  Wing lovers, who already have 11 different sauces to choose from, have something new to cheer about – two delicious dry rubs.  The dry rubs include lemon pepper and Paul Prudhomme’s^® Blackened Seasoning. Great new flavors and no sauce under your nails!

Also new at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip, a combination of all-white meat chicken mixed with spicy buffalo sauce and creamy ranch dressing served with pub chips. This new dip is great for sharing with friends while you wait on the burgers and wings.

To find out more information about the “Dad’s Eat Free” promotion or participating locations, please visit www.beefobradys.com.

ABOUT BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is a national franchise of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef ‘O’ Brady’s neighborhood market. The “kid appeal” of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. The company, headquartered in Tampa, Fla. has more than 220 locations in 21 states. Visit www.beefobradys.com for more information.

Each character had a chance to “close their eyes and imagine they were going to a special place”. Each time we were “transported” the audience was asked to close their eyes too. We traveled to the high seas, the rainforest, we went under the ocean and met an octopus, roasted marshmallows by a campfire and sang songs, and had a street parade. Throughout the show, Elmo and friends introduced numbers and letters.

Not only was the show interactive, entertaining, and fun; but it was educational as well. As a mother and a teacher, I absolutely LOVED it.

Children of all ages were there and they all seemed to enjoy it just as much. It was cute seeing them all dance and jump around with excitement waiting on their favorite character to arrive.

The show ended with a transport to a bedroom. Here we sang songs and got ready to say good-bye. It was their way of making night night time the last adventure of the day.

The staff was wonderful at BankUnited Center and it was a great experience. As you leave, Elmo balloons may be purchased at the doors that are oh so adorable!

It’s not too late to purchase your tickets, Mamas! You don’t want to miss Elmo and his friends!

Sesame Street LIVE, Miami: $3 Off

BankUnited Center at the University of Miami

Saturday, June 18^th at 10:30AM, 2:00PM, 5:30PM

Sunday, June 19^th at 1:00PM and 4:30PM

We arrived shortly before showtime and were greeted by a lovely lady dressed in leg warmers, roller skates and pixies.  We knew at this point we were in for a real treat!  We found our seats giggling with excitement (in the back of course because we had smuggled in granola bars and juice boxes for treats) and got ready for some rockin’ 80′s fun.

For those of you don’t know, the original Xanadu was a 1980 romantic musical fantasy film starring Olivia Newton-John, which has been redone in a modern spoof, and now become an award winning Broadway hit.

Thanks to Sunshine Mamas one and only Nancy Matican-Bock, St. Marks Church and an amazing cast, Xandu- The Surprise Broadway Hit, has been brought to St. Marks Church, complete with 80′s musical hits such as I’m Alive and my personal favorite, Evil Woman .

The story features a Greek Muse, Kira, who travels from Mt. Olympus to help a struggling artist, Sonny, in Venice Beach, CA.  Sonny has a dream of starting the first ever Roller Disco.  Thanks to the jealous antics of her sisters, Kira falls in a forbidden love with Sonny making for a crazy, hilarious performance with singing, dancing, roller skating and all around best darn entertainment I’ve experienced!

This is a tale of love, determination and adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat…heck Madilynne couldn’t even sit down, she was standing on my lap the majority of the 90 minute show! She is now determined to sing and dance like Ms. Nancy!

Please support our local community, Mamas!  Take your family to enjoy Xanadu in Indialantic, FL!  You can thank me later.

Hats off to Nancy Matican Bock and the entire talented St. Marks Xanadu cast!  All of you did an outstanding job and by far exceeded my expectations of a local performance- or any performance for that matter.  Thank you all for an amazing evening…I know Xanadu will stay in our hearts for a lifetime.

You can see Xanadu Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. or Sunday June 19, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.  Tickets are $10.

If you have a student that would like to attend the Vacation Bible School, you can download the Student Registration Form by Clicking Here.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the Vacation Bible School, you can download the Volunteer Registration Form by Clicking Here.

Details are as follows:

• Monday – Friday
• June 20 – 24, 2011
• 9 a.m. to noon
• Cost is $15 for materials

For more information, contact Pastor Wenninger.

We look forward to seeing you there!