ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: LADavid on August 03, 2008, 09:19:27 pm
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Please understand that I don't imply the least racism. It very much isn't meant that way. How many Blacks, Asians, Mid-Easterners are respresented on this board? The reason why I ask is this -- I'm always trying to get at the causes of things. Sickle-cell is predominant among Blacks. There are other diseases and medical issues that are indiginous to other cultures. But based on the involvement on this board, it seems as though the occurance of ANs is primarily an Anglo-Saxon thing. I do realize that there are those on this board from Italy and France and of Hispanic decent, but there seems to be a high concentration of Anglos -Saxons. Why is that? I do,of course realize that most people who work in fish-hatcheries who are cellphone users are are Anglo-Saxon, but could it be there is a gene-strain that is an A/S thing? I also know the clinical argument that less than fortunate cultures and economic levels have a less chance of disovering an AN because of the financial opportunities and medical procedures available to them. But this Forum is international and even at the national level, all cultures and races have the opportunity to participate. Why are we getting participation primarily from Anglos -- and I'd go one step further -- Scot-Irish? Yes it's Sunday night and I'm bored, but I'm hoping that some research guy out there is saying "hmmm, maybe there is something to this and I can cop some award." And then that research guy connects the dots and realizes that there is a genetic cure...OK Dave, back to Sunday night and the Simpsons.
Hey it's just a thought. Have a great week!
David
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Anglo-Saxon -- half Scottish, half German -- here.You've noticed a possible Scottish connection? Or was that just an possible example of potential way the research might go? Or are you REALLY bored?javascript:void(0);
Dana
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David:
I'm one of those Anglo-Saxon folks that you've noticed seem to predominate these boards. Good catch. I've never noticed that one but I don't view your relatively innocuous question as in any way racist. However, I don't have a definitive answer to your query. I would venture a guess that the majority of the people who choose to participate here just happen to be middle-class Anglos who have access to a computer with internet capabilities and are interested enough to research 'Acoustic Neuroma' and find this website. I seriously doubt that the AN members who choose to post messages here are representative of all AN patients, worldwide, in terms of ethnicity. I believe we just happen to represent a middle class, computer-owning group that is mostly Scots-Irish or Anglo-Saxon (I'm ½ British, ½ German) and gravitate toward the internet when we have a question we need answered. Nothing mysterious, much less indicative of any racial/ethnic bias there. Probably not a satisifying answer but all I can offer to a complex, almost unresolvable question, but thanks for asking it, anyway. Food for thought and all that. :)
Have a great week yourself. :) My prayers and good wishes are with you on your Tuesday MRI. May you have the same results that I had.
Jim
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Good question, David.
Now that I think about it, most of us are Anglo-Saxons.
You may be on to something. It certainly makes more sense than the fish-hatchery theory ::)
Jan
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Dana
Half Scot -- the rest Irish, French, German. It was the name Kathleen McCracken that got me thinking this week. I'm a Shannon of the clan Donald. Southern Scotland, northern Ireland. Just something to add to the fish-hatchery, cell-phone theories.
David
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Jim
I had considered the normal computer/internet usage. And yes that does discount any clinical proof. But on my House visits, even here in LA, I have never seen an Asian or a Black in the massive waiting room. Granted that House may be a unattainable for certain socio-economic cultures, but zero representation certainly gives the raised eye-brows -- if one could raise such eye-brows.
David
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Interesting observation, David
I'll contribute to your research. I'm in the minority here--Mexican.
Syl
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If you Google it, I think you will find that there is no known racial or ethnic factor in who gets acoustic neuromas. The distribution on this forum is much more about who chooses to participate here.
I know that we have had African members, and other under-represented groups, show up on this forum. It does seem like they are less likely to post a picture, or to stick around and visit as much after getting some key information. I don't think that is any one's fault, but just a reminder that we still have cultural differences, and still make different choices about who to associate with.
Over time, that will continue to change. Be patient. :)
Steve
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Aw Steve and Syl -- I thought I was on to something. Syl -- looking back in your roots, surely you must have had a Stewart corrupting your Castillian family tree. OK OK, here's another broad swipe. European. If your heritage is European, you are an AN risk. Whether your roots be Ireland, France, Germany, Italy or Spain, you have a higher AN risk. Still looking for anyone who can trace their roots back to Asia, Africa, or the middle-East. Anyone? And Steve, I realize it's a participation choice, but out of the thousands who are diagonsed annually, wouldn't there be someone finding their way to this forum who isn't of European descent. Obviously I could be wrong. I'm just looking for more than fish-hatcheries and cell phones.
David
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Hi David,
I'll play. I'm of eastern European descent--mostly Russian.
Marci
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Italian/German here and my mom has been busy the past few years with our geneology. Hasn't really found info on how our relatives died as I asked her to look into their death certificates all she came up with so far is her grandmother died of breast cancer, my mom and her sister have been diagnosed with this.
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I seem to recall reading a paper a while back that said AN's don't seem to favor any gender or ethnic group in particular. That being said, I'm about as Anglo-saxon as a can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup has chicken- it's in there somewhere, but not much. I think maybe the word you're looking for is caucasian.
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I have always wondered this also. I am German/Dutch. I can only say there have been very few non Caucasian people at the last 3 AN symposiums. Not that is a true number of ANers. Cheryl R
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So, I am your basic Hines 57 of European descent- Irish/Scottish on my Mom's side and who knows on Dad's side. And, I married an Italian - does that mean anything?
David, maybe there's a grant in here somewhere? Can't let Lori and Jan get all the grant money, now can you?
Debbi
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David~
I have wondered this also...what about "Shiva's" mom?? Weren't they going back to India for surgery?
K
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Aw Steve and Syl -- I thought I was on to something. Syl -- looking back in your roots, surely you must have had a Stewart corrupting your Castillian family tree. OK OK, here's another broad swipe. European. If your heritage is European, you are an AN risk. Whether your roots be Ireland, France, Germany, Italy or Spain, you have a higher AN risk. Still looking for anyone who can trace their roots back to Asia, Africa, or the middle-East. Anyone? And Steve, I realize it's a participation choice, but out of the thousands who are diagonsed annually, wouldn't there be someone finding their way to this forum who isn't of European descent. Obviously I could be wrong. I'm just looking for more than fish-hatcheries and cell phones.
David
David,
If you want to go way back in my family tree--the ones that came from Spain--then we'd have to throw north Africa into it.
One of my co-workers also had a AN. Can we count him? He is familiar with this website, but doesn't participate. We can ad him to the count of caucasians--last name Johnson.
Syl
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Admittedly spurred by this thread, I've done a bit of internet research and found that Japan has a fair amount of Acoustic Neuroma patients, which sort of negates the 'Caucasian connection' David seems to be looking for. I can't prove it but I'll bet Spain, India and the more industrialized countries also have Acoustic Neuroma cases in the native population relatively close to the numbers we have in the U.S., adjusted for population, of course. Africa and other 'Third World' countries with limited medical resources and an often unsophisticated citizenry - mostly attributable to extreme poverty and a lack of education along with dictatorial governments that simply don't provide or even encourage health care - very likely have citizens suffering from Acoustic Neuromas but they are either unaware of the cause of their symptoms and/or simply don't have access to the doctors, facilities and financial resources to address their condition. That is tragic and unnecessary but the harsh reality for a good part of the world.
I doubt we'll see many citizens of Myanmar, Cuba, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan at the upcoming AN symposium, much less posting messages on these forums via the internet. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean these countries don't see Acoustic Neuromas in their populations, just that their citizens aren't in a position to be diagnosed, much less, treated. Posting their experiences on the U.S. ANA site is hardly an option for them.
That being the case, as I see it, I'm not ready to take the ethnicity of the AN patients who choose to post here as somehow indicative of the ethnic source for Acoustic Neuromas. I realize that David was posting his 'provocative question' out of boredom and with his tongue firmly in his cheek, as it were, but I decided to look a little closer at the premise that was being promulgated, which seemed to be moving toward what I suspected was a false conclusion. Others may disagree and that's fine. It's just a little discussion among friends with no real weight to alter anything for better or worse. I do believe that ANs are genetic but I strongly suspect that ethnicity is not a factor, no more than cell phone usage or fish hatcheries, for that matter. Of course, I could be wrong. :)
Jim
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Hey Jim,
After the fact, my mom told me that she had a benign tumor removed from her parotid (salivary) gland when she was in her 20's, resulting in facial paralysis for many months. I've now advised my son to request an MRI of his ENT since he has suffered hearing loss. Of course we're pretty sure that was due to playing a gig with a heavy metal band without ear plugs but now I'm sufficiently concerned that there is a genetic link to this. Hopefully insurance will pay but I think we'll do it anyway just to put his mind (and ours) at ease.
Best,
Marci
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Marci:
Good idea. Insurance generally won't pay for an MRI unless the doctor ordering it can show a medical reason for the request. Taking a reasonable precaution, while a perfectly sensible thing to do, probably won't convince the insurance company the MRI was 'medically necessary'. I would try to get it approved in advance but be prepared to pay for the MRI out-of-pocket. Still, you're doing the right thing. My son (29) is robustly healthy and has never had AN-like symptoms. Both his hearing and vision are superb but I've cautioned him to keep my AN experience in mind if he ever develops AN-like symptoms later in life, especially when I'm no longer around to remind him.
Jim
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What if you're Irish and talk on a cell phone while in a fish hatchery? Sorry, David - just wanted to see if you were really, really bored! :D
No theories here - but I will throw in that I'm Italian/Irish and both my dad and I had AN's. I'm sure that doesn't add much to the discussion, but I hated to be left out! :D
Lori
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Really? Your dad as well? That sounds like a link to me.
M
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hey LAdavid, .....okay... okay... okay......, i am going to throw you a bone here. I am chinese - my grandparents are from northern china but i was born in singapore.
but you are right about the waiting room at House, i was the only asian there. When i first did my research on AN, i found very little on the singapore websites, either it is not a "popular" tumor for asians or there is just no support or people just don't talk about it. My friend who is a doctor there even mentioned that it is so rare that ENTs don't even think about it as a possible diagnosis.
hope this helps!
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Although I agree with Jim that the make up of this forum is not a measure of the ethnic distribution of ANs, I am curious about the reports from the "waiting room at House." If Asians do get ANs, but don't get them treated at House, where do they go instead? It would be really interesting to see if the statistics on treated ANs at hospitals in the US matched up to the expected distribution of occurrences of ANs. Maybe there is some bias in diagnosis or treatment, even if there is none in the occurrence, due to economic, cultural, or other reasons.
Steve
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Hi everyone,
I am 100% English. I came to the USA 26 years ago and I am the only one in my family to Have had a lodger in my head. I took out American citizenship in 2001 and retain both nationalities. Can't wait to vote in November, but I guess i shouldn't open that can of worms. By the way, contrary to belief I have great teeth. Unfortunately you can't see all of them when I smile.
Ta Ta
Lainie.
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Hi Lainie, my bloke arrived 1 yr ago from Shaftesbury Dorset and is contemplating how he will do his citizenship down the road, whether to do dual or go all 'Merican. He's finding the current politikal scene here rather interesting...... :) BTW, my bloke has semi-good teeth.... unlike original Austin Powers but not the greatest, either :)
Hi all,
I would also find it interesting if stats are out there. On the CK Patient Support Board, I believe there is a thread in the "Brain" section (MindyAndy, was it you that started the thread?) about how more AN's are found today.... and consensus talks about how medical technology, such as MRI's, etc are now more available to do the proper diagnosis. I'm curious about the level of medical technology available in Asian countries and if available, what the stats would be..........
Phyl
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my bloke arrived 1 yr ago from Shaftesbury Dorset and is contemplating how he will do his citizenship down the road, whether to do dual or go all 'Merican.
Phyl
Phyl,
May I recommend dual citizenship? I love being an American, but I wouldn't want to travel abroad with and American passport--with all the fear of terrorism against Americans traveling abroad.
Syl
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Hi Phyl,
I thought you had good taste, choosing an English Bloke. My husband is also a Brit transplant. As far as the Naturalization is concerned the British attitude is once a Brit always a Brit and you will be able to hold both passports. If your Bloke has paid his contributions in the UK he should be eligible for his state pension down the road. Also he can vote in both countries. I travel out of the US on my American passport, and use my British passport to enter the UK. This way you can avoid the huge lines at both ends. Also as a member of the EEC if he keeps dual status you can both live and work in Europe without any paperwork as such. My son was born in the US and we registered his birth with the British embassy. At the time dual citizenship was not recognised by the UK. so he would have had to make up his mind whether to be Briitish or American after turning 18. Fortunately the laws changed and for his 18th Birthday we presented him with a British passport. His name is James and he felt more like James Bond with 2 passports. Now he is 22 speaks fluent french and is actually thinking he might go and live and work in Europe for a while [ before he decides what he is going to do when he grows up.] As far as Americans travelling abroad and terrorism; the Brits are such strong allies of the US, that we are just as disliked as the Americans. On a Patriotic note our naturalizaion ceremony in 2001, along with 5000 of our closest friends at the LA sports arenas [ Tom Ridge gave the commencement/ welcome speech ] was one of the most emotional days of my life. We are now treated like we were born here by everyone. We still have very strong accents and could never denounce our British status. But we are very proud to be citizens of Both countries. So in answer to your question I can't think of any drawback of keeping both nationalities. Also American Dentistry RULES.
Lainie.
PS Does your bloke [ what is his name? ] watch The Craig Ferguson show on CBS every night.?
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Hey Lainie,
You are noting the exact path that the bloke (Iain) is looking at. Although he notes about eventually doing American Passport, my hope is that he does exactly as you note. We have an upcoming trip to the UK over the Christmas/New Year's holiday (ok, UK gang... it confirmed! Where is JeWeL?) and knowing his Brit passport is the one of use will make it easier for him (along with his Green Card)...... our first trip abroad since his official arrival here. He's a true BBC America watcher and Dr. Who is the big thing here... as well as TopGear (who is that sleek man Stig and what does he look like under his helmet? LOL!) as well as anything Gordon Ramsey (for me). BTW, he's learning quick about 'Merican dentistry.... he'd rather avoid it!
Syl, neither of us have had discussions about terrorism concerns when traveling abroad.... but, I hear you on that one. Rather safe than sorry.... I agree. I'm suppose to do a business trip to Israel... my boss has asked me if I'd be nervous about it (he was there during one trip that gunfire was occuring all around the hotel he was staying... needless to say, he was quite overwhelmed by it all).... I told him no. I have no fear of it and if its my time then its my time. I have faith in the person "upstairs" to do with me as seen fit. Doesn't bother me. Faith carries me through.
So, back to topic... is anyone aware of specific demographics of those reported (and treated) of AN's? I'm curious if the ANA has any sort of info available that outlines it... of is combined studies have been done between USA and EU nations and others? May contact the ANA to see if they have any data. I'd be interested....
Phyl
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What if you're Irish and talk on a cell phone while in a fish hatchery?
Hmmm ... I'm Irish .. on the cell phone to much , fish to much , drink to much , smoke to much .. (younger days) , sat to close to the TV , loud music ..... no wonder I was doomed !! LOL :o :o
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I'd be willing to bet you used to ride your bike without a helmet when you were a kid too! You daredevil!! ;D
Lori
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I'll bet his parents didn't put him in a car seat, either ;D
Actually when you think of today's world, it's amazing we all lived long enough to be diagnosed with an AN.
Jan
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LOL ... funny you should say that .. I did end up in ER as a kid (7 yo?) ... hit my head on the pavement..... :'( and was out cold for a while ... gave my parents a good scare..... :'(
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David,
Interest question -- I'll play too. I'm a real melting pot baby, English, Irish, Native American (Blackfoot Sioux) on my mother's side. Austrian on my father's side.
Wendy
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Good post !!
Lets see...basically I'm a mut...Irish, German, Scotish, and Cherokee Indian.
Gary
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I think the ethnic thing is very interesting........ I am Scotch-Irish-Hungarian-Sweedish also grew up pretty much on a river and live on one now........FISH.......I love to fish!!! How about a chocolate connection are any of you addicted?
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Hmmmmmm..... Scot-Irish here. Grew up on a river town (Nasty Ohio river to be exact)
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See there is a lot of variety going on here, I am English but have a London/Yorkshire/Welsh mix! Grew up eating a lot of cod roe, rollmop herrings and chocolate though, oh dear :P
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Maybe we found a possible cause of AN's.... could it be related to chocolate addiction? I think a lot of us suffer from this! ;D
Let's hope that's not it - I don't want to have to give up my chocolate - I'm REALLY addicted!
Lori
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Grew up eating a lot of cod roe, rollmop herrings and chocolate though, oh dear :P
What a lovely combination - does that dish have a name? :D
Steve (English)
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i am seriously addicted to chocolate, it is my 6th food group - i believe we stumbled upon an AN connection here!!
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I hope chocolate has no connection to ANs. I am as addicted to it as the rest of you. I can give up a lot of things but chocolate would be next to impossible! Sometimes chocolate is the only thing that helps when I'm feeling down.
Wendy
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It IS the chocolate! It just has to be. It's the only food group that counts.
M
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Then there must be a LOT of people walking around that are undiagnosed!!!!!! ;D
K
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Well, then if we've all been diagnosed and/or treated, then it must be safe to eat all we want!
Hey David, how did your provocative question turn to chocolate? ;D
Lori
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A hijacking gone bad...or, rather, good?
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Lori -- Trash talk, I guess ;D. I'm thinking there must also be a male correlation. Is beer the male version of chocolate?
BTW, Lori, I've noticed on quite a few threads how the discussion detours to chocolate. Maybe there needs to be a topic devoted to chocolate. ;)
So now all this seems to be a mutant gene that exists primarily in those with European ancestory (specifically Irish as it was mentioned quite a few times in those of us mixed-breeds) but introduced to the Far East by Marco Polo where, like Western Europe, massive quantities of fish are consumed, beer drunk and chocolate eaten. So this gene generally lies dormant unless provoked by a steady diet of fish and chips (potatoes -- the Irish connection), slugged down with beer, and polished off with chocolate cake. And if you live in New England, you're even more suseptible (maybe it has something to do with Cod or Haddock). And this finally puts an end to those really off-the-wall cell-phone therories (that are obviously conjured up by envious land-line users). Hey this research stuff is easy. When do we get the Grant?
David (Sunday evening boredom)
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If my enormous chocolate consumption is to blame for my AN, then my right ear is gonna be in for something too.... but, i'm not gonna stop eating it!!! hee hee
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I think I'll have to have some chocolate and wash it down with a nice, cold beer while I ponder this subject. :D
AMD - I'll be right with you - I think we're both in trouble! We won't even be able to hear each other say "pass the chocolate, please".
Lori
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BTW, Lori, I've noticed on quite a few threads how the discussion detours to chocolate. Maybe there needs to be a topic devoted to chocolate. ;)
Not a bad idea!
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You guys are having too much fun! I want to join in: I'm Norwegian and Irish. I also want to add that when I read Steve's good humored thread on the ridiculous connection to the fish Hatcherie I laughed - until I read the article...Someone who worked at a fish hatchery probably ate alot of fish: goes back to my heavy metals theory! Actually, I read that in Norway where they do Autopsies automatically, they found that 10% of all Norwegians had ANs at their time of death, unbeknownst to them. ANs, however, didn't usually cause the death. Norwegians eat alot of fish; but I grant you that lutefisk (fish soaked in lye) is more likely to make you regurgitate than develop an AN! I eat more than my share of all other fish, though. Also, more than my share of chocolate and beer too. And although I'm not Scottish, I like men in kilts...does that count for anything? ;)
I make light of it, but I'm glad you brought the query up David, I think it is good to ask questions/ take a stab at potential causes, etc. Even if we don't find the cause, we'll have fun trying.
Jules
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Jules
That is exactly it. You'll never find the answers until you ask the questions. Crazy and as wild as they may be, somewhere there may be an obvious solution in the midst of those questions.
Kilts? Could it be? I have kilts of the Clan Donald. How many others of you who eat a lot of fish and drink beer and eat chocolate have kilts. This could be something big.
BTW, Jules, you had your AN surgery on my birthday. I would have had a second beer (make that third, fourth, hmm one does lose count) in honor of your surgery had I known.
David
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Double the reason to have a bit of malty goodness then! (Spoke with my best Scottish accent, of course!)
Jules
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OK I need help, I looked at the AN calendar and if I'm not mistaken our next surgery person is Cathy B. I don't know how to send this person an email so I can get going and mail it to her. Her surgery is scheduled for August 21.....Thanks anyone!!!
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Cathy has apparently chosen to 'hide' her e-mail address. However, you may send her a Personal Message ('PM') through this website by going here:
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=929 (http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=929).
Thanks for being so considerate. I'm sure Cathy will appreciate it. :)
Jim
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Thank you Jim I just PM her............
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LADavid..........I have a kilt, do you suppose something in the wool? or maybe an unfortunate breeze? On a serious note, I think the Irish have a common thread here.
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Hmmmm...
My ancestry is 1/4 Irish, 1/4 Italian, and 1/2 Polish...(The classic 3 immigrant groups to Chicago at the turn of the century)...
A chocolate covered shamrock anyone?
Kate
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Hey David,
I have some scientific data myself.
Drinking Bud lite, coors lite, white zin
Wearing "Croc " shoes [ these should only be worn while gardening, or escaping a fire "
Sitting reclined on " Lazy boy recliner" with pants button undone, remote in hand, Sorry guys or girls.
Drinking all of the above wearing "crocs" and a Kilt.
Lainie
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Escaping a fire? You would have to elaborate on that one...!
Jluie
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I can't believe after all these years the word "kilt" has made it into an ANA thread. 50 /50 scots /irish and the proud owner of two kilts , each in a different version of my primary Scottish clan tartan. It is also my tux, so if you invite me to any formal event you get me in a skirt and prince charlie jacket.
for those bold enough to look, here is a link to a picture of my wife and I at our clan society banquet. Excuse the fish backgroun, but it was in a lodge in Portland I guess that was the decor. ;D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41868789@N00/2739987645/in/set-72157606518029312/
mark
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for those bold enough to look, here is a link to a picture of my wife and I at our clan society banquet. Excuse the fish backgroun, but it was in a lodge in Portland I guess that was the decor. ;D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41868789@N00/2739987645/in/set-72157606518029312/
mark
What a handsome lad! Thanks for sharing your wee bit of Irish (oops Scottish) dress:-)
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I think I'll have to have some chocolate and wash it down with a nice, cold beer while I ponder this subject. :D
AMD - I'll be right with you - I think we're both in trouble! We won't even be able to hear each other say "pass the chocolate, please".
Lori
Ha Ha!!!! That's too funny. We can just utter "Huh??" as we are wiping the remainder of the Hershey kisses from our faces....
And as far as a lot of our Irish heritages go, we can be so proud....first beer and kilts, along with an insatiable love of chocolate, only to develop AN's. If we only knew.... We must be the party animals of the tumor world....
Amy
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Thanks Kate, Actually, that's my highland clan tartan so you'd give my scottish cousins a coronary calling it irish ;D, but if I ever decide to add the Douglas kilt to the wardrobe, then certainly my Irish side will be on display ;)
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Thanks Kate, Actually, that's my highland clan tartan so you'd give my scottish cousins a coronary calling it irish ;D, but if I ever decide to add the Douglas kilt to the wardrobe, then certainly my Irish side will be on display ;)
How come your legs look better in a skirt than mine? ;D
Thanks for sharing Mark... you both look great and hellos to that lovely wife of your's for me!
Phyl
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Who knew men could look so stunning in a skirt? ;)
A friend of mine married a Scottish girl and wore the whole Scot ensemble for his wedding. I think he spent more time trying to get dressed for the big event than she did! Never having worn a kilt or knee socks, he was a bit confused on how to work everything. I have to say, the was the first (and last) time I ever had to help a man put on a skirt. :D
Amy, we can definitely be the party animals - and we'll probably never complain that the music is too loud!
Lori
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Mark, Yep, looks good - rivals even the most dapper Double Breasted suit!
Lori,
I have to say, the was the first (and last) time I ever had to help a man put on a skirt.
-That's funny! Neat how we're gifted with memories...although my short term is scarily gone!
J
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Seems like this post is going everywhere, but I thought this was interesting. She would have to back it up, but I think ColoradoGal told me her "old" college roommate also has an AN. Could it be AN by association? I think that is just freaky!!!
Nancy :o
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:D This thread is still going!!!! We're bound to get an answer yet. But I have a question for you, Nancy. Did Coloradogals college roommate live in the Rockies? I swear there is an AN epidemic going on there.
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So Coors is the connection then...?!
Jules
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Jules
Back in the 80's, when Coors came East, I drank a lot of it. It was also at that time when I developed tinnitus. Hmmmm.
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Oh, now wait a minute... we may be onto something here...
Everyone knows the preferred beer of everyone in Jersey is Coors Light.....and there are a lot of us from NJ here. And there are fish there and Scottish people who talk on cell phones....
So the connection lies somewhere between New Jersey and Colorado. Okay... we're making progress in figuring this thing out.
Lori, P.I.
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My race is 1/2 Japanese & half American....Amerasian...LOL.....
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Ah but is that part of Mindyandy -- Andy which could stand for Andrew or Andrews which could be Scot who wear kilts and may work in fish hatcheries and drink beer if male or eat chocolate (craves it) if female or beer if you live in New Jersey. I think we're narrowing this gene down and what provokes it. I hope the academic community is taking note. And Lori, maybe it could be fish that are exposed to beer-drinking kilt-wearing cellphone users. I think I'm getting confused with this proliferation of fact.
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I still think we should be able to get a research grant for this. Look how much we've figured out on our own already! No telling what we could do if we had a little cash to invest.
Lori
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Hi LADavid,
To answer your question about ColoradoGal going to college in CO, I had to look back in my PMs, and I didn't find the college. She grew up in Ohio, I think. I also noticed in addition to her roommate having an AN, another one of her roommates at the same college had some other type of benign brain tumor. As for Coors, I really don't drink it much (Miller Lite for me), but I do like tubing down the stream that runs right past the Coors plant. Maybe I have been tubing in Coors beer all of these years. WOW, Coors causing ANs . . . and there are fish in that stream also. Must run out and warn the fisherman . . . . . .
Colorado is really a great place to live . . . . but, don't move here . . . .We are all "full up"!
Nancy ;D ;D ;D
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I didn't grow up or attend college in Colorado - or Ohio, I don't drink Coors, and I've never worked in a fish hatchery, so I'm sorry to say I don't fit the required AN criteria :D
However, if there's cash to invest, please let me know as I'm sure I could come up with a few very interesting ways to spend it.
Also, I somehow missed Mark in a skirt (er - kilt). I must have been on vacation that week. Guess I'll have to check out that link since everyone said he has great legs ;)
Jan
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Yeah. I wonder why researchers aren't tapping into this thread. As Lori said, look what we figured out on our own. Say, are there any researchers? Or is this too big a business to pass up >:( (David thinks cynically). Wait a minute. I just didn't think that. I said it. OK it's out in the open. Maybe the cellphone and fish hatchery theories are red herrings (so to speak) to keep us from getting at the real cause. Or maybe I've had too much coffee this morning.
And Nancy, I travelled a lot to Denver and Boulder on business back in the 80's. It very definitely is beautiful. Except of course for being stranded at Stapleton in the middle of a snow storm.
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Jan, you just have to be difficult, don't you? ;)
David and I are truly onto something here.. or perhaps I've had too much coffee this morning too...Hey... wait... you don't think it could be the coffee... do you? Geez, I hope not. I have already gladly given up the Coors since moving out of NJ and I don't think there's enough water in Nashville for fish to hatch...but I don't think I can give up the coffee... :'(
Lori
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Hey, I was once stranded at Stapleton in a snow storm too!! :o Surely that is medically significant...
Debbi
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If being stranded in Colorado during a snowstorm is a cause of AN's - I don't think they'd be considered rare! :D
Lori
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Denver got a new state of the art "all weather" airport about ten years ago. People have been stranded there for days, but the BRONCOS manage to make it out when they have an away game!!! Amazing how fast they can clear a runway! Nancy
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I was stranded by a snowstorm in Boston once. Does that count ???
And, Lori, not to be difficult again - because you know how I just HATE that role ;) - but I'm not a coffee drinker and never have been.
Perhaps chocolate is the culprit - in which case I'm guilty as charged :D
Anyone else was to 'fess up?
Jan
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I am IN snowstorms all the time - does that count? I drink WAY too much coffee - but didn't have enough this morning! I don't, nor do I think, I have EVER had Coors (when I did start drinking beer, it was with Dave & he only drinks Mexican beer - except now we drink Landshark because it is associated w/Jimmy Buffett!!) I did always fish when I was little (mainly I liked to dig the worms) in New Mexico, but that was for trout - does that count?? Oh yeah, I LOVE chocolate!!! ::)
K
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Jan, I'm beginning to think you didn't have an AN to begin with.
I think you were just so impressed with all of us on the forum that you wanted to be a part of it. And we made fun of Steve for his BAHA-envy.... ::)
However, to make you happy, I'd be willing to eat A LOT of chocolate to prove that it doesn't cause AN's. My gosh, I just give til it hurts....
Lori
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Lori~
If only I could be as giving as you....(sigh...)
K
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Jan, I'm beginning to think you didn't have an AN to begin with.
Lori, I am literally laughing my head off as we speak :D You're not going to "out me" to my insurance company are you ??? Because they paid one hell of a bill :D
Actually I'm not Jan, I didn't have an AN, nor do I have a BAHA. Remember when you were Cindy Crawford and I was Christie Brinkley? Well one of us wasn't kidding and our fellow forumites may never know which one ;) LOL
So, K, what is Dave's opinion of Land Shark? I'm not a beer drinker, but I'll buy just about anything in the name of Jimmy. Is it worth my money?
Jan
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Jan~
We like it - believe it or not, I like beer (I know that most girls don't) but I like it with salt & lime!! We actually have been buying that instead of Corona lately...
K
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Jan, you may have to pay me off to keep quiet! ;) I know how hard it must have been to put that fake scar on your head - and the BAHA snap. The lengths some people will go to....
Oh, and Landshark is good. Coming from a female beer lover.... It tastes like Corona to me. And although I am generally opposed to fruit in my beer, it's good. I prefer the darker stuff. But, I don't think you'd like it at all, Jan, so save your money and send it to Kay and me instead. ;D
And once again, we have successfully gone from a provocative question to chocolate and beer. What would Phyl say about this? :-[
Lori
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Lori~
We could just drink more beer and then we wouldn't care what Phyl thinks...who knows, she would probably join us!! How could anyone resist us??? ;D ;D
K
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'tis true...we love you! ;D
Jules
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Oh, boy! Phyl is really going to slap our hands when she finds these posts ::) but as K pointed out, who could resist us ;) - or you? I'm not sure if I'm included or not ???
Lori, I have to admit that the BAHA "snap" was a tough one to fake, but the super glue worked wonders. Note to others, don't try this at home :D
As far as the Land Shark goes, if we can find some in Chicago in August, I'll buy you, Kay, and Dave some!
I know this is totally off topic, but I read last night that K's Pick-a-Weenie is named Latte - and I got a huge chuckle out of that! Sometimes you guys are just my entertainment du jour :D
Keep up the good work girls! My life would be infinitely more boring without you!
Jan
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*shakes head* ::)
chcolate and beer.... I'll pass on that one... as for what I would say in looking at the whoopla here.....
Well, this land shark is asking you all to: 1) get back on topic since this is in "Inquiries" and has gone WAY too far off topic.... or, 2) to keep the chocolate and beer (echhh!) going, be moved to AN Community.
Trust me... I may not be logged on, but I'm watching VERY VERY closely!
Pick one folks......
Signed,
Water-logged in New England from some wench named Hanna
(and no... experiencing one snowstorm in Boston doesn't count... not until you live through a true "Nor'Easta'")
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Oh no! :o She's found us!!! :o
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I guess we can't just buy Phyl a beer to keep her happy. I gather from her "Ecchhhhh-ing" that she's not a fan of beer.
Lori
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In keeping with the subject matter of the thread, perhaps we should offer her a foreign beer, as opposed to a domestic beer ;)
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Good thinking. Perhaps a Guinness - and a side of fish and chips. And we'll call her on her cell phone while she's eating/drinking. Don't forget the chocolate.
There... totally back on topic.
Lori
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Now see what you've done, Lori and Jan! Here I was trying to initiate some high-level, sophisticated research on the causes of ANs and because you two were goofing around, Phyl got mad and put us in the basement. All that research stuck down here where no one will see it. Now we'll never get a grant. And we were so close to a cure. Chocolate and beer. Such poppycock.
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It was Jan. Remember - I'm the angel! :-*
Lori
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I sure didn't have anything to do with it...I was just anwering Jan's beer questions!!!! ;D
K
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Okay, I'll be the grownup and accept the responsibility for K and Lori.
Sorry David! If we promise to stick to the topic maybe Phyl will move us back - but you may have to sweet talk her.
Good luck,
Jan
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Do you think a chocolate bribe would work?
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I guess beer wouldn't... ;D
K
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Okay, I was going to get in on this thread, but I don't know where to start! It's interesting, the initial question, because I'd wondered the same thing at one point in my AN journey. So, I think this is an interesting thread. Also, since genealogy is one of my hobbies, I'm finding it appealing that way. I am like 99.999% Northern European mix, but my 11th great grandfather was the first Italian immigrant in New Amsterdam and was killed by Indians on Long Island back in the 1655. I'm very proud to be 11 generations removed from Pietro Cesare Alberti, even though any DNA from him was diluted to nothing many generations ago. However, since that family line is one of my more interesting ones, I'm still claiming to have a few molecules of Italian. ;) ;D
I would love to have $100 I don't know what to do with, so I could send away for my DNA kit from National Geographic and after receiving my contribution they will track my haplogroup be apart of their Genographic Project. So maybe David, you'll have to track haplogroups and such! Hmmmmmm?
There are still a few salmon and sturgeon swimming in the Columbia not far from me. And I eat fish, but not that much. No Hatchery work, however.
When I came in here and found this thread, I still have the taste of chocolate in my mouth from the last remaining dark chocolate chips left in the bag.
I love most alcohol, and I do like beer. We in the Northwest have every kind of micro brews available and there are too many to count. My father, when he was a lad, picked hops in the Willamette Valley. I don't drink much of it, however. Alcohol, these last years, will initiate a very uncomfortable hot flash, and that has ruined my appreciation of a nice glass of wine or beer. I find it more with the wine. But perhaps, that's more information than you need for your grant, David!
I've only been stuck in one snowstorm, and that was in Oregon. Never been to Colorado, but would love to go. But then, I'd love to go most anywhere.
I limit my cell phone use. When I was using it more, it would annoy me the way the phone got hot, and I decided not to use it so much. I use a cordless phone day to day, and cell phones for quick calls.
Perhaps AN's can be treated with acupuncture. Wouldn't that be something to find that out? Perhaps that is why you don't see many Asians at House.
So, David, there you go. Don't think my statistics will help much, but you never know! ;D
Have a good week everybody!
Sue in Vancouver USA
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Do you think a chocolate bribe would work?
nope, I'm on a diet.. try again.
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Hmmm. Tickets to an Angel's game. ;)
(Now I know every thread I start will be sent to the basement)
BTW, sorry about Brady -- seriously.
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Bloke just read your post... he feels that it would be no worries to speak to the person next to him, although there may be a HIGH number of empty seats in between. At least you didn't say the Dodgers (Manny who?)
Try again. :)
(Brady.. oy)
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Thanks again for Manny. Now why was it you let him get away? He has totally energized the Dodgers. I am quite sure Torre is breathing a sigh of relief. Again, why did you trade him? Magic beans or something like that? You are fortunate to have the Celtics. Remember , when you are lamenting Manny, I still have to put up with the Clippers and the LA Kobes.
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All this baseball talk (brought up by none other than PHYL) is making me wonder if this is on topic...HHHMMMMM... ???
K ;D
*Couldn't resist*
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Manny who?
We are also doing better without him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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All this baseball talk (brought up by none other than PHYL) is making me wonder if this is on topic...HHHMMMMM... ???
K ;D
*Couldn't resist*
*ahem*
This is in AN Community now! ;D
Agreed Sue... except for last night's game.. .oy.... I'm still urked over that one! :)
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Good point, Kaybo ;D
I couldn't resist either :D
Where's our other "resister" Lori? I'm sure she'd like this point also ;)
Jan
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Well, I've been saying all along "this should be in AN Community"... but does anyone ever listen to me? Nah.... ::)
Lori
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Didn't Manny used to play in Cleveland? :P
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Lori -
we do listen, but you keep forgetting that most of us are half deaf - so naturally we only hear half of what you say ;D
Jan
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Oh, that's what I'm doing wrong.
Then it would appear that my kids and husband must be deaf in one ear, since they only hear half of what I say also. Guess I'll have to talk LOUDER!!!
Lori
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Lori~
You might try talking S-L-O-W-E-R too!!
K
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Hey there everyone!
I have another question since this thread was about commonality & AN's...
I noticed (before I knew about my AN), that I had problems with some video games...they made me "dizzy." Especially first person shooter games.
Anyone else experience this?
Gary
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Gary,
I have NEVER been good at video games! I always blamed it on poor eye/hand coordination, but I think it might have been more like poor brain/hand coordination!
I'm going to blame that on the AN too!
Lori
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Gary -
I never thought about a connection between dizziness and video games, but since you ask, I've experienced this too.
Games that have a "virtual" element to them - where you feel like you personally are walking through a maze always made me dizzy and nauseaus. There was one - maybe Tomb Raider ? - that especially gave me this feeling, but I never though to attribute to my (at that time) undiagnosed AN.
Interesting question.
Jan
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LA David, answer to your Manny question......they say here in the Northeast...Manny stopped being Manny!
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Hi Lori and Jan,
I blame anything that requires coordination and causes problems for me on my AN now --- I don't have to admit to being naturally clumsy anymore! I've never liked video games because I always found they visually confusing -- probably my undiagnosed AN at work!
Wendy