By Colleen McVey

Shari Einhorn’s blog spells out the details of the new recommendations for breast cancer screening, and from all of the emotional phone calls we got Tuesday night on Long Island Talks – many women are very angry. Add my husband, who lost his sister, and my mother and sisters to that list.

In January 1992, my sister-in-law Barbara died at the age of 47 of breast cancer. She never had a mammogram. Her cancer was diagnosed too late. If she started annual screenings at the age of  40 - (something the government task force says is not necessary)  I believe she might be alive today.

Ten months after Barbara’s death, my sister Peg , who was 39 at the time, found a lump with a self-breast exam.  At first, her doctor dismissed the discovery as a “monthly hormonal change,” but because of  Barbara’s death, Peg insisted on a mammogram and a second small tumor was found.

Today – 17 years later – she is a cancer survivor thanks to a self-breast exam – something the task force says doctors should no longer teach women how to do.

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force based its new recommendations on analysis from existing data. I’d love to hear how many families would like to add their “data” to the analysis.

By Colleen McVey

I just became a crime statistic.  Add my name to the increasing number of burglary victims across the Island.  In my case,  I really thought I did everything right.  Obviously I didn’t, and I found that out the hard way.

Here’s what happened–maybe you can learn from my mistake.

Two weeks ago I woke up to find my laptop and some money stolen from my kitchen.  For awhile, I could not figure out how it happened. I had locked the windows and doors, and turned on all the outdoor lights before going to bed. I even left on a light in the TV room as added (false) security.

What I didn’t do is check a door that is never used.  I just assumed it was locked and you know what they say about assuming anything.  Now I realize that door could have been unlocked since August!  The thief simply unscrewed my outdoor lights and walked right in.

My story pales in comparison to what’s been going on across the Island. In just the last few weeks:  A 15 year old girl was severely beaten by a thief in Great Neck,  a Bellmore man was critically injured by a burglar who hit him over the head, and there have been several cases of men dressing up like utility, county, or campaign workers and pushing their way into homes in broad daylight.

 Sometimes it feels like we are reporting terrifying home invasion stories on a nightly basis. What’s going on? Is it a desperate need for quick drug money? Is it the economy? Whatever the motive, these thieves are also stealing many  Long Islanders’ sense of security–including mine.

Now I check and double check my doors and windows. My dog now sleeps downstairs, and my kids are under strict orders not to answer the door if they don’t  know the person. I am also adopting that policy for myself. I used to be polite–not anymore.

By: Colleen McVey

My grandmother was only 16 years old when her mother and brother died of the flu. The year was 1918. Jobs were scare where they lived in Syracuse, so her father was working in Virginia when it happened. He found out about his wife’s and son’s deaths by reading about it in a newspaper in Virginia. The paper informed him that his family was trying to contact him.

I first heard this story when I was young, but no one has talked about it in a long time – until recently, when I was talking to my mother about the swine flu vaccine.

During our recent conversation I found out some things I never heard before. I never knew my grandmother (who again, was only a teenager) had to arrange for her mother and brother to be “laid out” in their living room. At the time, so many people were dying of the flu there was a shortage of caskets, and very few people would attend wakes or funerals for fear of getting the flu. While my grandmother was dealing with her tragedy – her best friend across the street lost both her parents. I can’t imagine what life must have been like back then. Entire families were being wiped out . The fear this young girl had to live with and how fast she had to grow up. I must admit, this is the first time I realize how sad and difficult my grandmother’s early years must have been. She ended up leaving school to take care of her father, blind brother, and an old uncle. She never talked about that. She never complained about anything – ever.

My grandmother died 17 years ago. I always knew she was the perfect grandmother – loving, patient and extremely kind – but – for the first time – I am in awe of her strength – and I know this sounds strange, but I may have the swine flu (or at least a conversation about it) to thank for that.

By: Colleen McVey

With this week’s arrests, alerts, warnings and investigations involving a possible terror plot – that unsettled feeling of being a target for terrorists is back – front and center.

A few weeks ago, I actually felt a little silly when I told a railroad ticket agent about a canister that was left on a bench at a Long Island Railroad station.

I knew it was probably nothing , but I could not stop thinking – “what if” – what if it was more than just something someone left behind by accident.

First, I looked for an MTA police officer – but none was around, so I went to the ticket window and told the ticket agent.

She just looked at me like – why are you bothering me with this? I left feeling a little embarrassed, but still satisfied that it was better to be safe than sorry.

Now, if that had happened today – I’m sure I would have gotten a different reaction.

So – once again, we are all back on high alert – all being reminded that if we “see something – say something ” (1-888-NYC-SAFE) – and let’s hope that what we don’t see – the professionals are taking care of.

By: Colleen McVey

” IN A MATTER OF A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO HOURS, NINETEEN TERRORISTS CHANGED THE COURSE OF THE WORLD. THEY SHATTERED OUR SECURITY AND TAUGHT US A NEW WORD, AL QUEDA.”

Those are the first words on a plaque at the Town of Babylon’s September 11th Memorial. The giant plaque goes on to describe, in detail, the horrific events that unfolded that crystal clear September morning.

These are the final words:

“SOME OF US ARE LEFT WITHOUT GRAVES TO VISIT. MAY THIS MEMORIAL BE A PLACE TO VISIT, TO CONNECT TO THE SPIRIT OF THOSE WE LOVE AND WHOSE LIVES WERE TAKEN BY THOSE UNSPEAKABLE ACTS.

THIS MEMORIAL STANDS IN MEMORY OF AND TRIBUTE TO THE HEROS OF OUR LIVES.”

The oceanfront hometown memorial in Babylon is dedicated to the 48 town residents who died on September 11, 2001. It is nestled in the dunes between Cedar and Overlook Beaches. As you walk into the memorial, there is a timeline of the attacks – then – a piece of steel from the twin towers. As you continue along the walkway – down into the dune – there are 48 monuments. Each is very personal and poignant. Smiling photos from happier times and special remembrances left by loved ones. There are golf balls, shamrocks, angels, rosary beads, a fire hat, tiny beach chairs, Yankee, Mets, and Giants memorabilia, poems, messages, and on one monument – a cigarette. I imagine a friend or relative came to share a smoke.

It is a tranquil and peaceful place to go to remember and pray for the husbands, wives, grandfathers, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and co-workers who died eight years ago. It is a tribute to their lives.