Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/191076
Friday, October 11, 2013 – Daily News 5A FEATURES Help your doctor find time to treat you right you won't know DEAR DOChim or her as well TOR K: I like my as you know your doctor and I trust doctor. his judgment, but I Suppose, don't feel he really despite your genlistens to me or tle prodding, it explains things. becomes clear What can I do, your doctor just besides look for Dr. K isn't interested in another doctor? by Anthony L. having you DEAR READER: Like every Komaroff, M.D. involved in making decisions doctor, I am a patient as well as a doctor. about your medical care. I think I can see things It happens. In that case, from both perspectives. I'd start looking for anothLet me respond first as a er doctor. Now let me respond as patient. If you like and trust a doctor. One of the hardyour doctor, I'd recom- est things for us is finding mend that you put him to the time to do everything the test before looking for we need to do during a another. At your next visit, patient visit, given the gently but firmly make time we have. That includes time for listening certain things clear: Suppose he says some- and explaining. You can thing you don't under- help your doctor by makstand. Tell him you're ing your time with him as sorry, but you don't under- efficient as possible. If you have a chronic stand. Ask him to explain illness, remember the it again. Suppose he recom- questions your doctor asks mends a particular diag- you at most visits. Be nostic test or treatment. If ready to answer the same you're concerned about questions at this visit. For the risk, the cost or some- example, if you have diathing else, tell him that, betes, think about whether and explain why. If he you have symptoms that mentions risks, be sure he could indicate heart probtells you how likely the lems, such as chest pain or risks are. (Don't expect a feeling as though you precise answer, but ask for might pass out. If you tend to forget a rough estimate: one in 10, one in 100, one in what the doctor said at the visit, consider bring1,000?) Suppose, after hearing ing someone with you — the answer, you don't like a spouse, adult child or the doctor's recommended friend. That person can test or treatment. Then ask help make sure certain him if there are any other questions get asked. He options that you both or she can also take notes while you speak with should consider. Suppose you're dealing your doctor. The time with a potentially serious you spend with your docillness, or a test or treat- tor is precious to both of ment that has serious risks you: come prepared to — a diagnosis of cancer, make the most of your or a major operation, for visit. example. If you're not Dr. Komaroff is a sure you agree with the option your doctor has physician and professor Harvard Medical suggested, you can always at To send seek a second opinion. School. go to This is not something to questions, or do lightly: At least initial- AskDoctorK.com, ly, you won't have the write: Ask Doctor K, 10 same level of trust for Shattuck St., Second another physician, since Floor, Boston, MA 02115. Old cast-off: Mastodon tooth found in donation box GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan charity that collects donated clothing, shoes and other items for low-income residents got a really old castoff in a donation box: A mastodon tooth. The remains of the extinct relative of the elephant turned up during a July pickup in Grand Rapids, The Grand Rapids Press reported. The tooth pieces and tusk are estimated to be anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000 years old. The Christian charity, called In The Image, turned it over to the Grand Rapids Public Museum, which is adding them to its collection. ''I'd love to find out where this was from and the history behind it,'' said Jay Starkey, the charity's director. The tooth is broken into two parts and is covered in lacquer. A tusk, also covered in lacquer, is hollow at one end and also may be from a mastodon. The animals roamed North America more than 10,000 years ago, and their remains turn up from time to time in Michigan — usually buried underground. The museum already has a number of mastodon bones and the new additions will be available for loan to educators for use as a learning tool in schools. ''This is kind of an oddball way for something to come in,'' said Tim Priest, collections manager. The Over 25 years of experience STOVE JUNCTION BBQ PELLETS The North State's premier supplier of stoves Now in Stock! Man thinks parents took him to cleaners the settlement money was Dear Annie: I am a 36somehow justified. The year-old man. I was in an judge who issued the accident 25 years ago and guardianship can be asked to suffered a mild traumatic remove it. But in order to get brain injury. It was tough the money back from your growing up. When I was parents, you might have to 23, I moved out on my own. sue them. This is when the real trouDear Annie: I recently ble began. First, I started drinking, and then I abused Annie's lost my wife after many years together. It was an my medication. In 2002, I amazing marriage, and I wrecked my car while driving intoxicated. The judge by Kathy Mitchell miss her immensely. I am looking to find a told me to go to a brain and Marcy Sugar companion. The problem is, injury rehab and get my life back in order. I started my first one my daughter is not in my corner on six months later. I am in my fourth this issue. How can I reason with her that it's my life and dating or one right now. My parents became my legal even marrying again is not being guardians without discussing it with disrespectful to my late wife's me. After the accident, I received memory? — Lonely Widower Dear Widower: How long ago money from a settlement and was assured by the attorney that no one is ''recently''? While your dating could touch it without my approval. life is not your daughter's business, Yet my parents have gone through we can understand her concern if that money without any input from your wife died less than six months me. They used it to get their house ago. She may worry that you will ready to sell and promised to reim- rush into an inappropriate or abuburse me. They sold the place a year sive relationship out of loneliness, ago, and now they have the nerve to so please be cautious. Regardless, say that I gave them the money as a this is your decision. Please talk to ''gift.'' I did no such thing. What your daughter and assure her that no one will take her mother's place in now? — J.D. Dear J.D.: You need to talk to a your heart, but you miss the comlawyer. Your parents undoubtedly panionship and warmth that another requested guardianship in order to person can provide. Explain that it protect you at a time when you were is unfair of her to expect you to going through some difficulties. remain alone for the rest of your And it's also possible they expend- life, and you hope she will someday ed a great deal of money on your be happy for you if you find love care and rehab and felt that taking again. Mailbox 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com Over the past several months, mortgage interest rates have begun creeping higher. It's not too late to refinance to get a lower rate, but you need to move quickly, while rates are still in the 4-percent range. Even though banks are in business to lend money, they aren't making things easy for homeowners. Before you walk through the front door of your local bank or credit union to seek a refi, here are some basic guidelines to help simplify the process: INCOME. The borrowers' combined gross monthly income needs to be approximately three times the new mortgage payment, including interest, principal, taxes and insurance. You will be required to verify this with tax returns. You will be breaking the law if the income on your loan is not substantiated by your income tax returns. CREDIT REPORTS. Review your credit reports (get free copies at AnnualCreditReport.com), looking for incorrect information. Get all errors corrected using the dispute process (instructions will come with each report). You cannot remove correct information, even if it is negative. But you can make an explanation to the loan agent for old Saturday, November 9, 2013 Rolling Hills Casino Tickets $28.00 Reservations only by October 28th 529-9679 entries that happened years ago, back what you borrow before they before you got smart about give you a loan. No more than about 38 percent of your income money and credit. FICO SCORE. While you should go toward paying all of your have many credit scores, the debts, including your mortgage. Ideally, banks are looking one your lender is for debt ratios under 20 most likely to percent, with 16-19 percent consider is your considered optimal. FICO score. You can SIT TIGHT. During the get yours at myFico.com weeks and months that for about $15 each. Coyour refi is in escrow, make borrowers' scores will be sure you do not take on any averaged to come up new debt or make any with one score for your changes at all to the inforrefi. These days, mortmation on your loan appligage lenders are looking cation. for FICO scores of 680 Mary Assume that the lender and above just to qualify. will pull your credit reports Scores over 740 are conand credit scores again sidered good in today's right before funding your market; above 760 is refinance to make sure golden. Under 720 will nothing has changed. cost you; below 700 will While refinancing, your become painfully expenmortgage will not be simsive. LOAN-TO-VALUE. Your loan- ple, but dropping your interest rate to-value is determined by dividing will be worth the effort. the loan amount by the appraised Mary Hunt is the founder of value of the home. For example, if you need to refinance $200,000 and www.DebtProofLiving.com and your home is appraised for author of 23 books, including her $400,000, your loan-to-value will 2012 release, "7 Money Rules for be 50 percent ($200,000 / $400,000 Life." You can email her at = .50). This needs to be 80 percent mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, or less to get the best deal. DEBT RATIO. The bank wants P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA to be sure you can afford to pay 90630. Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Indiana dog that crashed half-marathon gets medal EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — An Indiana dog who became an Internet sensation after crashing a half marathon has won a medal — and an appointment with a veterinarian to nip his wandering ways in the bud. The chocolate Labrador retriever named Boogie ran RUNNINGS ROOFING Sheet Metal Roofing Residential Commercial • Composition • Shingle • Single Ply Membrane "No Job Too Steep" " No Job Too Flat" Serving Tehama County No Money 530-527-5789 530-209-5367 CA. LIC#829089 Down! FREE ESTIMATES Owner is on site on every job CattleWomen's Luncheon & Fashion Show Harvest Moon Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. What to know to refinance your mortgage Popular customer request Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties Tues-Sat 9am-5pm • Closed Sun & Mon Dear Annie: After reading the letter from ''Broken'' about her husband's affair with his father's hospice nurse, my hair is on fire! I am a licensed clinical social worker by profession and have been CEO of a large regional hospice for 27 years. In hospice, both the patient and family are one unit of care. Professional boundaries are important. This work is emotional and intimate by its nature. But sexual or personal relationships are never appropriate. Patients and families are in a vulnerable position. The supervision of that nurse and her ethical standards are absolutely unacceptable. ''Broken'' should ask for the administrator of that hospice program and make a formal complaint. If she does not get a response or resolution, she should make a complaint to the agency in her state that licenses and regulates hospice providers. She would be doing others a favor by not allowing this kind of behavior to continue. Any hospice that allows such a situation to continue unchecked should not be able to care for patients and their families. — I Am Appalled SPAGHETTI DINNER Saturday October 12, 2013 6pm to 7pm Social Hour Red Bluff VFW Hall (no host bar) 7pm Dinner Served $10 each 530-736-6441 Coming to Corning Soon Tickets available: P.O. Box 8538 Red Bluff most of the 13.1 miles in Saturday's Evansville event and then was taken to Animal Control. Owner Jerry Butts tells the Evansville Courier & Press that the 100-pound dog slipped his leash Friday night. It was his fourth escape. Butts says Boogie now has a microchip and an appointment to be neutered. Boogie finished the race in 2 hours, 15 minutes. That's better than more than half of the race's participants.