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2B Daily News – Tuesday, October 22, 2013 FEATURES Emergency room an exciting place and then a person DEAR DOCwho is seeing and TOR K: My son is talking to people in medical school who aren't there. and is thinking of And all that is specializing in interspersed with emergency medipeople with bad cine. What are the colds, or twisted qualities of a good ankles, to give emergency mediyou a little cine doctor? Dr. K breather. DEAR READby Anthony L. You have to ER: When I was a Komaroff, M.D. know just what to medical student, I was attracted to work in do, and fast, to handle a the emergency department remarkably wide range of (ED). (EDs are also called problems. Make the right emergency rooms, or ERs decision, and you save a — as in the TV show.) It life. Make the wrong one, was really exciting. So and the patient may get many of the patients were even sicker. And somevery sick, but if you made times, you have just minthe right diagnosis and utes to make your decigave the right treatment, sion — or nature will you could save lives — make it for you. Emergency medicine is every day. Ultimately I decided to the purest form of rapid Emergency go in a different direction, diagnosis. but I understand your doctors don't get a patient son's interest in emer- with a diagnosis; instead, gency medicine. I recom- they get a patient with mend that your son — and symptoms. It's up to the you — read an enlighten- doctor to make the right ing new book written by call. ED doctors must be my Harvard Medical School colleague Dr. fast-paced, but able to Michael VanRooyen with stop on a dime; able to John Hanc: "Code Blue: grasp the big picture, but wellThe Making of an Emer- detail-oriented; gency Physician." In the trained but flexible; able book, Dr. VanRooyen, to make a decision, and who is himself an emer- often to lead a team of gency physician, reflects health professionals to on the traits that charac- provide urgent care for a terize a top ED physician. patient. If this sounds like the ED doctors must think fast and be able to make skill set required of a decisions quickly, but they commander in battle, also must be calm under that's because it is. And if pressure. When it's crunch it also sounds like the role time, ED doctors must of a point guard on an tune out all the distrac- NBA basketball team, tions and noise around that's because it is. That's a lot to ask them. They must zero in on a problem and make from any physician, and quick, aggressive deci- it's why emergency medicine is not for everyone. sions. A big part of what But it is exactly the right makes emergency medi- choice for the right kind cine unique and com- of doctor. pelling is the variety of Dr. Komaroff is a patients and problems ED doctors care for. That's physician and professor Harvard Medical another part of emergency at To send medicine that appealed to School. go to me. You might see a per- questions, AskDoctorK.com, or son with terrible abdominal pain — then someone write: Ask Doctor K, 10 who suddenly can't move Shattuck St., Second his right arm and leg — Floor, Boston, MA 02115. PG&E warns of telephone scam Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is alerting customers to be aware of a telephone scam demanding immediate payment for allegedly past due electricity bills. This scam appears to target both business and residential customers, including Spanish speaking customers. Customers throughout the utility's service area – including Butte County – have reported receiving calls warning that their electric service will be disconnected unless they make immediate payment through a prepaid cash card, such as a PayPal or Green Dot card. The company reminds customers that its representatives never ask for immediate payment with a prepaid cash card over the phone or in person. PG&E offers the following tips to help protect customers from potential scams: • PG&E's Credit Department will not ask for personal information or a credit card number over the phone. Anyone who has received such a phone call and provided credit card or checking account information should report it immediately to the credit card company or bank and law enforcement. • Customers with concerns about the legitimacy of a call about a past due bill, service request or request for personal information are encouraged to call PG&E at 1800-743-5000. • Customers should always ask to see identification before allowing anyone claiming to be a PG&E representative inside their home. PG&E employees always carry their identification and are willing to show it to you. • If a person claiming to be a PG&E employee has identification and you still feel uncomfortable, call the customer service line at 1-800-743-5000 to verify an appointment and PG&E's presence in the community. If you feel threatened in any way, notify local law enforcement immediately. • Customers who have an appointment with PG&E will receive an automated call back within 48 hours prior to a scheduled visit, or a personal call from a PG&E gas service representative prior to a scheduled visit. The company takes security seriously and will actively work with law enforcement to help stop any scam victimizing customers. Anyone who has received such a call can report it immediately by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. CARE TO COMMENT? At redbluffdailynews.com, scroll to the end of any story, click the link and type away. Woman's hubby enjoys strange fetish recently got my hair cut, and Dear Annie: My husshe's made enough nasty litband and I are in our midtle barbs for me to know she 30s and happily married. doesn't like it. That's OK. I We have sex almost every am not so childish or insenight. Here's the problem: I cure that I need everyone to found out this past summer like my hair. I'm happy with that my husband is kinky. I it, and that's enough. But saw him smelling my worn another woman in our lingerie, as well as our teenage daughter's and my Annie's department jokingly said to our boss, "How do you like mother's. What makes a your 'new' assistant? Doesman want to do this with women's clothing? I've by Kathy Mitchell n't she look sexy with that never heard of women and Marcy Sugar haircut?" My boss walked off in a huff. smelling men's shorts. Is What can I do to stop this behavthis normal? — A Dumbfounded ior? My husband says she is jealous, Wife Dear Dumbfounded: Your hus- but there is no reason for that. I band is turned on by the scent of don't believe I look any better than worn women's underwear. This is she does. We are similar in age, not an uncommon fetish. As long as height and weight. I would never be everything else in your marriage rude to her and don't understand and sex life is good, we wouldn't why she wants to hurt me. She gets worry too much about this, although defensive when criticized, so I'm you should insist he limit his fetish hesitant about opening this can of to your undergarments and leave his worms. Any suggestions? — Need daughter's and your mother's alone. a Thicker Skin Dear Need: Your boss could be It's creepy. Dear Annie: My boss has jealous, which doesn't need a ratiobecome a good friend. We eat lunch nal cause, or she could be extremetogether most days and sometimes ly possessive and not want others to meet up after work. She is smart, notice you in a way that might fun, kind and generous. But she divert your attention from her. As can't stand it when others compli- your boss, she should not be putting you in a position where you are ment me. She gets angry if anyone com- afraid to speak up. Since you conments on my clothing or hair. A sider her a friend, the next time this man in our office once said I "look happens, casually mention that her nice today," and she practically bit reaction gives the appearance that his head off, saying it's rude to com- she's jealous. Then change the subment on a woman's appearance in ject. She may deny it and even be the presence of another woman. I angry, but it might have the desired Mailbox effect if it makes her examine her behavior more closely. Dear Annie: "Awaiting Your Help" is upset that a friend is bringing her husband to the monthly girls' night out. I wish my friends had welcomed my husband to these evenings. While I was sharing good times with my girlfriends, my husband was out meeting women from the Internet in seedy motels. He gave me two sexually transmitted diseases before I found out. He appears to be a great guy on the surface, but underneath, he's a slimeball who has lied and cheated for years. I no longer go to girls' night out. My friends hate my husband and will not come to my house. I've joined a support group, but I miss my friends. My social life consists of a weekly trip to the grocery. I am sad and miserable. Please let your friend bring her husband to your nights out. Otherwise, he might find another form of entertainment. — Not Living the Dream Dear Not Living: Why are you still with this lying, cheating slimeball? Get counseling, and if nothing changes, get out. Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Vinegar: One powerful household product It costs hardly anything, is available in every grocery store in the universe and is so useful around your home that you are going to have a hard time believing it. That's the power of vinegar. Yep -- plain, cheap, 5 percent acidity, white vinegar. 1. Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to a quart of very warm water to make a good window cleaner. Wipe with crumpled newspaper and your windows will sparkle. 2. Instead of fabric softener or dryer sheets, add 1/2 to 1 cup vinegar to the last rinse in your washing machine (as you would liquid softener). Your clothes will come out soft because the vinegar helps to remove every trace of laundry detergent, which cause fabrics to stiffen. 3. Vinegar will dissolve hardwater marks like those on shower doors, faucets and in vases. If the vinegar is hot (heat in the microwave) it works even faster. 4. Instead of pricey commercial rinse agents, fill that little reservoir in your dishwasher with white vinegar. Your dishes will sparkle. Refill often. If your dishwasher does not have this feature, simply add 1/2 to 1 cup (depending on the hardness of 9. Wash your vinyl and ceramic your water) into the last rinse. 5. Wash your windshield tile floors with a mixture of hot with vinegar to help keep ice water and white vinegar (1 cup per gallon of water). No need to rinse and frost at bay. 6. Vinegar makes a great and you will never have that nasty film that plain water leaves w a l l p a p e r behind. And Wow! Your remover. First floor will shine line a new remove all the wallpenny. paper you can by sim10. White vinegar will ply pulling it off. You'll take the sting out of sunprobably get only the top burn. Just soak a towel and layer of the paper, but apply to the burn. The that's okay. Now spray smell is far more tolerable full-strength vinegar on that the pain of a sunburn. what remains. This will Caution: Never self-treat a begin to dissolve the severe burn. Contact your glue. Once softened, Mary health professional immeyou'll be able to remove diately if you have any the rest without harsh doubts. chemicals. 11. Clean your steam 7. Use the acidity of iron. Fill the steam reservinegar to tenderize voir with white vinegar and meat. I add several tableheat to the hottest setting spoons to pot roast, (after you've consulted the soups and stews. If you have balsamic vinegar it will add a owners manual to make sure your wonderful flavor, but white vinegar iron is compatible with this). It's tenderizes just as well. Your guests going to steam vinegar so get prewill think you are serving them filet pared for a strong smell. You will see all kinds of hard water deposits mignon. 8. You can clean copper-bottom come out of the steam holes. Empty pots with a paste made of salt and remaining vinegar, fill with water vinegar. Caution: Do not use this on and allow it to steam well to remove decorative copper that has a lacquer all traces of vinegar. Repeat as necessary. coating. Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Be prepared on quake anniversary SAN FRANCISCO – Serving an area that is prone to earthquakes and other natural disasters, emergency preparedness for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and its customers is critically important. PG&E's Emergency Preparedness and Response organization is continuously focused on strengthening the utility's coordination between first responders and the communities we serve when natural disasters strike. "We know it's just a matter of time before the next big earthquake impacts our region," said Barry Anderson, vice president of emergency preparedness and response for PG&E. "Every day our employees work, train and prepare to face emergencies when they arise, and we encourage our customers to do the same." As this week marks the anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake, PG&E reminds customers that first responders may not be able to respond quickly to everyone who needs help during times of crisis. That's why personal preparedness is so important. A wealth of safety and readiness information is available through PG&E's website, at www.pge.com/safetycentral and through the Feder- al Emergency Management Agency at http://www.ready.gov. PG&E offers the following information to help customers develop a preparedness plan to protect themselves and their families before, during and after an earthquake strikes: Before: • Have an emergency plan and conduct drills with your family and childcare providers. • Know how and when to turn off electricity, water and gas at the main switch or valve. Have emergency supplies on hand such as a portable radio and flashlights with fresh batteries, bottled water, a first aid kit, blankets, food, alternative cooking fuel, a minimum two week supply of needed medications, and crescent or pipe-type wrenches for turning off gas and water mains if necessary. Securely anchor water heaters, heavy appliances and heavy furniture that could topple. Keep flammable liquids away from water heaters, furnaces, stoves and other potential ignition sources. Know the safe spots in each room, like under a sturdy desk or table. Remember to stay away from windows, mirrors, hanging objects and fireplaces. Plan evacuation routes from places where tsunamis present a risk to you and your family (home, school, and workplace). If possible, pick areas 100 feet above sea level or two miles inland. You should be able to reach your safe location on foot within 15 minutes. During: If you are indoors, stay inside. Get under a sturdy desk or table. If you are outdoors, get into the open, away from buildings, trees, walls and power lines. Be alert for falling debris. If you are driving, pull to the side of the road and stop. Do not park under overpasses, power lines, light posts, trees or signs. Stay in your car until the earthquake is over. After: Check for injuries and ensure that everyone is safe. Check for damage. If you smell or hear escaping gas, get everyone outside. Use a phone away from the building to call 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 immediately. If you smell or hear gas escaping, and are able to do so safely, shut off the gas at the main gas service shutoff valve using a suitable tool like a 12 to 15 inch adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench. The valve is normally located near your gas meter. Do not shut off the valve unless you smell or hear gas escaping. Once you shut-off the gas, do not turn it back on. If the gas service shutoff valve is closed, contact PG&E or another qualified professional to perform a safety inspection before the gas service is restored and the appliance pilots are lit. If you suspect a gas leak, do not use electrical switches, appliances or telephones, because sparks can ignite gas from broken lines. Do not check for a gas leak with a match or an open flame. If the power goes out, unplug major appliances to prevent possible damage when the power is turned back on. Keep a light on to let you know when power is restored. During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights instead of candles due to the risk of fire. If you must use candles, keep them away from drapes, lamp shades and small children and never leave them unattended. Treat all downed power lines as if they are energized and extremely dangerous. Keep yourself and others away from them. Call 911, and then notify PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.