Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/20311
Thursday, November 25, 2010 – Daily News – 3B FEATURES 10 years or woe for cardiac patient DEAR DR. GOTT: I have never seen a column about someone who has a 100 percent blocked artery. I was diagnosed in 2000 after an angiogram as having a right artery that was 100 percent blocked. I was told by the surgeon not to eat more than three eggs a week. I’ve had to find all infor- mation on my condition all by myself. I watch my saturated fat and cholesterol intakes and walk 2 miles every other day. I’ve been to the VA doctors. They say whatever I’m doing, I should keep it up. I have no symptoms, none! When you quit smoking, they have classes and support. When you get cancer, they have classes and support. When you have diabetes, they have classes and sup- port. When you have heart disease, there is silence. I don’t know what or how much to eat. Sonnet salutes season’s sentiments Dr. Peter Gott Can I run or lift weights? I’m tak- ing a baby aspirin and 40 milligrams of Zocor. I’ve gone 10 years with wor- rying and waiting for the big one. What’s your advice? DEAR READER: My initial guess is that your doctor either misspoke or you heard him incorrectly. I don’t doubt you one bit, but I think you were misled. I’ve not known anyone with even potential cardiac problems who was not referred to a cardiologist for regu- lar follow-up. The decision of whether to perform bypass surgery or angioplasty would have depended on your general over- all condition and the extent of the heart disease. That leads me to believe you were not a candidate for surgery at that time. Part of heart health is exercise and a healthful diet. Therefore, include fresh fruits and steamed vegetables, broiled fish and chicken. If you are a beef eater, cut away the fat prior to cooking the meat. Switch to fat-free milk. Substitute low-fat or frozen yogurt for iced cream. Avoid fried foods, hot dogs, sausage, luncheon meats from the deli case of your local grocery store and tropical oils readily found in cookies and pastries. Your total cholesterol intake should be less than 200 mil- ligrams daily. Read labels. Become a savvy shopper. If you haven’t had any symptoms of a cardiac disorder for 10 years, the condition probably didn’t or doesn’t exist or isn’t/wasn’t as severe as you believe. However, to play it safe, make an appointment with a new physician for a complete physical examination and appropriate laborato- ry and X-ray testing. After all this time, I am sure you are convinced there is an underlying cardiac issue. Request a referral to a cardiologist. Present your problems and ask for answers. If additional testing is called for, have it scheduled. If something comes to light, pursue it. If not, get on with your life and put this 10-year nightmare behind you. To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Reports “Understanding Cholesterol” and Coronary Artery Disease.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order for each report made payable to Newsletter and forwarded to PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title(s) or print out an order form from my website www.AskDrGottMD.com. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. Dear Readers: Happy Thanksgiv- ing! We hope you are fortunate enough to be spending the holi- day with family and friends, and that you remembered those who are alone today and would love to be part of your family on this occasion. For those readers who are spending the day volunteer- ing at shelters and soup kitchens, bless you for your kind hearts and generosity of spirit. Many families have had a difficult year, and it may be hard to think of things to be grateful for, so we have provided some reminders: ‘‘Everyday Thanksgiv- ing’’ (Author Unknown) Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings each morning, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. There are many who are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the effort of rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden. Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely. Even though our break- fast table never looks like the pictures in magazines Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job. Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for the gift of life. ‘‘Thanksgiving Prayer’’ (Author Unknown) We come to this table today, O Lord, humble and thankful and glad. We thank Thee first for the great mira- cle of life, for the exaltation of being human, for the capacity to love. We thank Thee for joys both great and simple — For wonder, dreams and hope; For the newness of each day; For laughter and song and a merry heart; For compassion waiting within to be kindled; For the forbearance of friends and the smile of a stranger; For the arching of the earth and trees and heavens and the fruit of all three; For the wisdom of the old; For the courage of the young; For the promise of the child; For the strength that comes when needed; For this family united here today. Of those to whom much is given, much is required. • Women’s Clothing • Missy & Plus Sizes • Accessories • Shoes • Gifts Bring in coupon for 10% OFF Holiday Hours: Tues thru Sun 11am-6pm Tops • Pants Expires 11/30/10 530.865.8141 • 418 Walker Street • Orland • CA 95963 SHOP LOCAL.... Business NEW The U.S. Forest Service will be sell- ing surplus vehicles and equipment by public Internet auction. The Klamath National Forest will be selling 61 items, including trucks, trailers, loader, and miscellaneous equipment, to the highest internet bidder. Nov. 29.through Dec. 6 bid items will be available on the GSA website: www.gsaauctions.gov. Type in sale number 91QSCI11016 in the “Enter Search Text” box and press enter. Only Forest Service items will be displayed. With each item of this search there is an assigned number, description, photos and a contact name SHOP SMALL BUSINESS on Saturday, Nov. 27 SALE I’m Retiring GOING OUT OF BUSINESS Now in Progress Gayle’s 649 Main Street , Downtown Red Bluff Use your Gift Certificates & Credits now! All Sale Final. No other discounts apply Gratitude is the Memory of the Heart Juan Baptiste We are Grateful for... Our Customers What are you Grateful for? Gold Exchange 530 528-8000 423 Walnut St. Red Bluff Mexican Restaurant Visit our website: LosMariachisRedBluff.com Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Monday - Thursday 9am - 9pm Friday - Saturday - Sunday 9am - 9:30pm 530 529-5154 604 Main St. Red Bluff (Corner of Antelope & Main) Downtown Red Bluff 5pm Christmas in Christmas Parade Nov. 27th Free Carriage Rides Downtown Clock Tower 12-4pm • Nov. 27th - Dec. 11th - Dec. 18th Santa at Clock Tower 12-4pm • Dec. 4th - 11th 3:30 pm • Dec. 18th - 18th FREE drawing for 2 bicycles Clock Tower May you always be carried on Angels Wings I Believe Angels Among Us Spiritual Attributes 0f Gems Gold Exchange Exclusively at the 528-8000 423 WALNUT STREET, RED BLUFF WE WILL MEET OR BEAT ANY BLACK FRIDAY OR ADVERTISED SALE PRICES STOREWIDE ON ANY APPLIANCE OR MATTRESS APPLIANCE & MATTRESS CENTER 330 WALNUT ST., RED BLUFF CARMONA’S 530 527-5700 11/25 thru 12/31/2010 May we and our children remember this. Amen. ‘‘Things to Be Thankful For’’ (Author Unknown) Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have enough to eat. Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have been surrounded by friends. Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means that you’re employed. Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because it means you have a home. Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm. Be thankful for the laun- dry, because it means you have clothes to wear. Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means you can walk. Be thankful for the lady who sings off-key behind you in church, because it means you can hear. Be thankful people com- plain about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech. Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means you’re alive. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Forest Service vehicle and equipment auction and number if further inquiry is need- ed. Bidders are cautioned to be sure to view the Terms and Conditions, for all requirements regarding registering, bidding, payment, warranties, and removal of successfully bid items. Internet sale vehicles and equipment are available for public viewing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily starting Monday, Nov. 29, excluding the weekend, through Monday, Dec. 6 at Klamath National Forest, Yreka Service Center, 1030 S. Main St., Yreka. For more information, call 841-4651 or 841-4656.