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Friday, January 28, 2011 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Baffling book bequest begets brooding Dear Annie: Last August, one of my favorite authors published a new book. My husband told me not to buy it and hinted that his parents were planning to get it for me for Christ- mas. This was the type of thing they had done before, and I was happy to wait. However, come Christ- mas Day, the book they gave me was something entirely different and not one I was eager to read. I was initially exasperated because I had given up several opportunities to buy my book at a discount, and the book they purchased was about hiking. I do not hike, camp or par- ticipate in any similar outdoor activ- ities and had absolutely no interest in this book. Although my in-laws had given me inappropriate or head- scratching gifts before, this one took the cake. Now, a month later, my husband and I are thinking there may be more to it. His mother had specifi- cally told him she was buying me the book I wanted. His concern is that his mother, who is 77, may be suffering from dementia. Her own mother had it for years at that age. We are not sure if the book thing was a simple mistake or an early sign of a more serious problem. We obviously cannot come out and ask her why she bought a hiking book instead of the one she knew I want- ed. We would sound accusatory and ungrateful. Can you suggest a way we could approach her with our concerns without prying? — Concerned Daughter-in- Law Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Concerned: There is no need to point out the book’s unsuitability. Mom’s family history, however, indicates a need to pay attention. Make a point to see and speak to her often. Does she forget familiar names? Have trouble recall- ing what keys are for? Where the milk goes? Does she follow the conversation? There also could be hearing loss that prevents her from participating appropriately or medications that interfere with cognition. We hope she has a good doctor, preferably a geriatrician, who will evaluate her at her next checkup. You might call the doctor in advance and alert him or her. Dear Annie: I have a co-worker who’s impossible to work with. I’ve always been nice to him and treated him with respect. But he rudely ignores me when I speak to him, and whenever he hears me talking (not too loudly), he always tells me to shut up. When I say hello, he seems reluctant to return the greet- ing. I feel he doesn’t like me and prefers that I don’t work near him. I don’t want a confrontation, nor do I want to get him into trouble. I just want this peacefully resolved. What should I do? — Snubbed Co-Work- er Dear Snubbed: It’s possible your co-worker has a social or audi- tory problem, and your best bet is simply to be polite and tolerant. However, if that is not the case, you need to speak to him privately. Explain that you are certain he doesn’t intend to treat you so rude- ly, and ask how the two of you can help make the workplace environ- ment more professional. Dear Annie: I was disappointed in your comments to ‘‘Vietnam Vet,’’ whose fiancee, ‘‘Nancy,’’ has endured various sexual assaults. You wrote that ‘‘there are statutes of limitations on reporting such crimes.’’ There is no statute of limi- tations to report a crime, only for prosecuting crimes. Reporting crimes, even if they are beyond the statute of limita- tions, is important, especially for crimes involving sexual predators. Each of the individuals who assault- ed Nancy may have assaulted oth- ers. Her reporting may help law enforcement in a current or past case involving another victim. — T. B., Capitola, Calif. Dear T.B.: Thank you for clarify- ing the point. Still, Nancy seems reluctant to report these crimes, and the decision to do so should be hers. 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. United Way mandatory agency workshop United Way of Northern California is holding an agency workshop as an opportunity to gather local non profits and answer any and all questions pertaining to fund- ing opportunities through the California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC), the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and the Local United Way Campaign. If you are applying for funding or are considering applying in the future, attendance at this workshop is mandatory. The workshop is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at Wetter Hall, 1740 Walnut St. in Red Bluff. An alter- nate workshop is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at United Way of Northern California, 2280 Benton Drive, Building B, in Redding. Please RSVP for the workshop by calling 241-7521 ext. 101. An agenda will follow. Feel free to bring your lunch, drinks will be provided. Fibrocystic breast pain can be treated DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 37- year-old female. I have been told that I have fibrocystic breast tissue (in both breasts). This is an extremely painful condition, but I was told that nothing could be done for it. The pain has gotten so bad that there are days I can hardly stand it. It has become a problem between my husband and me. Is there anything you can tell me about this con- dition? Is there anything I can do about the pain? I have had mammograms, and nothing was found. I can’t stand it anymore! DEAR READER: Dr. Peter Gott include a low-fat diet, avoiding caf- feine, wearing a sports bra during exercise and while sleeping, and using a firm sup- port bra (profes- sionally fitted is best). Some women have found that taking one capsule of Fibrocystic breasts are fairly common, with more than half of all women experiencing fibrocystic changes within their life- times. These changes involve the development of cysts, the overgrowth of cells lining the milk ducts (hyperplasia) or the milk- producing tissues (lob- ules), scar-like tissue (fibrosis) and enlarged breast lobules. The workshop is a great time to turn in your application if you have not done so already. If you choose to not turn in your applications during the workshop, completed applications can be sent by the due date to: United Way of Northern California, PO Box 990248, Redding, CA 96099. The deadlines for both the CSECC (State) and CFC (Federal), will be 5 p.m. Thurs- day, Feb. 17. If you, for some reason, have not received your CSECC of CFC application, visit the following websites to down- load: CSECC (State Funding): http://www.vcgcb.ca.gov/csecc/applications.aspx. Select the Affiliate Application. CFC (Federal Funding): http://www.opm.gov/cfc/char- ities/modelcharityapp.asp. Select the Local Independent Application. LaMalfa announces committee assignments Senator Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, announced recently that he would be serving on a number of Senate Committees and serv- ing as the leading Republican member of two, the Natural Resources Committee and the Elections and Constitutional Amend- ments Committee. "Sitting on these committees means I’ll be right in the thick of things this year, espe- cially in light of Governor Brown’s proposal to realign services to counties,” said LaMalfa. "I’m also pleased to be named Vice Chair of A Clean, Reliable, Trustworthy, Chimney Company... Possible? ”Their tarps are always clean and my home is always clean afterward. What I like best is their reliability and quality.” “I can trust them!” Dr. Evan Reasor Flue Season 527 3331 THE Chimney Professionals the Natural Resources and Water Committee, which covers subjects ranging from water sup- ply to forestry. This committee has a key impact on our North State communities and you can be sure that I’ll be a strong advocate for our region. LaMalfa Senator LaMalfa also noted that he was previ- ously appointed to the Budget & Fiscal Review Commit- tee, and now also appointed to the Committee of Governance & Finance as well as the Joint Leg- islative Audit Committee. new responsibilities mean he will These changes are nor- mal and most often occur in women between ages 20 and 50. Post- menopausal women rarely experience these changes unless they are on hor- mone therapy. spend much of his time working to trim government waste and bureau- cracy. The Senator’s full committee list includes the following: Vice Chairman, Natural Resources Committee; Vice Chairman, Elec- tions and Constitutional Amend- ments; Agriculture; Budget & Fis- cal Review; Governance & Finance; Veterans Affairs; Joint Legislative Audit Committee; Joint Committee on Fisheries & Aqua- culture These LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer rep- resenting the fourth Senate District including Tehama, Shasta, Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Siskiyou, Sutter, Del Norte, Placer, Trinity, Yuba and Nevada counties. Symptoms include breast lumps, pain or ten- derness, areas of thicken- ing, fluctuating lump size, increasing pain or “lumpi- ness” from ovulation until just before menstruation and green or dark brown non-bloody nipple dis- charge. Women with absent or minor symptoms do not require treatment. Severe pain or large cysts may necessitate therapy. Aspi- rating cysts is beneficial. The fluid confirms that the lump is a cyst and not a tumor. It essentially removes the lesion and often reduces the pain. If a cyst continues to return after aspiration, surgical removal may be appropri- ate. Pain is often treated with over-the-counter relievers such as aceta- minophen or ibuprofen. Oral contraceptives can ease the pain caused by menstrual cycles. Danazol is a prescription medica- tion that can relieve severe breast pain by mimicking a male sex hormone; how- ever, it can cause acne, excess body hair and more, thus limiting its use. Home remedies evening primrose oil up to three times a day can manage breast pain and other symptoms. Fibrocystic breast changes are not a risk fac- tor for breast cancer; how- ever, because some of the symptoms overlap, it is important to undergo test- ing to ensure that the lesions caused by the cysts or thickening are not, in fact, caused by cancer or a tumor. As you can plainly see from my answer, there are, in fact, several things you can do in an effort to relieve the pain you are experiencing. Either return to your physician and demand answers as to why he or she didn’t pro- vide you with this infor- mation or request a refer- ral to a gynecologist with experience in diagnosing and treating painful fibro- cystic breasts. There is no reason for you to suffer from severe and near-debilitating pain when there are treatment options available that may help. Your doctor has dropped the ball. If you would like to learn more about your condition, the Mayo Clinic has an easy- to-understand article online at www.MayoClin- ic.com/health/fibrocystic- breasts/DS01070. To provide related information, I am send- ing you a copy of my Health Report “Manag- ing Chronic Pain.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to men- tion the title or print an order form off my web- site at www.AskDr- GottMD.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