Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/29946
Saturday, April 23, 2011 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Scurrility suspected, son scoffs Readers question shingles vaccine Dear Annie: I took care of my grandson three days a week for the first two years of his life. He is now 3, and I have not been allowed to see him for nearly a year because I noticed clear evidence of sexual abuse and told my son. I took my tions. It is a very wrong world when this cannot be stopped. — Northern Califor- nia Dear Califor- Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar observations to many pro- fessionals, including pediatricians, therapists, Child Protective Services, a family law attorney and even therapists who treat perpetrators. They all agreed there was abuse. My daughter-in-law has a history of dysfunc- tion. She was diagnosed with Munchausen syn- drome, which means she makes up stories to get attention. My son is depressed, drinks too much and is a workaholic who is seldom home. I had no way to get a witness or to somehow record the behavior prov- ing my grandson was being abused. The result is, no one can do anything except slowly build a case so that if future reports come in from teachers or doctors, there will be a record. The tragedy is that the abuse has to con- tinue for many more years before there might be enough evidence to take action. There is now a second child, but I’ve not been allowed to see him. I keep encouraging my son to figure this out and seek help. He refuses to believe any of it and demonizes me for ‘‘lying.’’ I’ve been told there is nothing else I can do, but am hoping you or your readers have sugges- nia: If your grand- son regularly sees a pediatrician, any sexual abuse should be noted and reported. We are surprised this hasn’t happened and worry that perhaps you are misinterpreting the signs. Please contact stopitnow.org for more information and assis- tance. If you are certain there is abuse, we urge you to find a way to get back into your son’s good graces so you will be in a position to help those children. Say you’re sorry. Beg for forgiveness. Whatever it takes. Those boys need someone to watch out for them. Dear Annie: My hus- band is 55 years old and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes six years ago. In addition, he suffers from high blood pressure and high cholesterol. His doctor prescribed oral medications and suggest- ed he follow a low-carb diet. My husband has paid no attention whatsoever to his doctor’s advice. He eats fast food at least once a day. He dislikes vegeta- bles and instead eats rice and potatoes, adding excessive amounts of salt and butter. He also snacks on sugary treats with no regard to the effect they have on his blood sugar levels. Worse, he is lax about taking his medica- tions. I am having a tough time watching helplessly as my husband slowly commits suicide. He The Sacramento Veterans Resource Center provides transitional housing, employment services, vocational rehabil- itation, and behavioral health treatment services. The center has a fully accessible, state of the art resource room equipped with computers, internet, printers, fax machine, phone usage, and job postings for attainment of employment. Addition- al services include resume and interview preparation. The target population of the Veterans Employment Assistance Program (VEAP) grant is recently returned unem- ployed veterans returning from the con- flicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The needs of veterans include extensive ignores my concerns. Any advice? — Con- cerned Wife Dear Wife: There isn’t much you can do about someone who insists on making unhealthy choic- es. Your husband could be depressed, or he may need a diet that gives him different options. Talk to his doctor. See a nutri- tionist. Try to get Hubby to take romantic walks with you. And contact the American Diabetes Asso- ciation (diabetes.org) for online support. Dear Annie: This is in response to ‘‘Lucky but Not Happy,’’ who married her husband for stability, but is no longer content because there is no pas- sion. Whatever happened to marriage vows? Did she not say ‘‘for better or worse?” What would hap- pen if the tables were turned and she became ill and could no longer per- form in the bedroom? Would it be OK if her husband found something ‘‘better?’’ I am so tired of people getting divorced simply because they are bored with their spouse. Too bad. Unless there is abuse or other untenable cir- cumstances, you made a lifetime commitment. People need to start keep- ing their promises, or they are meaningless. — In It Till the End 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.n et, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Veterans employment assistance employers and sectors for job search for job search, and wellness assistance to reduce isolation, improve success in non- military employment and deal with any post-traumatic stress and/or health issues. For immediate assistance, please call the SVRC at 916-393-8387. The Sacra- mento Resource Center is a 501c (3) non- profit organization dedicated to serving veterans within the local community. Eligibility: • OEF/OIF Campaign Veteran • Veterans who have served 180 days (6months) of active duty or more • Current income of $22,000 or less • Discharged from active duty (all career assessment testing, vocational training, including specific training to align skills learned in the military with competitive industry standards, job search assistance targeting translating military skills into civilian language and targeting specific Diesel Tech and 4x4 Club will hold its Unlimited Vehicle & Equipment Show and Swap, rain or shine, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April except dishonorable) • Employable, actively seeking work For more information please call (916)393- 8387(VETS) or attend orienta- tion held every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. The Sacramento Veterans Resource Center is at 7270 E. Southgate Drive in Sacramento. College to hold vehicle, equipment swap The Shasta College 30, in the Shasta College East Parking Lot. Admission is $3 per person (under 16 yrs. is free); Vehicle registration is $15 each - early regis- tration, $20 registration – the day of show, and $5 for each additional vehi- cle. For more informa- tion, call 242-2213 or send an email to dustinevans1966@gmail. com. MERLE HAGGARD DEAR DR. GOTT: I just took the shingles vaccine at a local drugstore. I filled out papers but nowhere did it mention that any- one who had a history of cancer should not take the vaccine. Please advise. DEAR DR. GOTT: In your recent column, you said that the shingles vaccine should not be given to former cancer patients. I am in remission from large B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I have Wegener’s granulomatosis, which although in remission, is still there. The Wegener’s is the reason that a shingles vaccine is recommended. I will be hav- ing CD19 level blood testing before any vaccination, but with my history, should I still have the vaccine? DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your recent article regarding the shingles vaccine with much interest. My doctor recom- mended the vaccine for me; however, I am reluctant to get it. My concern is that I understand the vaccine is formulated with live virus and my white blood count is below normal. Neither my doctor nor a pharmacist was able to comment on this. DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your article that the shingles vaccine is not right for everyone. I am 65 now and I had ovarian cancer 25 years ago with chemotherapy on weekends once a month for a year. Your article said I shouldn’t have the vaccine because I had cancer. Does this hold true for me even though I had can- cer so long ago? Also, I can’t remember if I had chickenpox. Please advise. DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a white male, age 58-1/2. I had chickenpox as a child and suffered with a classic case of shin- gles in February 2010. I received a pre- scription at a cost of about $300 for 21 pills, seven days’ worth, that helped tremendously. I asked my doctor at that time about the vaccine, and he said he had not stud- ied the vaccine enough yet, as it was new in February 2010. Could you please enlighten me about new information regarding this vaccine or where to go for new information about it because I don’t want the discomfort again? DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your col- umn on the shingles vaccine with inter- est. However, I am wondering why you stated that those undergoing radiation for cancer or with a history of cancer should not have it. In 2009, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. I also turned 60 that year and asked my oncol- ogist about having the shingles vaccine. He said I could have it as long as I wait- ed one month after I finished chemother- apy. I was undergoing radiation at the time when I had the vaccine and seem to have no issues as a result. Have I done myself harm or is the vaccine or effective? Also, if the vaccine only lasts six years, should I have another when I am 66 or avoid it owing to my cancer his- tory? Dr. Peter Gott DEAR READERS: Thank you all for writing. When I wrote this article, I acquired the information from reputable sources to include the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion that specifically indicates people with a weakened immune system because of HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system, treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy, a history of cancer affect- ing the bone marrow or lymphatic sys- tem such as leukemia or lymphoma, and women who are or might be pregnant should not get the vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administra- tion mirrors this and states conditions such as cancer of the lymph, bone or blood and those with a weakened immune system caused by treatments such as radiation should not be immu- nized. Drugs.com indicates if a person has leukemia or lymphoma (or other cancer affecting bone marrow) or a weakened immune system caused by disease or by receiving medication such as steroids or chemotherapy, they should not take the vaccine. The Mayo Clinic indicates the vaccine isn’t recommended if a person has a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDs, lymphoma or leukemia or is receiving immune system-suppressing drugs such as steroids, radiation or chemotherapy and more. The website www.Zostavax.com indi- cates that patients should not get the vac- cine if they have a weakened immune system. MedlinePlus indicates a person who has a weakened immune system because of treatment with drugs that affect the immune system such as prolonged use of high-dose steroids, cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy, cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system such as leukemia or lymphoma should not get the vaccine. Therefore, I stand by my original March statement that indicated there are some people who should not receive the vaccine. However, that said, I defer to each reader’s oncologist, hematologist or other specialists who may have a differ- ent view on the subject. Thank you all for writing. 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. Natural gas rates to increase in May Pacific Gas and Electric Company has announced that it received approval of its revenue needs in the 2011-2014 Gas Transmis- sion and Storage Rate Case from the California Public Utilities Commission. PG&E’s average resi- dential gas rate will increase 0.9 percent to $1.20 per therm as a result of the GT&S decision. This change will be reflect- ed in rates on May 1. An average residential cus- tomer would see a monthly bill increase of 40 cents to $44.51, while an average small commercial cus- tomer would see an increase of $3.10 to $271.40. The CPUC decision will enable PG&E to spend close to $200 mil- lion on upgrading and replacing pipelines and regulating facilities. It also requires PG&E starting this October to file semi- annual safety reports on how the utility budgets money for gas projects funded by the new rev- enues and how it ranks projects for capital invest- ments to improve reliabili- ty and safety. For more information visit: pge.com/about/news- room/. Live Concert, May 5, 2011 Historic State Theatre, Red Bluff, CA TICKET OUTLETS: RED BLUFF: Sparrow Fine Arts, 644 Main St; Crossroads Feed & Supply, 595 Antelope Blvd. INFO: 1-866-443-3527 AVAILABLE AT THIS STORE LOCATION ONLY RED BLUFF Kevin Smith and Phillip Smith 570 South Main St., Red Bluff CA 96080 • 527-6640 Mon.-Fri. 9:00am to 7:00pm, Sat. 9:00am to 6:00pm, Sun. 11:00am to 4:00pm