Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/33836
Saturday, June 11, 2011 – Daily News 5A FEATURES Lady laments lover’s looped, limp leanings Dear Annie: I am in my late 50s, divorced, with a career that spans 30 years. I have been successful in my life with one exception — relationships. I have been with ‘‘Ted’’ for more than seven years. The first half was good, but the second half has been a constant struggle. The problems began when Ted retired at age 55. His addic- tions flourished — exces- sive drinking, credit card spending and Internet usage. The problem is, Ted has too much time on his hands and nothing construc- tive to keep him busy. He is border- line bipolar, and when he drinks, he becomes difficult to be around. Ted also suffers from erectile dysfunc- tion, which causes sexual and emo- tional imbalances in our relation- ship. lems and their relationships. Give Ted one more chance to come with you for thera- py. If he still refuses, ask yourself whether you are better off with him or with- out him. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Annie: My hus- band passed away two months ago. My in-laws contacted me the first week after the funeral, asking for ‘‘stuff’’ that had belonged to him. Since then, I haven’t heard a word. We used to have get-togethers I have asked Ted to get help with his addictions, but he refuses. I have sought counseling on my own to help me cope with this situation, and I returned to church looking for answers. I love Ted, but his behav- ior over the past four years has been a huge turnoff. Is this relationship beyond repair? — Bewildered in Vermont Dear Vermont: It is beyond repair if Ted refuses to do anything to help himself and you can no longer tolerate his behavior. There are 12-step programs for addictions, there is medication for erectile dys- function and bipolar disease, and above all, there is counseling for those willing to work on their prob- several times a year, and I thought of them as my family, but I guess I was wrong. I joined an online widow/widowers group and found out just how often this happens. The vast majority of those in my group have had the same experience. I hope you will ask your readers to see if they are giving the cold shoulder to someone who really needs family right now. Why would they want to make someone feel so badly? My husband may be gone, but I am not, and I miss this side of my family. — How Sad Dear Sad: Some family mem- bers assume that newly widowed in- laws are not interested in maintain- ing a relationship. People forget. People are busy. There are a million excuses not to do what’s right, but staying in touch works both ways. If you miss your in-laws, pick up the phone and call them. Invite a sister- in-law to dinner. Ask the cousins how they’re doing. If you want these relationships to continue, you will have to be the one to do the heavy lifting. We hope it’s worth it. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Dismayed in the Boston Area’’ with interest. As a young Jewish woman in 1976, I married a man with a Christian- sounding last name. My rabbi counseled me that there would come a time when I was presented with anti-Semitism by persons who did not know I was Jewish, and I would have to choose whether or not to respond. A few short years later, while working at a large financial institu- tion, some co-workers were dis- cussing Jews in a negative manner. I listened intently and then quietly commented, ‘‘None of the Jews I know is like that.’’ Everyone turned and asked who I knew who was Jewish, and I replied, ‘‘My hus- band, my children, my parents, my siblings, my aunts and uncles, my grandparents and me.’’ The shocked looks on their faces told me that speaking up had been the right choice. I never heard another anti-Semit- ic remark from them again, and a few actually were decent enough to apologize for their bigotry. — Mid- west Jew 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. Breast Cancer Workshop set in Chico The California Health Collaborative and the Department of Health and Community Services at CSU Chico are co-hosting a free breast cancer work- shop from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 16 at Selvester’s Café on the CSU, Chico campus. The workshop is offered through the collaboration between the California Breast Cancer Project and Commonweal, a nonprofit organization, to discuss questions like who gets breast cancer, who dies from it and what role does environment play in increasing breast cancer risk. Participants will also learn about how communi- ties can be involved in research to answer these ques- tions. Everyone is welcome, especially community mem- bers, representatives of community-based and non- profit organizations, researchers and health care providers. A complimentary light breakfast and com- plimentary lunch will be provided. For more information email community@cabreast- cancer.org or go to www.cbcrp.org/community/crib- sworkshop.php. Pre-registration for the free workshop is required. To register, please go to http://www.sur- veymonkey.com/s/779TVGK. Pacific Gas and Elec- tric Company (PG&E) warns outdoor water recreationists to take precautions against cold and swift rivers and streams as the state’s abundant snowpack begins melting faster as temperatures rise. This year’s deep snowfall and cool spring has left California’s overall snowpack at more than three times its usual water content as of June 1, meaning snowmelt will be more rapid than usual when temperatures rise. In the northern part of the state alone, the snowpack is more than five times its usual June 1 average. The spring snowmelt will result in swift and cold river flows that can create treacherous con- ditions for recreationists – waders, swimmers, paddlers, boaters, anglers and even hikers cooling off at the water’s edge. As warmer weather and longer days begin melt- ing snow in mountain- ous regions, water tem- peratures will drop and flows will continue to rise in waterways and reservoirs. Most PG&E reser- voirs are expected to fill and water to flow over dam spillways through Snowpack prompts caution for water sports tips: July. In preparation for snowmelt, PG&E has been allowing space in reservoirs so that it can absorb much of the fast runoff and better control downstream water flows. “We are now observ- ing snow quantities that we normally don’t see beyond April 1,” said Alvin Thoma, director of PG&E’s power gen- eration department. “Additionally, the snow pack has a very high water content. Added all together, a warm spell can significantly increase the flow of cold water in our rivers.” Thoma advises those planning outings near mountain streams, rivers and reservoirs to be extra vigilant and take appropriate safety mea- sures. Water flows will fluctuate with the warm- ing and cooling of the day so always be pre- pared for changing con- ditions. At this time of year with most reservoirs being full or close to full, summer thunder- storms in the high coun- try can result in sudden, sometimes unexpected increases in downstream river flows much in excess of this year’s large snowmelt runoff. Here are some safety Bethel Assembly of God is hosting a Mega Sports Camp July 11th-14th, 6-9 p.m. suggested donation $25 Soccer, Basketball, Baseball & Cheerleading Your child will receive fundamental instruction in sports & also be taught how God can help them in their everyday lives. Sign Up Now! Sign-ups held Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm @925 Luther Rd. Know the Water Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex” caus- ing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trig- ger cardiac arrest, tem- porary paralysis, hypothermia and drown- ing. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily over- whelmed. Cold water entering the ear canal can cause vertigo and disorienta- tion. This may confuse swimmers, causing them to venture deeper into the water. Know your limits Swimming in open water is more difficult than in a swimming pool – people tire more quickly and can get into trouble. Cold water causes impairment leading to fatalities. It reduces body heat 25-30 times faster than air does at the same temperature. Many unseen obsta- cles can be lurking below the water’s sur- face. Swift water can make these obstacles even more treacherous. Wear a life jacket Conditions change quickly in open water and even the best swim- mers can misjudge the water and their skills when boating or swim- ming. Wearing a life jacket can increase sur- vival time. A life jacket can pro- vide some thermal pro- tection against the onset of hypothermia and keep you afloat until someone else can rescue you. Parental Supervi- sion Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undi- vided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults. Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swim- ming in a pool: they need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean under- tow and changing weather. All You Can Eat Spaghetti Served with Garden Salad or Cup of Soup & Garlic Toast Chronic pericarditis responds to prednisome DEAR DR. GOTT: Several years ago, I had single-bypass heart surgery. About two weeks later, I developed pericarditis. At first, it manifested itself as a fluid buildup in the pericardial sac and later just as inflammation. Several drugs were prescribed to eliminate the inflamma- tion. The only one that had any real effect was prednisone. I was put on a regimen starting at 40 mg, slowly tapering down to nothing. Shortly after fin- ishing it, my pericarditis would return and I would have to start all over again. After a year of this, my cardiologist decided to have me taper from 40 mg to 2 mg daily. I have been on this regimen for about six years and every time I try to stop the prednisone, the pericarditis returns. I have been tested to see if my body is still producing its own prednisone, which it is. My cardiologist tells me that 2 mg daily will not hurt me and that it’s keeping the persistent inflammation from return- ing. Do you have any sug- gestions as to how I can get off the prednisone and, if not, what the long-term effects of it are? I am a 69- year-old male in pretty decent shape. Thank you in advance for any sugges- tions you may have. DEAR READER: Peri- carditis is inflammation and swelling of the peri- cardium (membrane that surrounds the heart). Typ- ically, the condition is acute, meaning it occurs suddenly and for a short time, often only a few weeks. Occasionally, it is considered chronic, mean- ing it develops gradually or is persistent, lasting six months or more. Symptoms of acute pericarditis vary. Com- monly, they involve sharp, stabbing pain on the left side of the chest or behind the breastbone. For others, the pain is dull, achy or feels like chest pressure that varies from mild to severe. Either type of pain can travel to the left shoul- der and neck and may worsen when inhaling deeply, coughing, swal- lowing food or lying down. In some instances, the pain can be difficult to distinguish from that of a heart attack. Chronic peri- carditis may result in peri- cardial effusion (fluid around the heart) but most commonly causes chest pain. Other symptoms of both acute and chronic forms can include dry cough, abdominal or leg swelling, low-grade fever, shortness of breath when reclining and a general sense of weakness, fatigue or malaise (feeling unwell). The cause of pericardi- tis is often unknown. It can develop shortly after a Dr. Peter Gott major heart attack. A delayed form can occur weeks after the attack or heart surgery because of antibody for- mation. The delayed form is known as Dressler’s syn- drome. It is my guess this is what you have. Dressler’s is considered by many experts to be an abnormal autoimmune response and could be the reason why you have had continuous problems when attempt- ing to discontinue the prednisone, which reduces inflammation and somewhat suppresses the immune system. An unusual and rare cause can include the use of certain medications, or kidney failure, cancer, tuberculosis, AIDS and system inflammatory dis- orders such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Complications are most common in those with chronic recurrences and long-term inflamma- tion. Thankfully, early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of complication. Cardiac tamponade occurs when too much fluid collects in the peri- cardium, a condition that fails to allow proper expansion of the heart. This results in too little blood leaving the heart and a drastic drop in blood pressure. If left untreated, it can be fatal. Another complication is constrictive pericarditis. Over time, the pericardi- um can scar, thicken and contract. It can lose its elasticity and becomes a tight, rigid case surround- ing the heart. This pre- vents the heart from prop- erly functioning and typi- cally results in severe leg and abdominal swelling (edema) and shortness of breath. Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and the cause. Over-the- counter pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibupro- fen, may be all that is needed to ease the pain and inflammation of mild cases. Severe pain may benefit from a short course of prescription nar- cotics. Another option is prescription colchicine, typically prescribed for gout, which works by reducing inflammation. It can also reduce the length of symptoms and lower the risk of recurrence. It is not appropriate for every- one, however. Finally, for those who don’t respond to the above options, cor- ticosteroids such as pred- nisone may be prescribed. If the cause is a bacter- ial infection, antibiotics and possible drainage of some of the pericardial fluid are best. In cases of complica- tions, drainage of pericar- dial fluid or surgical removal of the pericardi- um may be beneficial. $8.99 Every Thursday all day with purchase of reg. sized entrée (excludes steak) Kids Eat FREE every Wednesday Cozy Diner 259 S. Main St. Red Bluff 528-8777 OPEN: 7 days a week 5:30 am - 9 pm Tehama Family Fitness Center 3 Month Student Summer Special $ Membership for Call for details Final weigh-ins for Shape Up Tehama Weight Loss Competition June 16, 17, 18 Call for times 2498 South Main St., Red Bluff 528-8656 www.tehamafamilyfitness.com 99 TYPE 2 SPEED TRAINING Starts June 28th , 4-5pm Ages 6-12 Select from: Deadline to sign up is Mon.,June 20th