Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/6356
It's 2010. Have you made any resolutions? Are you sticking to them? If not, I have a story to share with you that might help. It helped me. My friend, Aurora Bar- riga, a local optometrist, has recently competed in a marathon. This woman not only works full time at her practice, but she is married and has three young boys. This is the same women who used to moan and groan when I would have her go for a mile run with me years ago. She absolutely hated running and would only do it to help me out. When she told me she was doing a marathon, I about fell over. I knew I'd have a great story to share about her experience. I asked her how she even got started running, and she told me that she's very competitive and was challenged by a friend to sign up for a 5K. She agreed and began training for it. Her husband, Fran- cisco, found out she was going to do the 5K and said, "Sign me up." They did the run, and he beat her time without even training for it — I should tell you he was a wrestler, you know how crazy we are. Well, he's competitive, too, so they were off and competing in runs. By the end of 2009, they had competed in 15 runs, even getting the boys into it. At many of these runs, they have mile races for the kids, which is a great way to include the kids and start them embrac- ing fitness at a young age. I love that they have made fitness a family affair. She explained that his support has been vital in her suc- cess as a runner. Sounds good, and I couldn't agree more. My hubby is always in my corner. Back to the marathon. For those of you who don't know, a marathon is a 26.2 mile run. It is a huge com- mitment and requires a mind numbing amount of training and preparation. She would get up at 4 a.m. to get her run- ning in during the week. On Saturday, she'd have to squeeze in a few hours to run. All told, she was putting in 8- 12 hours a week in training. Whew. And I thought I was crazy. So, I had to know; we've all heard about the famous wall that runners hit. The one where they stop a few feet short of the finish line because they are so physi- cally or mentally exhaust- ed. I asked her if she hit that wall in her marathon. She answered with a resounding, "Yes. I felt great until mile 20. By mile 23, I was ready to be done. Mentally, I wanted to quit, but I also wanted to be able to tell people I ran the marathon." That was enough to keep her running. She just kept breaking it down, just 5 more minutes, just one more block and so on until she made it. She finished the marathon in 4 hours and 33 minutes. I can't even imagine running for 2 hours. I am so impressed and proud of her for setting and achieving such a mon- umental goal. Kudos also to her husband for com- pleting it in 4 hours. Great job, guys. So, in order to help folks out who have similar goals. I asked her how she found the time and energy to do this? What kept her moti- vated? Would she do it again? She said: "You have to make yourself a priority. You have to be organized. It takes a lot of planning, and it helps to have the support of family. I use the running time as a time for reflec- tion. I don't listen to music. It gives me time to think about my family and work. It gives me time to put things into perspective. I will do another run, now that I know what it takes and what I'm up against. I'll be able to do better next time." Some great advice. If you haven't set any resolu- tions yet, it isn't too late. Set a goal to be healthier. I'm working on losing some weight for an upcom- ing fight, so if you want some help, follow my diet on my blog at http://eski- mowarrior.blogspot.com. If you have any medical conditions, be sure to ask your doctor first. Avery Vilche has her B.A. in physical education and a certificate in exercise physiology. She has been a fitness instructor in Red Bluff for more than 17 years. Her background is in boxing, kick boxing and wrestling. She can be reached at vilcheavery@yahoo.com. Thursday, January 28, 2010 – Daily News – 3B Largest Selection In Tri-County • Herbal Medicines • Edibles (Foods) • Clones 1317 Solano St. (530) 824-4811 www.tehamaherbalcollective.vpweb.com Corning Calif. 12600 Hwy 99E, Red Bluff Located 5 Miles from I-5 • 530-527-6483 Hrs: 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday Expires 2-02-10 Pork Shoulder BOSTON BUTT ROAST $ 1 29 lb. Boneless Choice Angus NEW YORK STEAKS $ 7 49 lb. BUFFALO PATTIES $ 4 99 lb. Now Accepting E.B.T., Debit, Credit Cards Meat Packs Available Dear Annie: My in-laws live in a condominium about 35 miles from us. We visit them once a month. My father-in-law does not move around very well and is incontinent. He seldom leaves the condo. My moth- er-in-law still walks, but only to the grocery store or doctor's office. She is obvi- ously beginning to slow down. We know there will come a day when they are no longer able to stay in the condo. However, they have no intention of moving into a retirement communi- ty. They say, ''We don't want to live in a place where there are only old people.'' Meanwhile, they know no one in their condo building, where they have lived for 20 years, nor do they visit friends elsewhere. Several months ago, my in-laws bought a miniature poodle puppy that can only be described as neu- rotic. If anyone enters the condo, it will either hide or sit in a corner and growl. My father-in-law says the dog would get used to us if we vis- ited more often, and once a month apparently isn't often enough. Annie, we have three very active children, not to mention a house and chores and jobs to take care of. We visit the in-laws as often as possi- ble, but we cannot see them every weekend simply so their dog can get to know us better. My husband says they are lonely and isolated, but I don't think that is our respon- sibility. This is really begin- ning to become a problem. Please help. — Had It in Maryland Dear Maryland: Your husband is right — your in- laws are lonely. You are not responsible for their unwill- ingness to reach out to neighbors and friends, but try to be a bit more compas- sionate. Since you are too busy to see them more often, suggest your husband visit his parents on his own. You also can look into caregiving services if their health interferes with their mobility. Dear Annie: This is for ''Feel- ing the Pain in Ohio,'' who has trou- ble shaking hands because of arthri- tis. Why not make life a little more multicultural and try the Asian cus- tom of bowing? Not only will it avoid handshakes, but it could help break the ice and start an interesting conversation. — Just a Thought from Georgia Dear Georgia: Thanks for the idea. Here are a few more: From Chicago: Try touching the back of the person's extended hand with your fingertips as you say, ''I'd love to shake your hand, but it's too painful for me.'' Santa Fe, N.M.: Place a pencil in your hand when greeting cus- tomers. This will delay the hand- shake and give you time to say, ''I suffer from arthritis so please be gentle'' before offering your hand. Tennessee: A simple solution is to wear a noticeable wrist brace. Put it on the right hand. (If it's on both hands, some folks will think it's a fashion accessory.) It can work wonders in letting them know to shake this hand very gently. Sarasota, Fla.: I am a self- defense practitioner. When some- one offers their hand, reach deep into their palm with your forefinger toward the base of their thumb. By doing this, the grip cannot be applied as forcefully. As an addi- tional precaution, firmly hold their right wrist with your left hand. This will allow you to help disengage if it proves to be too painful. Louisville, Ky.: I take the per- son's hand in both of mine and gen- tly pat their hand, saying, ''I have a sore hand today.'' I keep my hands flat. California: Actually, it's more of a refinement on your suggestion, which was pretty good — to grab their wrist or arm instead of their hand. My idea is to use your left hand instead of your right. It will throw off their reflexes and slow them down just enough for you to win the grab contest. 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. Lonely in-laws want visits more often Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar FEATURES DEAR DR. GOTT: My wife was diagnosed with arachnoiditis about three years ago. Our doctor has her on a fen- tanyl patch, Neu- rontin, Norco and Flexeril at bed- time. These med- ications seem to keep things in check for reducing her pain, but sometimes she will get a flare-up and nothing seems to work. Her doctor put her on prednisone for short peri- ods, which worked well and almost made her euphoric; however, when she isn't on the pred- nisone, her feet become callused, crack, bleed and become painful. Have you run into this before with your patients? If so, what is out there in the way of new technolo- gy to help the situation? Any new studies being done? DEAR READER: Arachnoiditis is a disorder caused by inflammation of the arachnoid, a mem- brane surrounding and protecting the nerves of the spinal cord. The inflammation can result from a bacterial infection or virus, injury, chronic spinal-nerve compression, chemical irritation or any invasive procedure, such as surgery. The condition can pre- sent with stinging and burning of the lower back or legs, muscle cramps, spasms and pain. Bladder and bowel abnormalities, as well as sexual dysfunc- tion, might also occur. Any prior disorders of the spine or aging can compli- cate or impede progress. Treatment is common- ly directed toward the relief of pain. Manage- ment might be accom- plished through exercise, physiotherapy or psy- chotherapy and, as you have discovered, steroids. Surgical intervention remains controversial because of the less-than- optimal outcome and the fact that pain relief is tem- porary. She might consid- er speaking with her physician about visiting a pain clinic, undergoing acupuncture, or attending water-aerobics or yoga classes. Treatment out- comes vary from person to person, so what works for one person might not be successful for another. The condition remains difficult to man- age. Her physician has her on several h i g h - p o w e r e d medications for pain control, and Flexeril, a muscle relaxant common- ly used for acute muscle spasms, pain or injury. It is common for feet to crack, bleed and hurt like the dickens when dry. Perhaps your wife's prob- lem is the result of a med- ication or the combination of drugs she is on. In any event, this condition can often be controlled with a mentholated chest rub or even plain petroleum jelly available in pharmacies. Simply have her lather a generous amount of the ointment on her feet then slide them into white cot- ton socks before retiring for the night. The med- icated salves should work their magic by morning and provide welcome relief. Finally, the National Institutes of Health per- forms clinical trials for this and a number of other medical conditions. She might wish to contact them to determine whether she qualifies for a program related to arachnoiditis. They can be reached through their Web site at www.ninds.nih.gov. Because I edited your letter due to space limita- tions, I am also passing on your recommendation of the Circle of Friends with Arachnoiditis' support- group Web site, www.cofwa.org. Perhaps this information will assist other readers in coping with this extremely painful condition. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Managing Chron- ic 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 mention the title. Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook." Arachnoiditis tough to control Dr. Peter Gott PBS Sweetheart Auction A pair of wedding packages at South Lake Tahoe resorts, a two-night hot-air balloon excursion in Napa Val- ley, romantic getaways, travel packages and gift certifi- cates will be up for bid Feb. 4 during public television sta- tion KIXE's annual Sweetheart Auction. The one-night auction will give viewers an opportunity to pick up gifts for the sweethearts in their lives — just in time for Valentine's Day — and support the North State's public television station, said Vickie Shattuck, auction coordinator. Auction highlights include the two wedding packages — one at the Fantasy Inn & Wedding Chapel and the other at the Tahoe Beach & Ski Club — as well as lodging and horseback riding in Bandon, Ore.; a helicopter ride with dinner and wine tasting at Anselmo Vineyards and a guid- ed tour of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Visit www.kixe.org to view selected auction items and make advance bids. For more information, visit KIXE at 603 N. Market St. in Redding or contact Shattuck at 243-5493 or via e-mail at auction@kixe.org. My friend, the marathon runner Avery Vilche Fitness Buff