Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/657283
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myhusband was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer last fall. He has been on chemotherapy, but two regimens have ceased to contain it and the overall prognosis is not good. At the most, it is unlikely he will survive more than a year from diagnosis. People we hardly know come up to us and tell us how various alternative medicine ap- proaches (multiple herbs, specific diets, etc.) "cured" their loved ones and/or tell us how their neigh- bor, co-worker or friend has survived five or 10 years or even that "they can cure cancer now." These people do not seem to know much about cancer in gen- eral, let alone pancreatic cancer — that there are different types and that different people respond differently to treatment. I have tried to simply say "that's interesting" to suggestions of alterna- tive therapies and "how fortunate" to the others but, unfortunately, these people want to continue telling us what we should be doing. Since I see on a daily basis the deterioration in my husband's condition, I find these comments and unsolicited advice extremely distressing. Recently, in an at- tempt to end one of these unsolicited conversations, I told someone that they did not seem to know much about pancre- atic cancer and walked away from them. I was later told that I was being rude. Can you suggest a polite way to shut these people up so they do not add to my grief? —Upset DEAR UPSET » I am so sor- ry you and your husband are going through this. In this context, anything other than loving kind- ness and gentle support from people around you is not particularly helpful. However, understand that the person bringing this up may feel com- pelled or duty-bound to suggest an alternative to your husband's medical treatment, because of experiences they have had, heard about or read about. I'm just trying to explain — not excuse — the motivation behind the intrusion. But please — do not engage in these conversa- tions about miracle cures, even to the extent of pretending to listen. Look the person in the eye, say, "I think you're trying to help, but this conversa- tion is making things much harder for me, so please — let's stop now." DEAR AMY » Please do not recommend that some- one sho uld g et a do g as a means to meet people. Dogs are great, loving ani- mals that require a lot of time, work and responsi- bility. Our shelters are full of dogs that were gotten for all the wrong reasons. They are living, breathing, loving animals and not conversation pieces. — Dog Lover DEAR DOG LOVER » Adopt- ing a dog can be a game changer for a lonely person, mainly through the fellowship with the animal. But dogs also do promote interaction between people. Husband's cancer leads to unsolicited 'miracle' advice You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Aries(March21-April19)— Adapt your plans and proceed with them. If you get in the right frame of mind, you will receive positive results. Ask direct questions. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Don't make an impulsive move if your emotions are calling the shots. Focus on what you do best and how to use your at- tributes to get ahead. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Take part and reach out to help bring about positive change at home or in your community. Don't let uncertainty confuse you. Set a good example. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Consider your options and move forward. Taking part in some- thing that reunites you with old buddies will lead to opportunity. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Stay busy. A daytrip will motivate you to try something new. Do your part by contribut- ing knowledge and solutions. A positive change at home will lighten the mood. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Your entertaining, fun-to-be- with attitude will draw atten- tion. Focus on love, romance and socializing. Relationships will be enhanced and self-im- provement projects will pay off. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Expand your interests and friendships. What you learn from observing others will encourage you to be money- smart. Do your best to complete contracts. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Recognize a problem and take action. Losing control of a per- sonal situation will make it dif- ficult to regain ground. Nurture what you have and eliminate what isn't working for you. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You should concentrate on your home, family and what you know and do best. Per- sonal changes will enhance your relationship with loved ones and friends, and position you for greater popularity and success. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Don't give in to emotional instability. Stick close to home and take care of matters that will add to your personal secu- rity. Nurture important relationships. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Protect your property and don't lend or borrow money or possessions. Look for profes- sional opportunities that will increase your income or reputa- tion. Don't neglect your health. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Money matters must not be ignored. Overspending will lead to unnecessary stress. Back away from anyone asking for too much and offering too little. Horoscope By Eugenia Last THURSDAY, MARCH 24 THURSDAY,MARCH24,2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B