Section C | The Union | Thursday, October 7, 2010 | C5 ADVICE MARCY SUGAR AND KATHY MITCHELL Self-conscious about child questions Dear Annie: I am a 25-year-
old woman with two daughters. I became pregnant with my oldest when I was 20, but the relation- ship with her father fizzled.My current husband is a loving father and a good provider, but he comes from a troubled back- ground, and we decided it was best to have only one more child. Both of my daughters had com- plications during delivery and almost died. We’re blessed to have them, but I felt a tubal liga- tion was the right thing to do. People often ask me if I’m
planning to have more children. When I politely respond, “No, I’ve had a tubal,” they frequently make negative comments, asking why I did that or why didn’t my husband get a vasectomy. I’m tired of explaining the pain of almost losing my daughters at birth, and quite frankly, I do not regret my choice. But I get so angry when people assume I did something selfish.How do I deal with their remarks? — Tired of Hearing It Dear Tired: You are giving
out way more information than necessary. It’s nobody’s business if you plan to have more children, if you’ve had a tubal, if your hus- band has had a vasectomy or anything else.When they ask if you are planning to have more children, plaster a big smile on your face and reply, “Why do you need to know?” If they are rude enough to persist, tell them that is a private matter between you and your husband. Dear Annie: I’m a 23-year-
HEALTH Post-op symptoms unpleasant DEAR DR. GOTT: I just had
surgery on my right shoulder, and the day following, I began vomit- ing and having gas every time I ate. My doctor blames these events on the anesthesia during my four-hour surgery. Is there anything I can do? DEAR READER: General
anesthesia takes a person from a conscious to an unconscious state so an invasive surgical procedure can
be performed.
Anesthesiologists, nurse anes- thetists and other trained professionals determine the amount of anesthesia to be administered, depending on the procedure to be performed.Some people remain anesthetized for a short time during a relatively sim- ple process and are released the same day. Others, such as yours, take substantially longer and require hospitalization for several days following.While you didn't mention what surgery was per- formed, four hours is extensive and could certainly be responsible for the unwanted results. Some people are fortunate
enough not to have any side effects at all.Others can be rather debilitated by them. Side effects commonly appear within a few hours and disappear while a per- son is still in the recovery room. They can include dehydration, nausea, headache, joint or muscle pain, or a person may feel as if he or she had too much to drink the
HOROSCOPE IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS OCTO-
BER 7: It isn't likely that you'll accept any subservient position in the next 365 days. Your leader- ship qualities will be itching to express themselves and will cause you to seek out a directive post, but any advancement will have to be in your field of expertise. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -
This is an excellent time to weed out all those endeavors that have not lived up to your expectations. Don't waste any more time on things that aren't working out. It's time to start anew. SCORPIO (Oct.24-Nov.22) -
Much more can be revealed from something that you've only been viewing from a limited level. If you'll let them, your perceptions can be viable sources of informa- tion and inspiration. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec.
21) - Don't allow anyone who always sees things from a nega- tive perspective to lower your expectations of good things to come. His/her evaluations are needless inaccuracies and will lead to losses. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19) - Aiming higher than usual and setting loftier goals for your- self will lead to inspiring both
- It's good to be aware of all the small details involving some- thing you're working on, but don't obliterate the big picture in the process. Both views are usu- ally essential. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -
BERNICE BEDE OSOL Columnist
your boldness and your will to win today. AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
- What will give you an edge over others is following what you've learned from your past mistakes and vowing never to repeat them. It might be easier to follow old ways, but it won't be smart. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20)
- Anything you do all on your own is likely to work out just ducky. However, greater rewards can be had if you've benefited from past mistakes, never to be made again. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -
When negotiating something of importance with others,weigh all of your alternatives first and you'll have a better chance of finding a middle ground that everyone can live with. TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Get a handle on a group situa- tion so that there aren't too many heads trying to run the show. With confusion under control, it'll be much easier to find a direction that'll be pleasing to everybody. CANCER ( June 21-July 22) -
Objectives must be clearly defined in order to find the best route to take. Lay things out in such a manner so that you'll know where you are going and what stage you are in at all times. LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22) -
Something you've been develop- ing can now be concluded to your satisfaction, but only if you make it your primary objective. Don't allow outside interests to sidetrack you. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -
Overall conditions are rather favorable for you, but perhaps your best area involves all those things that have to do with your material affairs. Be watchful for moneymaking opportunities.
DR. PETER GOTT Columnist
night before.Unusual but entire- ly possible side effects can include nightmares, uncontrollable shak- ing and chills. Be sure to check with your
surgeon if you experience jaun- dice, weight loss, blood in your stool or have symptoms lasting two weeks or longer. He or she will want to be assured your post- operative recovery is progressing well. Otherwise, the symptoms should resolve on their own. To provide related informa-
tion, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Digestive Gas." Other readers who would like a copy should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or mon- ey order made payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at
www.AskDrGottMD.com. DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your
column faithfully and find my work-related musings and ques- tions addressed there. I would like
to comment on your recent instructions to a woman who asked about a diuretic and a potassium pill -- that large pills can be crushed in a baggie and be taken with applesauce. Potassium pills are usually quite large and should not be chewed or crushed. Sometimes they can be broken in half or dispensed in a capsule, which can be opened and sprin- kled on applesauce or yogurt for ease in swallowing. Or they may be available as a liquid.However, there are a great many pills that should never be crushed. The safety and efficacy of a medica- tion relies on proper administration. Keep up your great work! DEAR READER: Generally
speaking, if a medication should not be crushed or chewed, the prescription label provides the appropriate information, but I was too general in advising read- ers to crush pills that might be too large to swallow.Additional label- ing information often includes whether to take the medication with food or on an empty stom- ach and the time of day to take it. It may also advise the patient not to drink or drive because of possi- ble drowsiness. Thank you for picking me up on this.Your point is well-taken and a good one.
WRITE: Dr. Gott,Newspaper Enterprise Association, 200 Madison Ave.,New York, NY, 10016.
me gets through to her.— Carl, not Carol Dear Carl: While your
ANNIE’S MAILBOX Columnists
old transsexual man, and my mother is actively sabotaging my life and transition. I came out to her six years ago, and despite my trying to keep the lines of con- versation open, she has been making every effort to stop me. She has outed me to
employers, which eventually resulted in me losing my job. I’ve spent the past six months attempting to find employment while living under her roof to save money.This results in argu- ing and tears at almost every turn. I know she loves me, but this has to change. My savings account is dwin-
dling, and I am at the end of my rope. It’s a little late to go back in the closet, and I will not de-tran- sition just to make her happy. How can I make her realize that by trying to get her daughter back, she’s completely alienating her son and ruining my life? I’m completely stuck, with
nowhere else to go. Please print this so parents of transgendered people will understand that they can seriously impact their chil- dren’s lives in a negative way. I’m hoping my mother reads this, because nothing coming from
mother is not handling this well, please try to understand how upsetting and confusing your sit- uation is for her. PFLAG (
pflag.org) has a transgender sup- port group that can offer some pointers for talking to your mother and helping her accept your decision. In the meantime, look for any job and start saving your money. You need to find other lodging as soon as possible. Dear Annie: This is in
response to “California,” a breast cancer survivor who resented the constant expectation that she talk about her illness. I am a 6-year breast cancer survivor, and I wear this badge with honor. I volun- teer with the American Cancer Society and am proud to be a “Reach To Recovery” volunteer who calls newly referred breast cancer patients to talk about my experience and to share hope. But I understand how
“California” wants to be seen as more than her illness, and I have a solution for her.When people ask if my health is good, I smile and say, “Yes, thank you,” and then immediately turn the con- versation onto them. I ask how they’ve been, showing genuine interest, and remark on how good, healthy or fit they appear. People love to talk about them- selves.— Vermont
WRITE: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
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