January 2023

Addressing objections by women to receiving statin drugs

Dear Dr. Roach: For 10 years, my daughter has refused statins (due to cholesterol level) on grounds that women were not a part of the studies recommending statins and that heart disease manifests differently in women. Her daily eating and exercise are stellar. After a decade, her female internal medicine doctor confessed that she, too, doesn’t take statins for the same reason, although she feels it necessary to prescribe them to patients whose cholesterol warrants it. (Is it fear of a lawsuit, or does the continuing education of all doctors come from Big Pharma?)

Read MoreAddressing objections by women to receiving statin drugs

Grandma’s facebook posts strike a nerve after loss

Dear Abby: My daughter passed away nine years ago. She was almost 13. My mother never bothered to have a relationship with her when she was alive. But now, on every birthday and anniversary of her passing, Mom posts on Facebook how much she misses her and how “close” they were. Her friends all send messages of love addressed to Mom, with no mention of my husband and me. It hurts and upsets us, but I don’t know how -- or if -- I should talk with her about it. Any words of advice? -- Grieving Mom In California

Read MoreGrandma’s facebook posts strike a nerve after loss

Is the grass in my backyard dead?

Dear Neil: I’m concerned about my backyard. The photo with the tennis ball is St. Augustine (“carpetgrass”), while the other photo is a mix of St. Augustine and bermuda. Runners of much of the lawn pull up easily. I’m worried that the lawn is dead. I have bluebonnets and other wildflowers in this area, so I’m concerned about bringing sod and topsoil in until we get spring rains.

Read MoreIs the grass in my backyard dead?

Eastbound US 82 Exit 642 closed

TexasDepartmentofTransportation officials today announced that the eastbound exit ramp on US 82 (Exit 642) that leads to US 75 closed temporarily starting Thursday. The closure is necessary for crews to complete construction of the US 82 eastbound frontage road and a new exit ramp.

Read MoreEastbound US 82 Exit 642 closed