April 2023

Dear Dr. Roach: I have been diagnosed with thyroid antibodies. What are the long-term effects of these antibodies? The doctor says to start thyroid medication. I have been a vegetarian since 1983 and have a low-salt diet. I have heard about quality control issues with thyroid medicines and taking care not to consume caffeine with the medicine.

Dear Abby: We were a male couple in our 70s, together for 21 years, before my husband, “Charles,” died of COPD three weeks ago. For more than four years, I watched his health and quality of life decline until he finally had had enough and chose hospice. In less than 24 hours, he was gone.

I met a survivor last week. He was trying to free himself from the wreckage, not from an accident or illness, but from the people in his life. Important people. Listening to him, I saw his anger weaving a thick shroud to protect a deep wound. Throughout the years, this man had gone through boxes of emotional Band-Aids, in the form of music to muses, vehicles to vacations, overworking to overthinking. The barometer of his happiness was regulated by the contentment of those he loved. So, he worked harder than most, even to the detriment of his physical and mental health. In his efforts to satisfy others, he lost his barometer. He lost himself.

Dear Neil: My bald cypress tree is sending up huge roots above the ground. Can I cut these off? I’m afraid they’ll eventually reach my foundation and damage it.