Lifestyle

DEAR DR. ROACH: I will be undergoing a thyroidectomy to reduce the chances of thyroid cancer, given my family history, a CHEK2 mutation and ongoing thyroid nodule growth. My concern is that I had an ECG for pre-op purposes and received results that stated I had low voltage on the extremity leads. Otherwise, I have normal results. I have a BMI of 30, very low blood pressure and high to average cholesterol. In addition, I have been taking anastrozole for ER-positive breast cancer since 2017.

Volunteers Needed: Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Greeters Meet and greet people from all over the world while giving out information about the refuge and wildlife. Hand out maps and make sales in the Nature Nook. Come and join our team! For more information, please email friendsofhagerman@gmail.com.

Mulberry Cemetery to host annual day, homecoming The Mulberry Cemetery Association will hold its annual Memorial Day and homecoming service on Sunday, May 28. Lunch will be served at noon at the cemetery pavilion. Those attending are asked to bring their favorite dish or dishes, drinks are provided by the Association. The service is held each year to honor relatives and friends buried at the Cemetery.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband and I have been watching our fat intake, and we have eliminated almost all red meat and processed foods from our diet. We do eat a lot of fish (salmon primarily) and boneless/skinless chicken. I am, at times, confused about the information on nutrition facts labels. As an example, the label on a package of boneless and skinless chicken pieces indicates that the saturated fat content is 3% and the cholesterol content is 22%. I’ve seen similar numbers on other “healthy” options, with saturated fat below 10% and cholesterol around 20%.

DEAR ABBY: I struggled for years with vomiting and nausea, as well as other digestive issues I dismissed as having a “sensitive stomach.” When my fiance, “Marc,” and I started dating, he urged me to find out the cause of my issues. Six months ago, I was diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that is managed through a gluten-free diet.

The mounds of boards, insulation, debris and branches from the Japanese Peace Garden have disappeared from where they were piled along Airport Drive. Only black plastic sacks remain. For the most part, the garden now has to heal itself. Trees are producing new leaves on damaged wood. Several of the grounded redcedars are still alive. I would leave them to see what happens during the summer. The root disks in the air still offer protection from the wind! A strange windbreak indeed.

As a child, I recall spending hours in a sandbox with a few friends, digging for “treasure,” building castles, and making up stories of grand adventures. If a new kid came around, we would invite them to join us, explaining the game with excitement, not even asking their name. It wasn’t about who they were, whom they knew, where they came from, or how long they stayed: it was about playing, creating, and enjoying the moment. Togetherness was part of the journey celebrated in childhood.

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 32-year-old woman. My 20s were spent in a serious long-term relationship. It was a lot of firsts for me. After we split, I took a couple of years to sow my wild oats and find out who I am as an individual.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m an 83-year-old male. I eat a plant-based diet, and I exercise at my local YMCA at least three times a week. I’m concerned that my toes and fingers will turn blue daily, in response to getting cold. My fingertips also become numb. -- W.H.

Dear Neil: What is this weed, and how can I get it out of my lawn? (I’m thinking it’s dichondra.) Your assumption is correct. It’s actually a pretty little trailing weed that grows just an inch or two above the soil surface.