November 2022

Dear Readers, It’s funny now—that joke Mother Nature pulled on me last week—but I wasn’t laughing when, only a day after I’d packed all my summer clothes away, the mercury topped out above ninety degrees. And the winds that followed, as they abruptly changed the landscape out my window, didn’t do much to restore my sense of humor either. I’ve no idea where the leaves went because none are piled against the house and our patio is clean as a whistle. As I write, a breeze is still moving through the Flint Hills, rippling the pond water from east to west and making waves among the trees by lifting bare brown and grey branches up and down. The natural world’s undulations brought me to my senses. How could I forget the cardinal rules of dealing with the weather (Kansas weather) and life in general?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, and along with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I have been taking 1 mg of anastrozole daily. The bone mineral density of my left hip has not changed significantly. The bone density of my lumbar spine has decreased 6.3% compared to 2020. Several of the doctors I’ve worked with are open to using natural hormone blockers, such as diindolylmethane, instead of the anastrazole. What would you recommend? -- B.C.N.

Dear Amy: I think I was scammed! As a divorced 62-year-old woman on a fixed income, I recently hired someone to fix plumbing damage to my house that insurance wouldn’t cover. His bid was substantially lower, and he could start the next day. He asked for half down so I sent him 50 percent ($300) through an online payment system.

Q: I’ve begun to worry about losing my mental edge -- and I’m only 48. Any dietary suggestions you can make that might help me stay sharp? -- Delores D., Westfield, New Jersey A: There are many dietary steps to take to make sure your blood flow to the brain doesn’t get obstructed by plaque-lined vessels and reduce your cognitive powers. You know my recommendations: No red or processed meats, no highly processed foods, no added sugars. Instead, focus on plant-based foods and healthy fats like olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids like ALA in walnuts and DHA and EPA that are found in fatty fish like salmon, herrings, anchovies and sardines.

Acclaimed vocalist Vanessa Thomas, known for her seamless span of five octaves, will perform at McPherson College as part of the Fern Lingenfelter Artists Series on November 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Mingenback Theatre. Admission is free.