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Surgery Is Last Resort For Man’s Chronic Back Pain

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old man with chronic back pain. I first started having serious back pain in college after spending much of my time hunched over a drawing board. Later, as an architect, my back pain recurred frequently. About 20 years ago, after having terrible sciatica in my left leg, I had a surgical procedure done called a laminectomy, which successfully relieved my back pain for many years. Now I have developed pretty serious arthritis in my lower back, and I am in pain constantly. I can no longer lie flat in bed to sleep. I started having to sleep in my recliner, ...

Father-in-Law Expects Future Grandchildren To Be Catholic

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are trying to have children. He was raised Catholic, but is now agnostic. I’m also agnostic. My deeply religious father-in-law insists that our future children be baptized Catholic. I’m against it because I think it should be a person’s right to choose which faith, if any, to follow when they are ready. I also think it would be hypocritical to go through a baptismal ceremony, with godparents and vows to raise our child a certain way when we have no intention of doing it. My husband thinks it would be best to baptize our future children to ...

Tight Pants and Packed Pockets May Cause Tingling, Numbness

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had meralgia paresthetica for two and a half years. I have all the classic symptoms: tingling, pins and needles, some numbness and stinging in the top and side of my left thigh. I have tried numerous exercises and been treated by a physical therapist and an acupuncturist. Nothing has helped. My doctor has suggested the possibility of medication and/or an injection. I am 70 years old, do not smoke, am not overweight and am extremely active. This condition has made it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. What are your thoughts? — K.B. ANSWER: Meralgia ...

Couple Planning Wedding Want to Keep Haters Away

DEAR ABBY: My fiance and I have begun planning our wedding for next year. We have both been married before, so the family doesn’t think we should have a “big” celebration. Mom actually told me that it can’t be as special as my first one. While lying in bed the other night, we were discussing how to address people’s opinions because we don’t want our wedding day to be full of people complaining about being there, choices we made regarding our celebration and thinking they need to give us a gift. We would like to include a “disclaimer” saying something like, “If ...

Young Man Debates Merits of Keeping His Virginity

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 28-year-old male who is still a virgin. I always wanted to be intimate with a virgin female for my first time, but I have never met one. I’ve had opportunities for sex but refrained because she wasn’t a virgin. The older I have gotten, the harder it has become to achieve my dream of being someone’s first and sharing this wonderful experience together. I doubt there are any virgin females my age left. I know I have missed out on an important aspect of life that so many others have had. Should I start dating younger women, or let go of my fairy-tale first-time ...

Hard Sugar

Dear Heloise: When my brown sugar turned into hard lumps, I put it in the microwave and it softened, temporarily. I decided to put the hardened sugar in plastic resealable bowls with lids, and surprise! It softened right up and was ready to use. — Anna in New York ONE-POT CHICKEN Dear Heloise: I’m looking for an easy, all-in-one chicken recipe. Do you have one I can try? — Gayle in Tennessee Gayle, I have one that is a favorite with my readers. Here it is. You’ll need: 1 teaspoon oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup diced potato (1/2-inch cubes) 1 clove garlic, minced 1 ...