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UTI issues might be due to a conglomerate of kidney stones

DEAR DR. ROACH: Five years ago, I was diagnosed with a kidney stone while getting an ultrasound for a different reason. A CT scan was ordered, which showed that I had a conglomerate of small stones within a calyceal diverticulum in the posterior mid-pole of my left kidney. My urologist at the time said it wasn’t in an area that was amenable to shock wave lithotripsy or a stone removal with a scope. He said that I could have a wire inserted by interventional radiology, then go to the operating room for a stent that would require an overnight hospital stay. He also said that I could do ...

Society of Strangers

“True is it that we have seen better days.” — William Shakespeare Pearl Harbor brought out the best in the American people. We responded by pulling together for a major mobilization when an act of war landed on our soil in 1941. That December day, which Franklin Roosevelt eloquently declared would “live in infamy,” is within living memory. Twenty-five years ago, following the September 11th terrorist attacks, the opposite happened. The George W. Bush White House sowed a society of suspicious, separate and scared strangers. When the World Trade Center towers fell in ...

Dear Annie: Making room for what’s next

Dear Annie: My husband and I are both in our 70s, and he’s been pushing for us to sell the house and move into something smaller for over a year now. He’s not wrong; it’s more house than we need. But we raised our three kids in this house. Every room has something in it — the kitchen table my dad built, the height marks on the door frame, the driveway where our children learned to ride their bikes. I know we probably can’t stay here forever. But I feel like he’s asking me to hand over all these memories without a second thought. Am I being stubborn, or is he being cold ...

Older male wants to try a supplement to build up his strength

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m an 88-year-old male. I’ve been losing strength and muscle in my legs, which has caused me to need a walker. I’m currently in a physical therapy program twice a week, and I also do daily strengthening exercises at home. I’d like your advice on trying a diet supplement of whey protein, hydroxymethylbutyrate, chromium and leucine. It’s widely advertised on the internet with countless testimonials regarding its amazing success in restoring strength and endurance for elderly users. — R.C.O. ANSWER: I believe in evidence, not testimonials. There’s good ...

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on skill games, legislature needs to act now to modernize PA’s charitable gaming law

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Pennsylvania, with a membership of nearly 60,000 combat veterans encompassing more than 400 posts in the Commonwealth, is a vibrant and vital member of our local communities. We provide safe havens for our Veteran population — venues for active-duty, honorably discharged, and retired military personnel to congregate, socialize, and bond — while also assisting our veterans with accessing critical support in the local communities and vital federal benefits. Beyond supporting our combat veterans, individual VFW Posts across Pennsylvania ...