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Dear Annie: To go or not to go

Columns

Dear Annie: My dad is turning 73 next month, and my mom is throwing this big party for him. She is begging me to come, but my parents live across the country — a six-hour plane ride. I work full time and have two kids under 5. My family only takes a trip like this once or twice a year, and if I’m really honest with myself, I don’t want to spend it on this family party. At the same time, I know they’ll be disappointed if I say no. I feel guilty but also spread thin. How do I decide? — Torn Daughter Dear Torn Daughter: There’s no perfect answer, only the one you can live ...

The quiet man

Columns

Thomas Tull is walking along the old wooden brick floor of what began as the Pittsburgh Reduction Company and later became Alcoa, a place where researchers and manufacturers created a hub of foundational aluminum manufacturing for nearly a century. In truth, this was the center of innovation and manufacturing in America. And after lying dormant for decades, Tull took his vision for remaking and rethinking U.S. manufacturing from an idea and ethos into reality two years ago. For exactly 80 years, the people who stood along these wooden floors fueled America’s leadership and ...

Doctor refuses to order magnesium test for patient on PPIs

Columns

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently read in your column that you test your patient’s magnesium levels when they have been on long-term proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). When I asked my doctor to include this in his order for blood tests, I was told that the test isn’t accurate, and he wouldn’t order it. Is there a special magnesium test that I can request? When I looked it up on the internet, this is what I found: “Standard magnesium blood tests (serum) are generally not considered an accurate indicator of total body magnesium. While they can detect severe deficiency, they are unreliable ...

Who is monitoring the debt?

Columns

People of a certain age will recall a lyric from the Tennessee Ernie Ford song “Sixteen Tons”: “Another day older and deeper in debt.” I thought of that song as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth asked Congress to approve a $1.5 trillion budget for fiscal year 2027 to put the military on what he called a “wartime footing.” Hegseth says the Pentagon needs the money for more drones, munitions and modernized systems. Though President Trump has denied it, bragging that we have the strongest military in the world, it would appear that the Iran conflict has significantly depleted U.S ...

Dear Annie: Respect starts small

Columns

Dear Annie: I am the grandmother of two. My almost-3-year-old granddaughter told me she does not love her “Uncle Dave.” I asked her why and she said because he tickles her. Her parents, my son and his wife, push their kids to “give hugs” upon visiting and leaving friends and relatives. I mentioned this to my daughter-in-law, and she seemed to brush it off. I also texted my son and he replied, “k.” My granddaughter’s birthday party is coming up soon, and Uncle Dave will be there. I plan on being vigilant so that she won’t be subjected to being touched in a way she is ...

Lending advice on endometrial cancer and its treatments

Columns

DEAR DR. ROACH: Can you comment on endometrial cancer? I have stage IV, and I’m in my 50s. I remain concerned about inflammatory foods. I’ve now embraced a macrobiotic diet, and I feel great. — T.P. ANSWER: In North America, endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer. Most women with endometrial cancer will see their doctor because of abnormal bleeding, usually years after menstruation has stopped. I still occasionally have patients who tell me that they are so glad their periods started again, but this is a serious concern that calls for an immediate ...