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Bridge by Steve Becker

There are many slam-oriented conventions, but one of the most valuable is the so-called Grand Slam Force. The GSF is not a new convention, but it has not been generally accepted as a working tool by the average bridge player. This is rather strange, since the GSF is easy to use and hard to abuse. Furthermore, there are many more points than usual at stake when the occasion for its use arises. Let’s see how the convention works on this deal after North’s jump-raise to four diamonds. At this point, South should feel certain of a small slam and should seriously consider the possibility ...

Endometriosis can elude diagnosis

When Zoe Armstrong got an ultrasound report showing signs of endometriosis, she called her mom and cried. After years of suffering and seeking help from doctors, she finally had an answer. “To see it on paper, I was like, ‘I’m not crazy,’” the 31-year-old recalled. “I very much ...

Stopping duloxetine for fibromyalgia was disastrous

Q. I have taken duloxetine for three years for severe fibromyalgia. I am a nurse, so I was reluctant to start it, but my physician said that “It is the best medication we have on the market for your pain.” I looked it up and didn’t find any information about withdrawal concerns, or I would have declined. This drug hasn’t helped my pain, but I started to have random foot and hand movements. Coming off the med is hell. I take Dramamine twice a day to help with the nausea and dizziness. I also have brain fog so bad, I can’t find the words I want to say. People talking to me ...

DEAR ANNIE: Family summer vacation turned stressful

DEAR ANNIE: This past July, my husband and I rented a house near us so our two daughters, their husbands and our grandchildren could all spend time together. Since everyone lives several states apart, we thought it would be a wonderful chance to reconnect and hopefully start a yearly family tradition. We live only about 15 minutes from the rental, so during the day we planned activities in the mountains, and in the evenings everyone would come back to our house for dinner and time together. For most of the trip, things went well. But during the last couple of days, it became obvious ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Man vents on proper walker use

DEAR HELOISE: I strongly agree with Michael I’s response to the original letter. He’s spot-on — a walker is for walking only. As a retired physical therapist with 42 years of experience, much of it being in home care, I’ve seen many near disasters when observing people use a walker as it pertains to standing. One of the first things to teach someone when using a walker is not to use it when it comes to standing. We’re supposed to teach them alternative, safe ways. With all due respect, I didn’t like your attempt at a humorous response of using a walker to quickly exit a ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Enlarged spleen may be sign of leukemia

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 80. Over the past 26 years, I’ve had low blood platelet counts. (In 1998, one reading was 168,000, and in 2026, the reading was 117,000.) I have an enlarged spleen (16.1 centimeters), and I understand that this could account for my low platelet count. I do have tiny red dots on my chest. However, my doctor thinks that I have leukemia and is preparing me for a spinal tap. My doctor seems to be ignoring the spleen issue. My brother had a spleen removed (at age 5) because it was destroying his blood count. My mother did die from leukemia. My question is, would my ...