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To Your Good Health: Dementia worsens after case of delirium

DEAR DR. ROACH: My 83-year-old sister underwent the simple procedure of replacing her pacemaker battery. She’s also been diagnosed with early signs of dementia. They gave her propofol, and when she woke up, she had extreme vertigo. Since it was an outpatient facility, they dumped her in the emergency room. She spent four days in the ER because there weren’t any beds in the hospital. On the second day, she developed a bad case of delirium. After four days, she had to be transferred to a nursing home, where she spent 17 days trying to recover. She still isn’t 100% as this delirium ...

Make half-sour pickles with a refrigerator ferment

If you know deli lingo, you know that half-sour pickles are crunchy, bright-green pickles, not the duller green of more familiar long-soured pickles. Half sours have a distinct snap and much gentler flavor. This recipe from our cookbook "Cold Canning" is our first refrigerator ferment: ...

Cleaning up after a frightening storm

It is already 1 p.m. and I need to stay seated long enough to write this column. My list for today isn't getting done like I wanted to. Daughter Loretta and her children just left for home. She came over this morning and we ate breakfast, or rather brunch, together. First of all, I want to thank everyone for their birthday cards and gifts. It was greatly appreciated! How interesting to receive cards from over 20 states, Canada and Australia. Your words were all a great encouragement. Sometimes I feel like it's time-consuming to write every week but then when I hear your words of ...

DEAR ANNIE: Daughter-in-law distances herself after baby

DEAR ANNIE: I am heartbroken over my daughter-in-law’s sudden and painful change in behavior since the birth of our grandson a year ago. Before the baby was born, we had a warm relationship. For four years, she was sweet, kind and very much a part of our large extended family. She joined family trips, holidays and even our “happy birthday” text chains. We truly believed she felt invested in us. Since giving birth, however, she has almost completely cut off communication. She rarely answers texts or phone calls. We have offered to drop off meals, babysit so she can get her hair ...