Classic Ann Landers

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RELEASE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2012 Editor's Note: Hundreds of Ann Landers' loyal readers have requested that newspapers continue to publish her columns. These letters originally appeared in 1999. Dear Readers: Several readers have written to say it was easier to get off cocaine than …Read more. RELEASE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2012 Editor's Note: Hundreds of Ann Landers' loyal readers have requested that newspapers continue to publish her columns. These letters originally appeared in 1999. Dear Ann Landers: Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with kidney disease. My mother told me …Read more. RELEASE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 Editor's Note: Hundreds of Ann Landers' loyal readers have requested that newspapers continue to publish her columns. These letters originally appeared in 1999. Dear Ann Landers: Too many parents have no idea what goes on all day in school, and yet, …Read more. RELEASE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2012 Editor's Note: Hundreds of Ann Landers' loyal readers have requested that newspapers continue to publish her columns. These letters originally appeared in 1999. Dear Ann Landers: I am the mother of a very confused 5-year-old boy. His father and I …Read more.

Classic Ann Landers, September 27

Dear Ann Landers: I have been a reader of your column for many years and know you've written extensively about the link between lung cancer and smoking. Why is it that I never have seen a letter about peripheral arterial disease caused by cigarettes? Please print this one. It could save lives.

My late mother-in-law was a very heavy smoker. She appeared to be in fairly good health until she passed 70. One morning, she got out of bed and barely could stand up because of the pain. She said it was like walking on broken glass. A diagnosis by her doctor showed the arteries in both her legs were blocked. He said that in all the years of his medical career, he never had seen such diseased arteries. He recommended bypass surgery at once, but she refused. She then moved in with my husband and me, and it was apparent that she was in pain 24 hours a day. One evening, while soaking her feet, I noticed gangrene had set in. The doctor hospitalized her the following day.

Her right leg was amputated below the knee. It was a horrible experience for the family and painful for her. One month later, the doctors took the rest of the leg. Two months after that, the same problem surfaced with her left leg, and another amputation followed.

That dear woman lived for four years in a nursing home, miserable the whole time. She lost not only both legs but also her independence, her dignity and the ability to live a normal life. So, dear Ann, please keep telling your readers, especially the younger ones, DON'T SMOKE. You may use my name if you wish. — Lillian Stevenson, Seminole, Fla.

Dear Lillian: You've written a powerful letter, and I thank you for it.

I hope all my young readers who believe smoking is "sophisticated" will pay close attention. Ask yourself, "Could this happen to me someday?" And to you older smokers who've been promising to quit "one of these days," how about NOW?

Dear Ann Landers: I am married to the sweetest man in the world, but he has some odd ideas when it comes to money.

"Harry" does not believe in banks. He doesn't trust them. I know that he has put aside quite a lot of money, but he hides it, and I have no idea where. I've tried talking to him about this, but he changes the subject. Once, I told him: "Honey, if you die, I will be broke. Please tell somebody where you put the money." He refused. Harry buys me whatever I want but will not let me know where the money is. Do you see a solution? — Shreveport, La.

Dear La.: It sounds as if Harry may be bordering on paranoia. Try to explain the danger of hiding money. For example, he could run into trouble with the Internal Revenue Service. Show him this column, and tell him Ann says, "If Harry loves you, he will put his money in the bank and leave it to you in his will." In the meantime, diamonds can be more than a girl's best friend. They also can be an excellent investment.

"A Collection of My Favorite Gems of the Day" is the perfect little gift for that special someone who is impossible to buy for. Send a self-addressed, long, business-sized envelope and a check or money order for $5.25 (this includes postage and handling) to: Collection, c/o Ann Landers, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Ann Landers and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

ANN LANDERS (R)

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My father is also one who has smoked for several years andhe also has peripheral atery disease. H has had this disease since I was about the age of 9 and I am now 40. My father has underwent 13 surgeries for bypass (fem pops) and he has the bypass tubes in both arms, both legs and behind his stomach. His first signs were having mini strokes gradually shutting down normal thought process. The doctors repeatedly thought he was just in depression and didn't medicate him properly. His symptoms worsened and he began having horrible pains in his arms and legs. Finally a cardiovascular surgeon seen my dad and diagnosed him with PAD but that was almsot 8 years later. Due to all the mini strokes and the lack of proper diagnosis and treatments he has Alzhiemers cause from the strokes. God has blessed us to let him be with us today and he is now 70 but his mind is of a 12 year old. Please, please, please, understand that smoking does horrible things to your body. My father quit smoking after his first major surgery, but the damage was already done. Watching a family member whither away from something that could have been prevented is a horrible feeling.

Comment: #1
Posted by: Bellasfairies
Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:21 AM

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