Tell boyfriend to ‘cut the cord’
Dear Annie: My boyfriend and I have been together for three years. He is wonderful, except he still pays the cell phone bill for his former girlfriend, “Valerie.” Val’s mother and father are also on the plan and can easily afford their own phone bills.
At first, I was like, OK, I will not be jealous. But it irks me to write that check every month. And now all of a sudden Valerie needs my boyfriend’s help finding a new car. She still calls and e-mails him daily.
Is there a way to cut the cord? I am getting sick of biting my tongue. – Ouch
Dear Ouch: Stop biting and speak up. Unless Val is destitute, we can think of no legitimate reason for your boyfriend to continue paying her cell phone bill or that of her parents. Explain that he is only making things more difficult for Valerie. She cannot move on unless she can be independent of him, and he is making that impossible. He should not be so enmeshed with an ex-girlfriend, unless, of course, he doesn’t want her to be so “ex,” if you get our drift.
Dear Annie: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last year, at age 32, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have no family history of the disease and would not have considered myself to be at risk. My gynecologist found the lump during a routine exam.
Based on my history and age, the doctor decided the lump was nothing to worry about. Several months passed before I was concerned enough to make a follow-up appointment for a mammogram – which showed the cancer.
Please tell your readers to do monthly breast self-examinations. It is recommended that women start performing them at age 20. If a lump is discovered, see a healthcare provider and insist on a mammogram. In most cases, it will turn out to be nothing, but cancer is a possibility at any age. It can and does happen every day to ordinary young people like me. Early detection is the key to survival. – Kentucky
Dear Kentucky: Thank you for taking the time to alert our readers. There has been some controversy recently about the efficacy of self-exams, since they can lead to unnecessary biopsies. Still, any lump should be taken seriously. Most private insurance plans and Medicare will cover mammogram screening, and those without insurance should call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 1 (800) 232-4636 to find a free or low-cost screening. Anyone who would like more information can access the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Web site at nbcam.org.