FEATURES
6A
Can patients record doctors?
Dear Annie: I’ve seen sev-
eral doctors recently, and each
time I noticed that they gave a lot
of information so quickly that I
could not absorb it all, nor could I
remember it entirely.
I also received written instruc-
tions after a recent surgery, but
those weren’t particularly good,
either. Part of the instructions
included a form that was illed
out by the doctor, whose hand-
writing I had dificulty reading.
Ideally, all information would
be typed up and handed to the
patient. Granted, it takes time
for someone to do this, but it’s
the patients’ health we are deal-
ing with. If the doctor refuses to
provide this, I suggest bringing a
voice recorder. Turn it on when
you’re told “the doctor will see
you shortly,” and make sure the
doctor speaks clearly. Ask them
to repeat anything if you don’t
think it came across. Ask the doc-
tor to explain medical terms that
are used routinely, but that you
may not understand.
Are there any legal issues
involved in doing this? Of course,
doctors should be informed that
they are being recorded. — Get
It Right
Dear Get: If you are recording
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
the doctor’s instructions for your
personal and private use, there
should be no objection — legal
or otherwise. But most doctors
have computerized systems, and
in many instances, test results and
instructions can be sent to patients
via email. Ask your doctor about
this. Hospitals also should be
handing you typed post-surgi-
cal instructions. Of course, it is
important to read through every-
thing and to call your doctor if
you do not understand something.
Too many patients are reluctant
to phone or email their doctor,
because they don’t want to be a
nuisance. But it is important to be
proactive about your health care.
Doctors don’t want you to misin-
terpret their instructions, either.
Dear Annie: I don’t enjoy
going to movies any longer. Why?
Because anything rated PG-13
and up is usually laced with gross
profanity. I simply don’t enjoy
listening to this kind of language.
I recently agreed to accom-
pany my husband to a movie
that received good reviews and
starred two well-known actors.
When I left the theater, I was
convinced that the writers of
this movie must have not gone
further than the fourth grade.
Nearly every sentence had the
f-word. Are these writers so lim-
ited in their knowledge of our
language and vocabulary? All
of that profanity distracted from
what could have been an inter-
esting movie.
We have become desensitized
to all the profanity around us. I’d
love to see a sophisticated ilm
for adults that doesn’t offend my
ears. Am I the only one who feels
this way? — No Movies for Me
Dear No: We can assure you
that others ind the vulgar lan-
guage (not to mention the gratu-
itous violence and sex) equally
objectionable. There are mov-
ies that do not pander to the low-
est common denominator. You
can look online for various web-
sites that list clean-language
ilms, some of which may also be
sophisticated adult ilms.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You might be
afraid that if you accept help, it will indebt
you to a person. That’s not the case today, so
go ahead and let others do some of the work
when they offer.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). No one said
you had to be easygoing all of the time.
You have needs that might put you into
the “high-maintenance” category. So what?
You’re not always like this. Loosen up, and
let off some steam.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Remember
that every difficult situation is an environ-
ment to grow — creatively, spiritually and
personally. You’re up to the challenge and
you’ll answer the call.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re not
worried about what they think of you, be-
cause you’re not convinced that they think of
you at all. Other people are thinking primarily
about themselves. That’s a liberating fact.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You crave the
sweet life. What does that mean to you? You
definitely want to spend time with the ones
who make you feel that life is so good. Your
favorite foods and pleasures will be part of
this, too.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll share
your feelings with enthusiasm. This bold-
ness is what makes you someone’s favorite
person. Actually, more than one will claim
you as a favorite today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Check your
own motives. You thought you were in a
situation for one reason, and you’ll likely
figure out that it was only the start of it. Your
needs go deeper than you think. Success
depends on understanding what motivates
you.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Do not un-
derestimate your opponent. People are ca-
pable of more than you think, and that in-
cludes you, too. Also, if you have the choice,
play the long game.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re
almost ready to break out of the pattern that
was holding you back. The only thing is,
there’s something warm, familiar and com-
fortable in this that you still need. You’ll need
to develop new coping mechanisms.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Write it
down; write all of it down. These are the de-
tails you won’t want to miss. Plus, you’re not
likely to keep it straight and stay on task un-
less you get it down on paper — “old school”
style.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your dedi-
cation will pay off eventually. Right now, you’ll
feel the muscle strain that comes with put-
ting in more work. There’s no shortcut. You’ll
know it was enough work when you see the
result.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You have tal-
ents that the others can’t appreciate; it’s true.
That’s why you need to meet new people —
people who truly get who you are. You de-
serve to be deeply appreciated, not merely
tolerated.
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 16).
There will be good news for your family in
the next six weeks. This will be hard work,
but after the initial push you’ll get the help of
a mentor and a strong team. You’ll set out to
make your mark on the world, and you’ll do
it, too. The next six weeks show you acquir-
ing a skill you’ll use for years to come. Love
signs are Libra and Leo. Your lucky numbers
are: 5, 2, 33, 38 and 18.