Promoted employee outranks former mentors

DEAR READERS: I have worked at the same company for 12 years now, and I was recently promoted into a role that places me above several people who have mentored me in my career.

Shoveling snow quickly puts strain on heart

Dear Doctors: I’m 65 and healthy. I actually like shoveling snow because it keeps me active. My grandson and my wife say I’m asking for a heart attack and are after me to get a snowblower. I would like to know how serious a risk shoveling really is. Surely there’s a way to shovel snow and stay safe.

Colleague doesn’t want to train employee

DEAR HARRIETTE: My company recently hired a new entry-level colleague to our team, and I am annoyed that I am the one who has to train her. She graduated from college last May, and this is her first job.

One solution for eye floaters: Vitrectomy

Dear Doctors: You recently stated in a column about eye floaters that there is no cure at this time. I got a vitrectomy for this condition, and it was life-changing for me. By no means is this procedure meant for everyone as it is not without risk, but there is a cure!

Carpooling co-worker tattles on driver

DEAR HARRIETTE: I carpool with my friend to work. I pick her up every day because she’s on the way and doesn’t drive. We’ve been late a few times, and our job has a protocol for lateness. My supervisor doesn’t keep close tabs on our team’s timestamps, so she hardly realized when I was late.

Overuse of curcumin can cause GI distress

Dear Doctors: I am a 67-year-old physically active man. I was taking turmeric three times a day for several weeks to reduce workout-related inflammation.I ended up in the hospital with an abscess and small intestine perforation. I have read excess turmeric may cause this. Please comment.

Classmate creates one-sided rivalry

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m struggling with this weird competitive energy between me and one of my classmates.On the surface, we’re friendly – we study together, share notes, even joke about motivating each other. But lately, it feels like our “friendly competition” is not so friendly anymore.

Comments about daughter cross the line

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend and I were talking recently, and she made a comment about my daughter that caught me off guard. It wasn’t outright cruel, but it was insensitive: She implied that my daughter was “a lot to handle” and hinted that her behavior made it difficult for people to be around her.

Bone bruising is localized area of fractures

Dear Doctors: I slipped and slammed my shin on the metal ledge of a moving van. I could still move my toes, turn my foot, stand on it and walk, so I figured it wasn’t a break. A few days later, a big lump showed up, with lots of swelling and bruising. Could it be it actually was broken?

DO JUST ONE THING

• Backyard bird and nectar feeders need to be properly filled to avoid getting birds sick.When it comes to birdseed, be sure to store it in a dry place inside an airtight container. If there’s any moisture, mold and bacteria can grow.