DEAR HARRIETTE: I am worried about my husband’s health. He has had swollen ankles off and on for a year, and they are swollen now. He used to be physically active in terms of exercise. Now he comes home from work from a fairly physical job, gets a drink and goes to bed. Sometimes he will get up and have dinner, but his patterns have changed dramatically. As much as he has been conscientious about vitamins and such, he rarely goes to the doctor. We have two teenage children. I try to get him to think of them and go check out his health. I don’t know what I would do if I lost him. What can I do or say to convince him to get a physical? -- On the Edge, Atlanta
DEAR ON THE EDGE: Schedule a doctor’s appointment for him at a time that you know he will be available. Sit down and tell your husband that you are taking him to the doctor for a checkup. Do not make it optional. Tell him you are worried sick about his health and need to have him evaluated. Remind him that you have two precious children and you need him to be around to help you take care of them. Tell him how much you love him and that all you want is for him to be healthy. Then get him in the car and go.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)