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HealthQuiet 5d · day 5

Advice columnist urges therapy for sister who refuses doctors out of fear

R. Eric Thomas's 'Asking Eric' column addresses a reader whose 71-year-old sister has avoided medical care for a decade.

newest coverage 4d agosummary written 4d ago5 pieces Newswires

What to know

  • A reader's 71-year-old sister has avoided doctors for a decade, fearing a fatal diagnosis, while suffering worsening mobility and anxiety.
  • Columnist R. Eric Thomas recommends joint therapy sessions and incremental lifestyle changes rather than direct pressure to see a doctor.
  • The same column, including a second letter about a family favoring a young nephew over his sister, was republished with varied headlines across at least five U.S. newspapers on the same day.
  • No reader comments or social discussion accompanied any of the syndicated versions.

“She has not been to a doctor for at least 10 years and even though she doesn’t feel well, she refuses to see a doctor because she is afraid of getting a fatal diagnosis.”

Letter writer ('Dear Sister'), Anonymous reader · Chicago Tribune ↗ · Sep 18

R. Eric ThomasR. Eric Thomas Advice columnistLetter writer ('Dear Sister') Concerned siblingSister Subject of the letterLetter writer ('Dear Auntie') Concerned aunt

Advice columnist urges therapy for sister who refuses doctors out of fear
Denver Post

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles

Peak 3 pieces in two hours at Sep 19, 4 AM; 5 pieces over 5 days (5 articles) Sep 19, 12 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 19, 2 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 19, 4 AM — 3 pieces · 3 articles — Newswires 3Sep 19, 6 AM — quietSep 19, 8 AM — quietSep 19, 10 AM — quietSep 19, 12 PM — quietSep 19, 2 PM — quietSep 19, 4 PM — quietSep 19, 6 PM — quietSep 19, 8 PM — quietSep 19, 10 PM — quietSep 20, 12 AM — quietSep 20, 2 AM — quietSep 20, 4 AM — quietSep 20, 6 AM — quietSep 20, 8 AM — quietSep 20, 10 AM — quietSep 20, 12 PM — quietSep 20, 2 PM — quietSep 20, 4 PM — quietSep 20, 6 PM — quietSep 20, 8 PM — quietSep 20, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 12 AM — quietSep 21, 2 AM — quietSep 21, 4 AM — quietSep 21, 6 AM — quietSep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quiet 12
Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 2:56 AM ET
  1. 2

    Column is syndicated across regional papers with new headlines

    Denver Post, Cleveland.com, AL.com and MassLive republish the same column under varied headlines emphasizing the sister's decade without care and fear of a fatal diagnosis.

  2. 1

    Chicago Tribune publishes Thomas's column on the fearful sister

    The Chicago Tribune runs the 'Asking Eric' column in which a reader describes her 71-year-old sister's decade-long avoidance of doctors and asks how to change her mind.

    “I’ve tried, without success, to convince her to see a doctor since waiting will only make things worse.”
    — Letter writer ('Dear Sister')
    1. 1 outlet Asking Eric: My 71-year-old sister hasn't seen a doctor in 10 years despite serious symptoms

      first by MassLive, 4d ago

    2. 1 outlet Asking Eric: Sister won’t seek medical care

      first by Chicago Tribune, 5d ago

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 1 outlet Asking Eric: My ill sister refuses to see a doctor and I'm terrified for her health

    first by AL.com, 4d ago

    1 more headline

and 1 smaller piece