My health is declining and I’m worried my husband might not take care of me
I am 53 and my husband is 60. When our relationship started, he was the forgetful one; I tended to remember everything. I have always been mindful…
I lost my hearing in one ear and I’m worried I won’t find a new job
I am a 50-year-old man. After a long-term disease, I had my inner ear removed, and then lost my job due to incapacity. I have hearing in one ear,…
I haven’t told my parents I have cancer, as I fear they will say something hurtful
Dear Annalisa, Last year, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I have told a few people, but not my family, other than my brother, and I…
How can I do more to help my parents when I have a young family of my own?
Dear Annalisa, A few months ago, my dad went into a care home. The cognitive symptoms of his Parkinson’s were getting worse after 18 years and my…
Becoming deaf has made me feel insecure. How can I regain my confidence?
Dear Annalisa, I recently became deaf as a result of meningitis. I’ve got the cochlear implant and I’m doing therapy to hear well again. I was already very…
My friend is working so hard it’s affecting her health and family. How can I help?
Dear Annalisa, I have a friend in her mid-40s. She is the most senior member of a team in a very large organisation, and has a husband and two…
My daughter will only eat junk food. How can I get her on a healthy diet?
Dear Annalisa, Our daughter, who is eight, had the “best start”: exclusively breastfed, weaned on to vegetables and fruit and healthy home-cooked meals. At some point, she started…
My brother’s fear of Covid has stopped him socialising. How can I help him?
Dear Annalisa, I am worried about my brother and wondering if there is any way to help him through his fear of Covid. It’s prevented him going…
I sleep for 10 hours a night – but still can’t get up in the morning
Dear Annalisa, I’ve been bad at getting up in the mornings ever since my late teens. I’m now in my mid-30s and most days I can’t seem to get…
My in-laws won’t accept my post-chemo vulnerability. Do I confront them?
Dear Annalisa, Two years ago, aged 35, I was diagnosed with cancer and required major surgery and six months of chemotherapy. I have a wonderful husband,…
Annalisa Barbieri 
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