DEAR ABBY: Regarding the woman who had a scar on her wrist from having a ganglion tumor surgically removed: She became angry when, during a routine physical, a new doctor asked her if she had attempted suicide. Instead of being angry, she should have thanked that doctor for his loving concern.
During my entire junior year in high school, I had fresh gashes on my wrists. I was depressed over the loss of a friend and confused about my identity. Having been adopted, I wondered why my birth mother had thrown me away.My band teacher, who positioned my hands on the flute, pretended not to notice the cuts on my wrists. My mother accused me of injecting drugs. My English teacher never asked me why all my compositions were about death and suicide. My chemistry teacher never noticed that I had lists of poisons on my notebooks.
Finally, some good, caring friends took me to a counselor who backed me into a corner and yelled, "What is wrong with you?"
To make a long story short, I was sent to an adolescent psychiatric facility, put in a padded cell and tested. They found that I had a biochemical imbalance. I was treated with anti-depressant drugs and psychotherapy, which partially solved my problem.
The point I really want to make is this: All the signs were there to read, but nobody wanted to read them.
Thanks, Abby, for letting me "talk" to you. I feel better now. Sign me . . . JANE DOE
DEAR ABBY: I was very disappointed in your reply to "Cherie Morrison" regarding the benefits of moderate wine consumption. What you presented in your reply was not "the truth" (as you claimed), but rather a selected opinion of the results of some study.
For every expert opinion or study that you can cite to support your "truth," I can provide an opinion of a respected professional or a "study" asserting the opposite view.
There is substantial medical evidence that wine is healthful if taken in moderation. Even the most pessimistic interpretation of what is known about the consumption of wine would conclude that wine in moderation is not harmful to most individuals, and may indeed be beneficial.
You commit a grave journalistic sin when you confuse "opinion" with "truth." - J.D. KRONMAN (WHO ENJOYS WINE WITH DINNER EVERY DAY)
DEAR MR. KRONMAN: I have no problem with the consumption of wine if used in moderation. It's the ABUSE of wine I take exception to.
DEAR ABBY: Regarding the wishes of the woman who wanted to be buried next to her mother: She should put her wishes in writing in her will, so when the time comes, there will be no question about it. - KATE D.R. IN ST. PETE'S, FLA.
DEAR KATE: Wills are almost always read AFTER the funeral; instructions concerning one's burial should be given to family members well in advance of the funeral.
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Don't put off writing thank-you notes, letters of sympathy, etc. because you don't know what to say. Get Abby's booklet, "How to Write Letters for All Occasions." Send a check or money order for $2.89 ($3.39 in Canada) to: Dear Abby, Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054. (Postage is included.)