DEAR ABBY: Here's a new one for you: I am HAIRY! And I don't mean just a moustache. I am a woman in my mid-30s and single. I date occasionally, and I have more chest hair than the last man I went out with. I do not wear necklines cut to the navel, but it would be nice if I didn't have to wear turtlenecks and blouses buttoned up to the last button.
I've asked my doctor, and all he can say is, "Some people have more hair than others." Abby, there must be a solution to this. What do bodybuilders and transvestites do?
I've tried shaving my neck and chin, and get a 5 o'clock shadow by noon, plus the hair comes back darker and thicker. Plucking is a never-ending chore; I get sores, and the hair still comes back. I've considered electrolysis, and I'm sure it would be possible for some areas, but not all over my body! Besides, I understand it's expensive.
Abby, please help me. Do other women suffer with this? Could there be a medical solution? - HAIRY BUT NOT HARRY
DEAR HAIRY: Yes. Other women also suffer from this. You need to see: an endocrinologist (a physician whose specialty is glands), and a dermatologist (a physician dealing with the skin). The gland specialist will be able to tell you if your problem is a hormone imbalance, in which case some kind of medication may be prescribed in order to control it. The dermatologist can recommend a qualified electrologist. Hair removal by electrolysis is the preferred method for permanent hair removal. It is not inexpensive, but superfluous hair on women is such a curse, it's worth it. My heart goes out to you. Please write again and let me know how you're doing.
DEAR ABBY: Thank heavens the "graduation season" is over. I am personally very tired of all these graduations - and worse yet, all those "announcements," which suggest that a gift is expected.
I am all for high school and college graduations, but graduation ceremonies for preschoolers, kindergarten, grammar school and the eighth grade try my patience.
My nephew graduated from college in June, and his parents had to beg him to go through with the ceremony. He said he didn't see any sense in renting a cap and gown and sitting under a broiling sun a whole afternoon just to get his diploma, when he could have it mailed to him!
Please comment. - AUNT FLORENCE
DEAR AUNT FLORENCE: I agree with you, and I see your nephew's point. High school and college graduation ceremonies, "Si"; all the others, "No!"
DEAR ABBY: In response to "Grandma's" letter regarding blood-typing: Forty years ago, in southern Idaho, the town doctor decided it would be a good idea to have everyone's blood type tattooed on their rib cage. Well, this doctor was a better doctor than a tattoo artist, so the "O+" tattooed on my rib cage under my left arm came out looking more like "OX."
However, I have derived some benefit from the tattoo. When I was in the service, the tattoo on this farm boy from Idaho gave me something in common with my fellow soldiers from the big cities with their self-inflicted tattoos - earning me the nickname "Ox."
For the record, Abby, I suggest that blood types be noted on one's driver's license along with the organ donor information. - KIM R. WILSON, SALT LAKE CITY
People are eating them up! For Abby's favorite recipes, send a long, business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada), to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054. (Postage is included.)