San Antonio Express-News

Cancer patient reveals too much detail in public

- Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Dear Abby: A dear friend has been battling cervical cancer. Her condition has left her dependent on a colostomy bag. She’s not shy about discussing it on Facebook and in public, where she speaks loudly. I have tried to be understand­ing and supportive, but there are limits.

My problem is, she’s hell-bent on making sure I see this colostomy bag by frequently checking to see if it’s full, even after returning from the bathroom where I’m certain she checked it. More recently, we were at a restaurant and she exposed her bag in full view of others while they were eating. (The bag was full!)

Not only was it disgusting, it’s also unhygienic should the bag become disconnect­ed or rupture. Am I insensitiv­e for thinking this is inappropri­ate and that she should excuse herself to go to the bathroom? Nauseated In Michigan Dear Abby: During the last year, a female friend of mine has started suggesting that she wants more from our relationsh­ip than just a friendship. She has had a history of doing this whenever she becomes friends with a guy.

When she started sending me pictures that became more and more suggestive, I decided to distance myself from her. But in the last month, she has been getting increasing­ly bold with her advances. How do I handle this without hurting her? Friend And Nothing More In Iowa Dear Friend: Tell your friend you like her, but what she has been doing is making you increasing­ly uncomforta­ble. Be direct about saying you are not interested in a sexual relationsh­ip with her. Then, if she persists, continue to distance yourself from her.

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