Dear Annie: I have been married to my husband for 20 years. Unfortunately, I had to have a colostomy last year and now use a colostomy bag. Prior to my surgery, I was having trouble with regard to our sexual frequency. My menopause years were horrible, and I couldn’t take hormones due to a strong family history of breast cancer.

Now I have a terrible body image and can’t even think about sex. My husband, however, has a strong libido and has been finding other outlets. I know he has visited several porn sites on our computer, and I found a stash of hard-core porn videos in our home. I also came across some sexually explicit e-mails to women I don’t know, but who I think are co-workers.

Haven’t I already been through enough without all this? If the tables were turned and he had to have his testicles removed due to cancer, I would not be doing the things he is doing behind my back. He refuses counseling. He reads your column and I would appreciate a response. — Had Enough

Dear Had Enough: We wouldn’t exactly compare a colostomy to having a man’s testicles removed, but we understand your distress. Still, you can’t expect your husband to be less interested in sex simply because you are. For the sake of your marriage, we think you should make the effort to get back in the game.

Here’s some information and advice from the Mayo Clinic:

“If you feel less attractive with your ostomy, take your return to intimacy slowly. Take steps to feel more confident. Empty and clean your ostomy pouch. Check the seal to make sure it’s tight. Use an opaque pouch or try a pouch cover. Lingerie and cummerbunds made to conceal a pouch or hold it in place are available from specialty retailers. You might find that some sexual positions put pressure on your ostomy and are uncomfortable. Experiment with new positions, such as lying on your side.”

You can get more information and find a support group through the United Ostomy Associations of America (uoaa.org) at 1-800-826-0826.

Dear Annie: I sent a bar mitzvah invitation to a cousin in California. He not only didn’t RSVP or call to wish us congratulations, but he gave his mother a check to send along with hers. When I deposited the check, it was returned for insufficient funds, which cost me $15.

Please tell me the correct way to handle this delicate situation. — Marilyn

Dear Marilyn: There’s nothing you can do without being equally rude. Your cousin sounds etiquette challenged. He will learn from his bank that the check was returned for insufficient funds and can then choose to replace it or not. But we’re afraid you’re out the $15. Sorry.

Dear Annie: Hats off to all those women who wrote about what little choice we seniors have in purchasing new clothes. When I shop with friends, I often come home with nothing but a new turtleneck, a T-shirt or some other basic item that at least doesn’t reveal my navel.

Though I am older than the baby boomers (I’m 76), a lot of us are in good health, still enjoy traveling and doing fun things, and would like to have a few cute outfits to do them in. Please be our advocate and appeal to manufacturers to get some clothes out there for the age 55-80 set. We will love you for it. — Barbara in Memphis

Dear Barbara: We hope designers and manufacturers can comprehend the economic upside of creating affordable, decent clothing for women older than 40 who have no interest in competing with teenage girls, but still want to look good. And are willing to spend the money to get there.

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Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. To find out more about Annie’s Mailbox, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Published in The Messenger 3.19.09