DEAR ABBY: I am a 22-year-old mother of two. Until two months ago, I was happily married. During his last overseas tour, my husband contracted herpes-2. He claims he was under the influence and the woman took “unfair” advantage of him.

I don’t know if I’m more upset that he wasn’t capable of controlling the situation, or the fact he had unprotected sex with a stranger and then with me. I feel robbed, not only of my trust and the sanctity of our marriage, but also of my dignity, my self-image and my future.

I have decided to stay in this marriage. How could anyone else love me if he knew? I have drilled my husband with accusations and questions. How can we put this behind us and have a happy marriage again? Every time I have an outbreak, I’m reminded of what he did to us. Now, because I loved and trusted my husband, I must live with this for the rest of my life. Can you help me to heal my heart – or should I just leave? – CAN’T FORGET

DEAR CAN’T FORGET: According to the American Social Health Association (ASHA), more than one in five Americans over the age of 12 are infected with herpes-2.

Although you may feel isolated in having this problem, nothing could be further from the truth. ASHA has a wealth of information available on this subject, and support groups as well. Please call the National Herpes Hotline for information and referrals in your area. It operates from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EST). The number is (919) 361-8488. The Web site is www.ashastd.org.

I sincerely hope you and your husband can overcome this marital crisis. But if the only reason you’re staying in your marriage is that you think no one else would want you because you have herpes, that’s the wrong reason for staying.

Marriage counseling would be very helpful to you and your spouse. He behaved irresponsibly, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your marriage. Other marriages have survived this. With work and forgiveness on both of your parts, yours might, too.

DEAR ABBY: I am in my mid-80s, and recently a family member died. When I read his obituary in the newspaper I was amazed at how much I learned about him. I later was told he had written his own obituary. No other family member could have recalled all the relevant facts regarding his life.

My wife – very delicately – asked my opinion about writing your own obituary. At first I was taken aback. But after thinking it over, I told her I felt it was an important thing to do. Most of us have prepared our trusts and wills to distribute our estates after we’re gone – and that is not upsetting to us.

Abby, what do you think about people writing their own obituaries? – MURRAY IN SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

DEAR MURRAY: I can’t think of a better way for people to “maximize their positives” and “minimize their negatives.” Not only that, but a person then has the rest of his or her lifetime to polish, edit and update the document. Talk about the ultimate opportunity for creative writing! (And you have the last word.)

DEAR ABBY: I’m curious, are there any statistics on the success rate of couples who have been divorced and remarried the same spouse? My ex-husband and I are getting reacquainted. We were married for 20 years and have been divorced for two. We have both changed, but I’m nervous about the prospect of returning to what I worked so hard to escape. What do you think? – UNCERTAIN IN COLORADO

DEAR UNCERTAIN: I don’t have the statistics, but I’ll ask my readers if their remarriages have worked. Readers?

P.S. Unless you and your former husband have extensive premarital counseling to ensure that the issues that drove you apart have been resolved, I’d advise against it.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $10 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby – Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

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