KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR | Annie's Mailbox His ex-girlfriend cries on his shoulder

Dear Annie: I am still in love with my ex-girlfriend, "Alice," and she states that she is still in love with me. We spend a lot of time together talking, and I am hoping to re-establish our relationship. She claims to want the same thing.
The only problem is, I've turned into her crying wall. Why? Because she is dating another man right now who makes her unhappy. Even though she complains about him constantly, she always returns to him. Alice tells me that 98 percent of her heart wants to be with me, but the other two percent wants to be with him.
This is particularly funny when she chooses to spend the night in my bed instead of his. Why is she like this, and what is she trying to pull? La Crosse, Wis.
Dear La Crosse: She's trying to pull your chain, honey, to see how far she can drag you down. Regardless of what Alice tells you about percentages, she wants to be with her boyfriend. If you are looking for a serious relationship, look elsewhere. Alice is stringing you along.
Dear Annie: I didn't like your advice to the college student whose friends were constantly in her room. You consulted some students who said asking her friends to leave would be rude. They suggested she close her door and not answer, or go to the library to study. I disagree. Why should she have to leave her own room in order to study?
I am a college student and have dealt with intrusive and annoying friends who seemed to be permanent fixtures in my room. According to dorm etiquette, leaving the door open is an invitation to walk in. She should put a message board on her closed door and write on it, "I am studying, please do not disturb."
It's perfectly OK to ask for some time to yourself. Real friends will understand when you need peace and quiet. Student in East Lansing, Mich.
Dear Student: We received several letters from college students who agree with you, and frankly, we also believe students should be able to close their doors and study in peace. In some dorms, however, it would lessen the "popularity" of that particular student's room. Some students might find that result perfectly OK, and others would choose to study in the library. Each student should pick the method that best suits his or her needs. Our thanks to all the college students who wrote.
Dear Annie: I am a registered nurse and work in the pre-op and surgery areas of an outpatient surgery center. Yesterday, a patient who required general anesthesia disregarded the pre-op instructions to not eat or drink before the procedure. She became quite angry when we informed her the surgery had to be canceled.
I would like to explain why we tell patients not to eat or drink anything before surgery. When patients receive anesthesia, they lose their protective reflexes, such as the ability to cough or gag if something gets in their throat. A person with something in his or her stomach is more likely to vomit. If this occurs under anesthesia, it can cause severe breathing problems and even death.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of following these directions. I have seen patients nearly die when they lied and claimed not to have had anything to eat or drink. Please pass along this information to your readers. We all want a safe, positive outcome. RN, BSN, in Saginaw, Mich.
Dear Saginaw: We appreciate the information. People often disregard doctors' instructions because they do not understand the seriousness of the repercussions. Now that you've made it clear, let's hope they pay more attention.
XE-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@attbi.com, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611.
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