The intimacy/sexual needs of the terminally ill and the widowed
1978; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 2; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/07481187808253312
ISSN2375-0405
Autores Tópico(s)Family Support in Illness
ResumoAbstract “When I was in the hospital and received the first results of my tests—that I had Hodgkin's Disease—I had an overwhelming desire to be held—to be loved and caressed. I sent out cues to the only man who might possibly understand—my physician—and he went flying out the door” (comments of a young woman in her 20s). “Sure I've missed sex. My husband and I had a good sex life almost to the day he died of a coronary. In fact, we made love the night before. But I couldn't carry on with another man unless we were married. I would feel too guilty. In fact, I don't even know if I could remarry. What do I do? I try to stay active, and travel. Once in awhile I masturbate, but I end up usually feeling both relieved and guilty as hell” (comments of a 50-year-old widow). “I've enjoyed talking with you, Mrs. Carpenter. Would you care if I visited again?” “That would be nice,” the 84-year-old woman with slightly glazed blue eyes replied from her bed. Death hovered close. The cancer had metastasized throughout her entire body. “You know, I have some students who would love to visit with you and talk. Would it be okay to bring a few along with me?” “Oh yes, that would be fine. I enjoy company.” As I got up to leave, it occurred to me to ask, for no particular reason, “Would you prefer that I bring you men or women or both?” Her eyes sparkled as she replied spontaneously, “Young men of course … I've always preferred men” (a conversation three days before the death of Mrs. Carpenter). “Another manifestation of anxiety, a reaction to the stress of dialysis, was the occurrence of unconcealed masturbation in many of the male patients during the early months of dialysis” (26).
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