Sexual Intimacy and Terminal Illness (#501)

Nancy Waters recently received a diagnosis of bone cancer in her hip and the prognosis is very bad. This is her second bout with cancer and has been given a few months to live. Although she is receiving physiotherapy after hip surgery, what she really needs is advice about a marriage that’s collapsing under the weight of her illness.

• Listening skills - attending, acknowledging, interpreting and supporting
• Checking perceptions
• Demonstrating empathy
• Practicing silence
• Conveying understanding
• Developing collaborative solutions

Since being diagnosed with bone cancer in her hip six months ago, Nancy’s energy has declined. She has concerns about her husband and the growing emotional gap between them. She does not want her children to know that her cancer is terminal as she wants things as normal as possible for everyone.