Sexuality, femininity and intimacy – Iceni

 

In one extreme case, Iceni sustained serious and lasting damage to her pelvic region from radiation. This has made it impossible for her to have intercourse.

Transcript

But, sex no. I don’t have sex, no because some… there was some damage there.

Interviewer: Oh so you had to stop?

I’m celibate yeah! jeez…

Interviewer: Because of the treatment?

Yeah because of yeah, which is horrible because nobody tells you that. It doesn’t stop you from being loving and doing other things but not actual intercourse. I remember when I had my pap test a year after, and she said “Oh intercourse is out.” I said “What!” She says “No you can’t.” I say “Why?” She says “Because you’re a mess in there.” I say “Well what do you mean?” She says “Well you must have had radiation for cancer down there.” I said “No.” So I never got to the bottom of that, how that happened and it’s too painful.

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