Excerpt of Book – 997 words [w/slight edit]
Friday afternoon, September 27, 1968
“What an exhausting week,” Charles Winston exclaimed as he and Nancy Ames relaxed in the late afternoon. “We have to do something about our rapidly developing public health problem.”
Nancy replied, “I also want to brief you about a personal matter after we discuss the public health problem.”
The medical team in the small farming community of Middleton, Kansas had squeezed in unscheduled appointments for 21 patients during the last five days. After two years of working together, the doctor and nurse discussed all subjects freely. While admiring each other, they never let sex, romance or personal differences adversely affect their friendship and professional relationship.
Charles, athletic-looking and 35 years old, was committed to Middleton. Using government matching funds, the community had helped put him through med school and residency. In exchange, it received a bright, young doctor for at least five years.
Rural doctors were scarce. Most medical students wanted to practice in metro areas for the money, prestige and stimulating lifestyle. Charles didn’t like cities where people were anonymous, and the rat race was hectic. He wanted a slower lifestyle in a place where he was respected and made a difference in people’s lives.
Nancy had grown up in a farm family in northeastern Kansas. The attractive 25-year-old brunette was known for her pleasant personality, caring attitude and tactfulness. These personal traits plus several years experience as the area visiting nurse made her a valuable asset in the office. She was going to marry Sven Ekeberg, a local farmer, on October 19.
After taking a long sip of his beer and wondering what her personal matter was about, Charles began. “This week, we’ve seen 21 cases of sexual dysfunction. Some of these patients complained about a complete lack of sexual desire. Others had the desire mentally but were unable to become aroused physically. All of them felt frustrated enough to seek help so they can regain the sexual satisfaction they’re used to.
“So far I’ve been unable to identify what’s causing this problem. Also, the drugs I’ve been prescribing aren’t working. Since there’s no sign of any letup, I anticipate more people will be seeking help. The only bright spot in all this is that people are otherwise healthy. It appears to me that we’re seeing the start of a very unusual outbreak. Do you think I’m overreacting?”
Nancy replied with a half smile. “It’s more like you’ve been underreacting. I’ve been nagging you for the past two days about what we should do. Have you come up with anything?”
“We could wait another week and see if the problem goes away by itself. We could use this time to quietly alert our town leaders and get them involved. If the situation worsens, they’ll have to deal with what could be some serious consequences. You’ve worked in public health, Nancy. What do you think?”
“It’s better to act sooner than later. We can begin by forming a local committee and developing an action plan to inform the public. Let’s also invite outside medical experts to investigate and make some recommendations.”
“I know that eventually we’ll need to seek outside help, Nancy. As I see it, our first responsibility is to alert local leaders who have a need to know and can help. In another week, we can have an action plan ready along with a factual report to back up our request to outside experts. By then, if we’re lucky, this outbreak and our worries will be over.”
“That sounds like a plan to me, Charles. I’m curious about your best guess about what may be causing this thing.”
“I suspect either a new flu virus or new strain of venereal disease. Since we’ve already tested people for known STDs and found nothing, this could be a new one.
“If it’s a flu virus, there are none of the usual flu symptoms. The people we’ve examined are healthy so far. That’s another reason for waiting a week. Viruses can suddenly become either benign or virulent. Or, like syphilis, they can appear to disappear but actually just go dormant for awhile. Whether it’s a flu or VD, I’m not sure right now. What’s your best guess?”
“With the Hong Kong flu on the way, my guess is a virus. What’s our next step?”
Charles said, “In addition to updating our patient files, we’ll need a separate report to support our contention that we have a problem. Also, let’s protect the privacy of individual patients.
“This will require discretion because if word leaks out it may start a panic. I’d like you to put together this factual report, Nancy. I trust you and you can read my atrocious handwriting. However, I don’t want to interfere with your wedding that’s only three weeks away. Are you willing to handle this project?”
Nancy replied, “My, what a great time to ask for a raise.” When their laughter ended, she accepted.
“While I appreciate your concern, Charles, I don’t see this as much of a burden. Besides, this challenge can add some excitement to our routine lives.”
After thanking her, the doctor then asked what she wanted to tell him.
“Last Saturday night, Sven and I were feeling frisky. I became aroused; he did not. I suggested maybe this was a grace from God to help us postpone sexual intercourse until after the wedding. Sven blamed it on pre-nuptial jitters. We wrote it off as a fluke. But maybe Sven belongs on our list of impotent patients.”
Charles said gently. “What terrible timing! It must be very frustrating and disturbing for this to happen so close to your wedding. You know I’ll do all I can to help.”
Nancy thanked him and said, “Yes, it’s hard for us both.” She smiled. “Let me rephrase that. It’s difficult for both of us. But our love is strong enough to weather this problem. Sex is only one expression of love.”
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