I was in college and required surgery on both feet (details unimportant). It was serious enough to require a couple days' hospitalization. My feet had to be elevated on pillows . . . they were heavily bandaged, but a good portion of my soles were exposed.
I had an attractive nurse that evening -- no roommate -- and later, when things got quiet, my nurse brought her attractive colleague We made small talk for a few minutes (I was pretty thrilled by the attention from these white-clad ladies), and then they sat down at the foot of my bed. ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY.
One said, "We want to tickle your feet." I was dumbfounded. After finally managing to swallow, I said: "I have to admit that when a girl tickles my feet, I get excited." They looked at each other and began laughing. "Really? Then we'll have to tickle EXTRA good!"
The beautiful blonde tickled one foot and the beautiful redhead tickled the other. To their delight, I laughed like mad. The tickling didn't last more than a minute (maybe 90 seconds), but the memory has lasted a lifetime.
The next night, my nurse cared for me as though nothing had happened. But when the hospital began to quiet again, she asked: "Could we tickle your feet again tonight?" I was, again, stunned, and said: "I think I can take it." But by 11 or so, I was dozing. The nurses came in and said, "We feel bad about tickling you if you're too sleepy." I tried to wake up and convince them, but they apparently felt guilty about it. Damn.
Since then, I would guess that at least 7 nurses have asked if I am ticklish before examining any part of my body (and I'm sure my woman doctor enjoys tickling me, too. She has tickled my stomach, my feet, my sides and under my arms, all on separate occasions. I'd love to tickle her back, but frankly, I enjoy the vulnerability).
I think there's something to this medical tickling.
