MovieChat Forums > Love Story (1970) Discussion > Something I always get confused about . ...

Something I always get confused about . . .

posted 14 years ago by kalexschroeder
4 replies | jump to latest

When Oliver goes to see the doctor, he brings up the point that "two 24 year olds can't make a baby," so there must be something wrong with one of them. We know that Jenny had cancer, but I don't understand why that would affect their ability to have a child. Does having cancer affect a woman's fertility after a certain stage in the illness? I never understand this when I watch Love Story, so if anyone can explain this, thank you.

Why did I write? Because I found life unsatisfactory.
*~Tennessee Williams~*

[–] hey_o 14 years ago

I think whether a woman with cancer can physically have children depends on which part of her body is affected by the cancer. If the cancer spreads to the ovarian tissues, then no. Even if the ovarian tissues are not affected, a woman dying of cancer will not be physically strong enough to withstand the strain of carrying a child in the womb (which siphons off the mother's nutrients).

"When I'm good, I'm GOOD. When I'm bad, I'm BETTER."

[–] lroy77 14 years ago

Doesn't matter because with Jennifer's life span, even if she did become pregnant, the baby wouldn't have survived. The only chance would be holding off treatment until the baby was old enough to survive out of the womb. This has happened in real life.

Catholics, help me out here...what's her name...the Italian saint who refused chemo to have her child.

[–] kalexschroeder 13 years ago

I believe St. Gianna Beretta Molla is who you're wondering about.

Why did I write? Because I found life unsatisfactory.
*~Tennessee Williams~*

[–] grumpy_otter 12 years ago

I don't think her infertility had anything to do with her illness--it was simply that the illness was discovered because they went to find out about why they couldn't conceive.