Dr. Hans Weber, pediatric oncologist, ushered the family of his patient into his office, motioning for them to seat themselves on the sofa to the side. Sitting down at his desk, he shuffled his paperwork and reviewed the information about his patient, 14-year old Arthur Young, on his computer screen. Hans glanced over at Arthur, sandwiched uncomfortably between his parents. He was short and small for his age, and had been diagnosed with CDGP - Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty. That wasn’t why he was here, however. Instead he’d been referred to Hans by his pediatrician because of symptoms that suggested Ewing’s syndrome, a form of cancer, and unfortunately that suspicion had proven correct. The boy had already undergone a battery of tests, including a biopsy, and had a combination of chemotherapy, radiation treatment and surgery still ahead of him.

Still, there was hope. After a final review of the data, Hans adjusted his glasses and stood up to address the family. “Well, I have some good news - it appears the cancer has not spread beyond the primary site. That will make treatment easier, and the chances of a full recovery are good.”

Arthur’s parents looked relieved, but Arthur own reaction was muted. He knew what was ahead of him; what he’d have to endure before he’d be well, if it worked. But there was no choice, or Arthur’s symptoms - a constant low fever, bone pain, limping, always feeling tired, and weight loss - would persist and worsen.

The doctor continued. “There is an issue with his treatment, however, that complicates matters. Because the cancer is in his femur bone, close to the groin, the treatment risks harming his future fertility. He could even be rendered sterile.” He paused. “However, if we were to obtain sperm samples from him now, they could be cryopreserved for future use, when he is ready to start a family.” He briefly outlined the process of sperm banking to them. “If you wish to do this, it must be done before treatment begins. The usual method of collection is for the patient to masturbate - unless that is objectionable?” He asked.

Arthur blushed and sunk lower into his seat, brushing his brown hair out of his eyes, which were lowered.

“No, that’s fine. Right, John?” said Mary, his mother. John nodded.

“Very good! But because your son’s puberty is delayed, I must first speak with him privately. I may also need to examine him.”

“Of course,” said John, and he and Mary stood and left the room, shutting the door behind them.

“Now, then, young man,” said the doctor, pulling his chair close and sitting down facing Arthur. “I apologize for embarrasing you, but we must have a talk. You may call me Hans. Do you understand what we want you to do, and why?”

Arthur shrugged, still averting his eyes. “You want me to touch myself,” he said vaguely and evasively.

“Yes - to masturbate.” Hans smiled. “There is nothing to be ashamed of. Every boy does it. It feels good.” He continued. “Of course this would be done in private, in a room by yourself. However, I must first ask you some more questions, to see if we can proceed. When you masturbate, does a white, sticky liquid come out? That is semen - it contains the sperm, which is the sample we need.”

Arthur’s face turned redder. He knew what the doctor mean.

“No. Nothing ever comes out. Except when I pee, of course.”

This was not unexpected, but required elaboration. Hans knew that sometimes when boys first felt ejaculation approaching, they stopped before reaching the brink and didn’t complete the act out of fear, not knowing what was about to happen. He had to make sure the boy wasn’t just stopping too soon. With some coaxing, Arthur reluctantly disclosed his masturbatory practices, which proved to be frequent, vigorous and most definitely to orgasm - albeit dry ones. He wasn’t avoiding ejaculation, it just wasn’t happening.

“And when did you last masturbate?” Hans queried.

“Yesterday.” Arthur hesitated. “Twice.”

“I see.” Dr. Weber thought for a moment. “Let’s have a look at you. Would you please lower your pants and shorts?”

Slowly, Arthur complied. He stood up and pulled down his jeans and underwear, exposing his genitalia. “I hate showering with the other boys at school,” he said ruefully.

As it became clear why, Hans sighed. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of delayed puberty was well borne out by what he saw - no wonder the boy hadn’t ejaculated yet. Under other circumstances, they could simply let time take its course, but there was no telling when his body would be ready, and they needed the semen samples now. After briefly examining Arthur’s penis, which was uncircumcised, he felt of the boy’s scrotum and found the testicles. This was more promising. Taking his orchidometer from his desk, he compared the size of the boy’s testes to the beads - 10 milliliters. Here his body was more mature, Hans thought. There ought to be sperm present. Perhaps this was recent growth not reflected in the report? Hans considered his options. He could have the boy submit a urine sample to check for sperm, but it would take more time and there was a chance of a false negative. No, he would act on the premise sperm was there.

The traditional solution was to stick a needle into the scrotum and extract sperm directly from the testicles, but there was a new method available that was much less invasive - and more pleasant. Time for another discussion with the entire family.

After having the boy dress again, Dr. Weber called Arthur’s parents back into the room, and explained his findings - and his recommended course of action.

A few days later, Registered Nurse Carter reported to her supervisor, Nurse Practitioner Torres, who she found in the lab checking a odd-looking piece of equipment that resembled a blue, flashlight-sized tube with dials on each end and a flat disk on the side. Confirming the device was fully charged, Torres unplugged it and held it in one hand, turning to face her friend and colleague. “Just in time, Liz,” said Torres, smiling. “I need to go over what we’re going to do beforehand - your part’s easy.” Noticing Elizabeth was still staring at the thing in her hand, Deborah smirked. “I take it you don’t know what this is. This, Liz, is a medical vibrator. The Ferticare 2.0, to be exact.” Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “A vibrator? You mean we’re going to...” “Yes,” interrupted Deborah, “we’re collecting a sperm sample with this. Well, hopefully. The procedure is called PVS - Penile Vibratory Stimulation.” Torres held the tube out to Liz, pointing out the various dials and indicators and explaining their use. Then she got to the disc. “See, this part vibrates, and you hold the patient’s penis against it until he ejaculates.” “Eww,” said Elizabeth, “I don’t want to do that.” “Liz, be a professional - it’s a medical procedure,” replied Debbie, then grinned. “In any case, you’re not qualified to use this. Your job is to hold the specimen cup.” This did little to mollify Elizabeth, who said, “We’re not doing some old guy, are we?” “Well, usually it’s used to assist men with spinal cord injuries - but not this time.” With her other hand, Debbie picked up the clipboard off of the counter and handed it to Liz.

Elizabeth looked over the paperwork in shock. “You mean we’re using this on a boy?” she said incredulously. “I don’t understand. Can’t he just -” “Masturbate?” said Torres. “If he could get a sample that way, we wouldn’t be here. He’s underdeveloped for his age - try not to draw attention to it. The poor kid’s had a hard enough time. He’s about to undergo cancer treatment, and he needs to preserve sperm samples before then. Since he hasn’t achieved ejaculation by masturbating, we’re going to use the vibrator to give him a jump-start.” Elizabeth still looked skeptical. “I know it seems weird, but quite a few young cancer patients have received this treatment - at the end of the day, it’s just another way to retrieve samples, and if you have a tool, why not use it? Besides, what’s wrong with it feeling good? Nice to make a patient happy for a change.” Torres motioned to a cabinet filled with empty specimen jars. “Grab a couple of those and follow me.”

In an exam room, Arthur shivered at the slightly cool temperature. He was nude except for a hospital gown, having been instructed to change into it, and wondered how soon he’d be seen. His parents had been told to stay in the waiting room, and he was glad of it. He was nervous enough as it was. Abruptly, the door opened, and two nurses entered, the brunette he’d met earlier, and a blonde woman. What was the brunette’s name again? Debbie? Anyway, she seemed to be in charge. “This is Liz,” said Debbie, motioning towards the blonde woman. “She’s going to be assisting us today. Now I know this is embarrassing and you may be feeling uncomfortable, but don’t worry, we’ve seen boys before.” The two women were attractive, and for a moment Arthur hoped he wouldn’t develop an erection, before he remembered why he was there. “Please take off your gown and lay down here, please,” said Debbie, motioning towards an exam table. Very reluctantly and with obvious embarrassment, Arthur followed instructions, and Debbie adjusted the table to a 45-degree angle while Liz set down one of the jars on a nearby desk and opened the other. Then the two women got a good look at their charge.