RECONSTRUCTING A WOMANS EXPERIENCES WITH AIDS

The increasing incidence of HIV disease in women is a concern for heal th care providers. However, little is known about the course of the di sease or the personal experiences of women involved. This qualitative study of ''Tess'' (a pseudonym) explores her experiences in living and dying with AIDS. A narrative analysis of Tess's story reveals two sto ry lines: ''I Was a Strong, Mean Woman'' consists of her accounts of h er childhood and early adult years, and ''Dying Young'' begins with he r difficulties in obtaining a correct diagnosis of her disease, chroni cles the ensuing problems, and ends with her death. Because narrative as qualitative research method attends to individual imagination, self -interpretation, power relationships, and context, this analysis enabl es health care providers to better understand the life experiences of women who have AIDS.