Good and thoughtful responses in this thread, I would echo the advice to reach out to your support network. I don't necessarily mean by calling everyone up and announcing "I need attention. Gimme some." I feel like I am often able to call or text someone in town and either ask them for coffee or whatever (something I do regularly with a number of people), no need to set up a context. But if I feel I need some contact right now, I'll call up someone and say I just need someone to listen to me.

Sometimes how you define a need shapes the way you feel about it. Calling it a need for "attention" seems to suggest it is an inappropriate need, whether from T or not. Are you often hard on yourself? If so, maybe this is a way to give yourself some slack, especially in the context of your T being away for so long. I could see why attention from her would feel pressing.