My teenage son must have fallen asleep very late, and without actually going to bed. In other words, keeling over in the midst of an assignment. His door was open this morning, when I went to tap lightly at 7:30am, to wake him. His easel was set up next to his small desk – a […]
Is This It?
Chronic pain and the dismissal of doctors. Bad Rx.
Coffee, Teeth, Journal, Run!
Wake up and run Alarm clock, hand slapping the buzzer. Rolling out of bed with a groan. Staggering to the bathroom. Staring into the mirror, then teeth, face, shuffling to the kitchen to switch on Mr. Coffee, then back to the bedroom. Blinking at the time, yes, a run is possible, no, a run will […]
Sleeping Sagas, Restless Legs
I feel great. I mean really great. I haven’t felt this well in some time. I’ve had three consecutive nights of 7 hours of sleep. I realize that many people sleep six or seven hours each night and think nothing of it. For me, this is a feat, and vital. It’s the difference between a […]
The restorative powers of sleep. (Not.)
Sleep, with all its remarkable restorative powers – to renew, to recharge, to dream. Then we wake refreshed, and begin a new day. No. There are no restorative powers of sleep for me, only restless legs, flailing about, waking repeatedly, disturbing dreams. The morning. Too soon. A knock on my door. It is not yet […]
The Benefits of Touch: Excerpts from Living and Loving with Chronic Pain
What if you’re the caretaker or loved one of someone who suffers from chronic pain? If you love or care for someone who lives with chronic pain, whether the result of illness or injury, all the more reason to pay attention to the careful sharing of touch. Living with Chronic Pain I have a friend […]
Sex and the Dating Dilemma of SSRIs
The dating pool I’ve been a single woman for a long time, dipping in and out of the dating pool for the better part of a decade. It was a slow re-entry, wading into the shallow end, then descending into the depths when I was ready. Fortunately, I came with a strong stroke or two […]
Cruise Control
It’s drizzling, and still only half light, 6:00 a.m. I need to shower and dress, to drink the first cup of coffee. Dreams are drifting in and out: old friends, improbable scenarios, places I’ve never seen that are vaguely European. The dog is sleeping, stretched on the floor next to my bed. I hear her […]
Living and Loving with Chronic Pain
If you live with chronic pain, the notion of “good days” and “bad days” is very different from your neighbor’s. It isn’t about missing a deadline at work, or the dry cleaner ruining your favorite suit. It begins with the morning A good day is one in which you can get up and move around […]