Dear Me, I don’t want to do what I don’t want to do. But I do. I know. It’s called responsibility. It’s called adulthood. Sometimes, it’s called survival. But if I only do what I don’t want to do, I’m tired and I’m cranky; my imagination stalls and my hopelessness fills out its contours all […]
Is This It?
Chronic pain and the dismissal of doctors. Bad Rx.
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 […]
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 […]