the couch. I hadnt felt so at home inside myself in days.
As a neurologist, how did you become interested in studying sleep disorders? Surely there are more glamorous issues with the brain than that.
Glamour? I suppose you could put it that way, but I wanted to research something that would make a difference in the lives of as many people as possible. Once I saw the numbers on how many people actually suffer from different parasomnias, I made up my mind. Parasomnias is the umbrella name for disorders that interrupt the sleep process and create troublesome sleep-related events. They include arousal disorders, sleep-wake transition disorders and poor REM sleep, most of which, by the way, you exhibit.
Thanks a bunch, I thought. I was worried for a minute that Id missed one.
Its fascinating, really. What really caught my attention was learning about fatal familial insomnia while I was in medical school.
Fatal? Isnt that a bit of an exaggeration?
Not at all. Its very rare, but it exists. Its caused by an inherited gene that sends the patient into complete sleeplessness. Its untreatable and therefore ultimately fatal. There are only a few families in the world that suffer from it but they literally die from insomnia.
And I thought I had it bad, I murmured.
He reached for another cookie. I realized that this was a way I could help to ease a lot of peoples stress. The general public doesnt necessarily see a sleep disorder as life-altering, but, as you know, it can be.
Boy, do I know. Id had no intention of talking about this, but the man had already seen me in an episode, so there wasnt much to hide. You saw firsthand why I worry about traveling. My new job will involve much more of it.
And, Im guessing, youve even considered not taking it for that very reason.
I punched my fist into a thick crewel-embroidered pillow on my couch. Yes, unfortunately I have. But I cant put my life on hold any longer. I heard my voice crack. I just cant.
What makes it worse is that I feel intuitively that there is no help for me. It isnt just my biological clock thats ticking rapidly these days. I can see my entire life slipping away while I cocoon myself in cotton batting and protect myself from the world. And, considering what I do in my sleep, the world from me.
Nor should you have to.
David, I know what youre thinking but forget it. Ive tried. And now Ive quit trying. Its been an exercise in frustration, humiliation and disappointment. Ive learned to manage.
As long as you are in the confines of your own home and can make sure that nothing happens to you or anyone else in the night.
Without warning, a feeling of stark terror washed over me. I could give up the job. I could lock myself in the house. But what I couldnt do was let my sister down. Mickey could have separated the boys so that her child-care people could play one-on-one rather than be double-teamed, but for two months or more? What kind of trauma would that cause not only for the boys but for their parents?
What just happened? David asked softly. Your expression looked like youd just seen a ghostor a monster.
I suppose I did, I admitted reluctantly. I saw myself trying to care for my nephews alone for two or three months. I straightened, metaphorically stiffening my spine. I guess it just means that I hire someone to stay with me at night and babysit for the three of us. My friend Darla will help me out, Im sure.
Or you could get help and do it alone.
I held up a hand in protest. Havent you heard me?
I have. All Im saying is that Im here if you need me.
I stared at his handsome, troubled face.
Oh, David, if you only knew how much Ive wished some man would say that to me! But it has to be about me, not the curious disorder that makes me feel like a side-show freak.
Our conversation dwindled and died after that and soon David stood up.
Thanks for everything. I had a great time.
Slumming, you mean?
Visiting a house of unique adventures and wondrous delights, he
As a neurologist, how did you become interested in studying sleep disorders? Surely there are more glamorous issues with the brain than that.
Glamour? I suppose you could put it that way, but I wanted to research something that would make a difference in the lives of as many people as possible. Once I saw the numbers on how many people actually suffer from different parasomnias, I made up my mind. Parasomnias is the umbrella name for disorders that interrupt the sleep process and create troublesome sleep-related events. They include arousal disorders, sleep-wake transition disorders and poor REM sleep, most of which, by the way, you exhibit.
Thanks a bunch, I thought. I was worried for a minute that Id missed one.
Its fascinating, really. What really caught my attention was learning about fatal familial insomnia while I was in medical school.
Fatal? Isnt that a bit of an exaggeration?
Not at all. Its very rare, but it exists. Its caused by an inherited gene that sends the patient into complete sleeplessness. Its untreatable and therefore ultimately fatal. There are only a few families in the world that suffer from it but they literally die from insomnia.
And I thought I had it bad, I murmured.
He reached for another cookie. I realized that this was a way I could help to ease a lot of peoples stress. The general public doesnt necessarily see a sleep disorder as life-altering, but, as you know, it can be.
Boy, do I know. Id had no intention of talking about this, but the man had already seen me in an episode, so there wasnt much to hide. You saw firsthand why I worry about traveling. My new job will involve much more of it.
And, Im guessing, youve even considered not taking it for that very reason.
I punched my fist into a thick crewel-embroidered pillow on my couch. Yes, unfortunately I have. But I cant put my life on hold any longer. I heard my voice crack. I just cant.
What makes it worse is that I feel intuitively that there is no help for me. It isnt just my biological clock thats ticking rapidly these days. I can see my entire life slipping away while I cocoon myself in cotton batting and protect myself from the world. And, considering what I do in my sleep, the world from me.
Nor should you have to.
David, I know what youre thinking but forget it. Ive tried. And now Ive quit trying. Its been an exercise in frustration, humiliation and disappointment. Ive learned to manage.
As long as you are in the confines of your own home and can make sure that nothing happens to you or anyone else in the night.
Without warning, a feeling of stark terror washed over me. I could give up the job. I could lock myself in the house. But what I couldnt do was let my sister down. Mickey could have separated the boys so that her child-care people could play one-on-one rather than be double-teamed, but for two months or more? What kind of trauma would that cause not only for the boys but for their parents?
What just happened? David asked softly. Your expression looked like youd just seen a ghostor a monster.
I suppose I did, I admitted reluctantly. I saw myself trying to care for my nephews alone for two or three months. I straightened, metaphorically stiffening my spine. I guess it just means that I hire someone to stay with me at night and babysit for the three of us. My friend Darla will help me out, Im sure.
Or you could get help and do it alone.
I held up a hand in protest. Havent you heard me?
I have. All Im saying is that Im here if you need me.
I stared at his handsome, troubled face.
Oh, David, if you only knew how much Ive wished some man would say that to me! But it has to be about me, not the curious disorder that makes me feel like a side-show freak.
Our conversation dwindled and died after that and soon David stood up.
Thanks for everything. I had a great time.
Slumming, you mean?
Visiting a house of unique adventures and wondrous delights, he
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