After being in the hospital for just over ten days, Cate was more than anxious to leave. She longed to be back in her own flat, sleeping in her own bed and eating more edible food. The first thing she planned to do when she got home was to take a long, hot shower and …
Sjögren’s syndrome
In 2011, tennis star Venus Williams was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome, a long-term autoimmune disease in which the moisture-producing glands of the body are affected. This results primarily in the development of a dry mouth and dry eyes. Other symptoms can include dry skin, a chronic cough, vaginal dryness, numbness in the arms and legs, feeling tired, muscle and joint pains, and thyroid problems. Thankfully, Venus’ career did not come to an …
Nellie
I used to work with a very sweet lady named Nellie until she retired. After she left the company five years ago, we promised to keep in touch and we have. She lives with her son, Joash, a bachelor. I met him five years ago when I visited Nellie at his beach house. He was …
Gina’s Options
"What were the results of the ultrasound, Doctor?" Gina asked. She had called the office two days ago because she noticed that It’s there she was having a brownish discharge and that she wasn't experiencing nausea and breast soreness anymore. Although she knew that all pregnancies were different, there was something radically different about this …
One-Sided
"I know that you married me for my money but, I didn't care because I loved and wanted you so desperately. I still do. I know that you don't love me and you probably never will." "You're mistaken, you know," he said quietly. "I do love you." "You may love me in your own special …
Bailey’s Story
“I want to think of your mania and depression as merely monsters which will go away when you take your medication.” “I hate taking the medication,” she complained. “Why do you hate taking it, Bailey?” “Taking it means that I’m not right in the head.” “I don’t want you to look at like that. Just …
Braelynn’s Dream
"I just dreamt about you," she said. "What was the dream about?" he asked. A worried expression came over her face. "I dreamt that you left me for Corinna." He touched her face reassuringly. "It was just a bad dream, Honey." "But it seemed so real." "It was just a bad dream. You know I …
The Aftermath
It's a Saturday afternoon and I'm sitting in my apartment, feeling awful--really down because Bobby's mother got very upset with me. She wanted nothing more to do with me because I had told her that her son who was like a little brother to me wouldn't go to Heaven because he had committed suicide. The …
Amos’ Story
People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes - Sheila McKechnie My name is Amos. I became homeless because an untreated bipolar disorder. I lost my job and ended up on the streets. I was afraid to go to a shelter because I heard so many stories of how dangerous …
Severe Morning Sickness
When I was pregnant, I didn't experience any morning sickness. I have heard of some women who experience it with the one pregnancy but not the other. Some, like Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, however, suffer from severe morning sickness known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum. What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum? It literally means "excessive vomiting in pregnancy". …
Notes to Women 