I Need a Nap: And Other Tales of My So-Called Chronic Illness

Abstract

Abstract Part of the human condition is understanding that life goes wrong. Whether it's stepping on a piece of gum in a new pair of shoes or finding a lump in a breast, something will displace a person from a moment before—a state of day-to-day obliviousness—to the moment after—an event that renders every subsequent event altered. I Need a Nap and Other Tales of My So-Called Chronic Illness is a collection of personal essays about my journey through the world of chronic illness. I use humor to express the truth of living with pain. According to the CDC, six in ten adults have one chronic illness, and four in ten have two or more. Chronic illness is pervasive. It's ongoing. It's the kind of sick not typically cured with a pill or vaccine. The relentless nature of sustained poor health leaves many people feeling isolated. The sad truth is that many individuals living with chronic illness begin to wonder if the sickness is in their head. This easily accessible collection of stories was crafted to bring laughter and connection to those living in pain.