Unnizone

My doc phoned me today and I am on a hundred percent sick leave till December 10th.  At 5pm I had a hospital appointment. Another neurologist, this one a specialist in sleep disorders.  She had analyzed the data from the device I wore for a week, and told me it said the same as what I say: I sleep long and well, but am still very sleepy throughout the day. She said she felt sorry for me and that it had to be difficult to be so sleepy all the time. She also said she felt so certain about the diagnosis idiopathic hypersomnia that if it had been up to her, she would have sent me home with meds. According to her, the meds are effective and will give me a quite different life.  However, the medicine is so expensive that the state will pay for them in their entirety, and then the state also has a set of obligatory tests that you have go through first. Also, she said, it is important to completely rule out a potentially deadly diagnosis. I am just really happy that the data from my brain can confirm this foggy state, and that I am in a system that works to find out what this is. 

Love it when that happens!

Finished the audio book "Piranesi". Loved it!  Written by Susanna Clarke, who also wrote "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell".  I read that one as well, many years ago. I liked it, but it could have lost about a hundred pages and gone for a more well shaped narrative. The TV-series based on the book, however, was absolutely brilliant. Anyway, this audio book was fantastic!  The reader had a wonderful voice and the story was insightful, beautiful and gave food for thought.

When Aro needs to go, he needs to go. He starts by coming in to the bedroom,sighing. If nothing happens, he will silently growl, then more loudly. And if that does not do the trick, the merciless snout comes. I swear he has enough strength in that nose to move a boulder.  So, out before the sun rose. But it slowly came over the horizon before we were home. Walked for an hour at which time my hands were white, blue and aching. Not too fond of the winter cold.

Bjørn took Aro this morning, so I got about 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Though I have been a little sleepy throughout the day, I have managed to stay awake on energy drinks only. And I have managed to get a few things done. Not like the old me, but I am happy for everything I manage to do these days. Phoned my mum and talked with her for 45 minutes. Was reminded that my father lost his job when he fell asleep while operating heavy machinery.  And that for the last ten years of his life, he was pretty much just being asleep on the sofa. I have no doubt now that what was wrong with him, now is wrong with me. 

Bjørn went to Sweden to do a bit of shopping today.  Roads were icy and slippery, he said. Winters... aargh.

Went to work this morning. Managed to drive safely thanks to my friend caffeine. But apparently I looked as tired and sleepy as I felt. Had been at work for about an hour when I had been told by four co-workers that I looked too sick to be at work. Not sick, but indeed so sleepy that I hardly managed to stay on my feet. Got through one 90 minute lesson and one 45 minute lesson, but it was strenuous.

Had a doc's appointment. She put me on 100% sickleave for the next 14 days. While I was there I also got vaccinated for this year's flu and Covid.

Went back to work and did all I could to prepare for the people who will have to sub for me, feeling terribly guilty that I am failing my pupils.  Drove home, fell asleep.

Aro is not very popular today.  I was too sleepy to go to my appointment at the overweight clinic.  I wanted to try to get some fresh air and some daylight, so I took Aro for a walk. We had walked for one and a half hour when he took off and disappeared. The first time he has done that in the 7 years we have had him. And h did not come back. Eventually I just had to start walking back home. I sent a message to Bjørn telling him to get in the car and drive to where I was. Light was disappearing fast and I was insanely worried. My phone had no coverage, but I sent the message to Bjørn so that it could be sent as soon as I my phone was able to. I walked and worried, and eventually Bjørn got the message and told me he would come asap. Then I got another message, telling me the bloody dog had been right outside, and had come happily running when Bjørn had opened the door. Bjørn shuffled Aro inside,  came and got me and drove me home.

I deserved this this evening:

I'll soon be nearing lethal doses of caffeine, but still find it really hard to stay awake. Today has been another sleepy day. So much so that I have not been to work.