Umm, I might have inadvertently uncovered a major mystery several weeks ago. I’m not kidding.
On Friday October 28, 2022 something very special happened to me. I’d call it a catharsis. I allowed myself a tiny smidgen of self forgiveness after receiving good news. I didn’t mean to but it happened.
And then I got slammed by a wall of deep sobs and great tears of joy: weeping over all I’ve been through over the past 8 years and that I’ve survived it against all odds. The sobbing was so powerful it scared my dog, Juno The Adorable, who barked loudly to snap me out of the close-to-insanity state. “I’ve got this”, I reassured her and Dad. I meant it. (I’ve still got it by the way, lol)
Simultaneously, another important catalyst was at-play. I had been researching something* earlier that week because I was wondering if my own, unusual nighttime experiences that had affected me over my childhood could be related to that condition. (*I’m not ready to name that diagnosis just yet.)
Unusually, on Sunday October 30th, 2022, when I sat down to write in earnest about these experiences, I suddenly remembered a whole lot more detail. It appears my memories of the events were suddenly unlocked post-catharsis and now available to explore and relive. It was all shocking. More sobs ensued. Juno continued to bark at me. 🐾
There are so many sides to this story. An important one is that I am a medical doctor with over 10 years experience working in the emergency department. I also have two years research and medical writing experience from my days at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. It just so happens the field of study was in Pathology, the study of disease and its mechanisms.
So after recalling the traumatic childhood events, “Doctor Me” interviewed “7-year-old Me” and did what he was trained to do: take a medical history (write down the story) and come up with possible causes (a differential diagnosis, or short list).
What followed was breath taking and simply incredible. More on this later.
Although it’s too much to write here, I will say, “Diaphragmatic Spasm” needs to be investigated further. STAT. It might explain some serious medical mysteries affecting us Homo sapiens right from our very beginnings. Just some light talk eh? Incredible.
I have shared my story and the short list of possible diagnoses with appropriate authorities worldwide. However, for now I need to take care of myself first so I don’t melt into a puddle of goo if my proposed mechanisms of this disease are scientifically validated. If so, it’s going to be almost overwhelming. Thankfully I have the Tools of Recovery to help me cope (talking about it, journalling, eating as best as I can, getting proper rest, making time for exercise and fun, etc.).
So that’s it for now. I had to get it off my chest by launching this amazing story into the world. Can’t wait to see what happens. Stay tuned.
My name is Dov by the way ✡️. You can learn more about me here. That story is outdated now but keep in mind I continue to remain in healthy long term recovery from opioid addiction (Percocet and fentanyl).