Posted by Hal (206.15.149.2) on July 13, 1999 at 14:30:53:
In Reply to: Don't even sleep in the same room. posted by Michael on July 13, 1999 at 13:26:29:
I agree with Michael. I avoid being around my wife when The Demon attacks. There’s nothing that she can really do to help me. When she tries to help, it makes me feel like a wuss, as though she thinks that I’m not man enough to tough it out by myself. When she just sits and watches me freaking out from the agony, with tears in her eyes, knowing how bad that it makes her feel not to be able to help me is more than I want to have to take on top of the pain. So, if I’m attacked at night, I’m out of the bed like a shot and into the living room. If I’m attacked during the day, I take the opposite route: out of the living room and into the bedroom. Like Michael, I don’t want anyone talking to me and I just can’t stand to be asked well-meant but stupid questions like, “Are you all right?” (Do I look like I’m all right?!) and, “What can I do to help?” (Not a damned thing but to leave me the fuck alone!). I’m fortunate in that my dear wife understands this and pretends that what she calls a “groaner” is not happening. After it’s over, THEN it’s okay for her to talk to me and to say things like, “Wow, that must have been a bad one!” and I can appreciate her love and concern.