At first, it was tossing and turning. Then waking up stiff.
Then needing a nap after unloading the dishwasher.
Eventually, I wasn’t sleeping more than a couple hours at a time.
I’d wake up sore, burning, foggy—and so angry with my body.
It felt like I was getting punished for trying to rest.
It wasn’t just about being tired. My pain got worse. My mood went haywire.
I couldn’t remember words. Even the smallest tasks drained me.
One morning, I sat on the edge of my bed and just sobbed.
The tears came before I even stood up.
That’s when I realized…