bodies

1. This morning was the second morning running I had to divert from breakfast etc to wash blood out of bedlinen. It has been A While since this was last an issue; I can but assume it's something about sitting-up-in-bed-to-have-hair-brushed (as distinct from "remain horizontal until going directly to the bathroom") that's the problem, which is Somewhat Frustrating.

2. I am reading a book on psychosomatic illness, by Suzanne O'Sullivan, that I think I was pointed at by Gavin Francis' Adventures in Human Being (though it might have been Recovery, which I finished the day I borrowed the latter; I placed the hold on It's All in Your Head that same day). It is careful and nuanced and interesting and talks frankly about her own fallibility; it's prompting a lot of thinking about my own illnesses; it's a fascinating sideways insight into culture around psychosomatic illness and patient complaints at the NHNN, which is where my headache clinic is; and also I am developing a cold sore, which only happens when I am feeling Particularly Stressed, which suggests that I am finding the whole experience Somewhat Stressful. (I'd say it seems a little on the nose, but it's not, it's in the corner of my mouth.) (One has to laugh.)