More Than My Life

"Now, tell me what's going on," Dr. Yee urged her to talk as she and Hayri sat opposite her in her wooden desk.

"I am into lots of stress lately, doc, and these deprived me of sleep."

"Go ahead," Dr. Yee nodded as she gazed at Allie intently.

"Lately, I have stomach discomfort which I self-medicated with antacids. Just this morning, after I woke up from a short sleep, I felt a sense of lightheadedness. I staggered when I walk but I just ignored it until the feeling worsened and I really felt dizzy that I threw up."

"Your lack of sleep can explain your lightheadedness but which symptom took place first? Your dizziness or your urge to throw up?"

Allie paused to think. Her vomiting did not follow after her dizziness and it was the smell of the food which triggered it.

"It was not closely connected, doc."

"What do you mean?"

"I was already feeling dizzy but the smell of food worsened it."

Dr. Yee nodded and a light smile broke into her face. "Have you experienced this before?"