Bloody harbingers of a mounting struggle taking place inside of me.
-- Suleika Jaouad (chapter 1)

Importance: At the start of the memoir, Suleika describes the first symptoms of her illness. Her ailments begin with an itch. Because she cannot control or alleviate the itch, she scratches, and soon her skin is covered in wounds and scabs. Though she refuses to pursue medical attention for the issue, Suleika has a sense that the itch is an omen of something much worse in her future. This line converges Suleika's past, present, and future perspectives on her illness. She employs her retrospective voice in this moment in order to nuance the narrative tension, and propel her story forward.

With Will, it was different.
-- Suleika Jaouad (chapter 3)

Importance: As Suleika's relationship with Will becomes more serious, she begins to reflect upon her past relationships. In Chapter 3, "Eggshells," Suleika admits that up until her relationship with Will, she has never been single for more...