List of causes of Ondine's curse. Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Ondine's curse) that could possibly cause Ondine's curse includes: Persons who have CCHS get it at birth, or develop it due to severe neurological trauma/damage to the brainstem.
In real life, Della (Barbara Hale) was married and Perry (Raymond Burr) was gay. So, no, they were not an item on the show or behind the scenes.
The story opens with $1.87. That's all Della Dillingham Young has to buy a present for her beloved husband, Jim. And the next day is Christmas. Faced with such a situation, Della promptly bursts into tears on the couch, which gives the narrator the opportunity to tell us a bit more about the situation of Jim and Della.