First Night on the CPAP
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Well, friends, I had my doctor's appointment today and got my sleep lab report and my CPAP machine, so tonight is the big night.
Believe it or not, my sleep study showed that I stopped breathing 168 times in one night---anywhere from 24 to 60 times per hour! My oxygen levels were in the 70's and they are supposed to be in the 90's. No wonder I'm always tired! I believe that God's grace has once again intervened and my surgery was a blessing in disguise. I never would have agreed to the sleep study, except for the problem with coming out of the anesthesia. (God knows how stubborn I am.) My poor husband has been trying to tell me for nearly two years that I have sleep apnea, but I just dismissed the whole idea. (Which is not too smart, considering that my dad had it most of his life and my sister has it, too.) I had myself convinced that I could not possibly stop breathing without realizing it. WRONG!
I have reached the point where I am actually looking forward to using the machine--just the thought of a good night's sleep makes me giddy! I know that it will take some time to get used to it, but I'm making a commitment to stick with it. It's the first step in getting healthier. Finally getting some sleep should ease my stress level so I can start eating better again, then rehab for the vertigo, and then hopefully I can exercise again! I'm excited about the future for the first time in two years!
Thank you for your support and prayers, my friends. With God's help, I am going to slowly make some changes toward becoming healthy again. He has brought me a long, long way in the last few months, and I can't wait to see what He has in store for me when I'm healthy!
God bless every one of you!
Marlene