Dear Friends,
I finally received my CPAP machine a week ago. It seems like a long time in getting here and it has been months since my atrial fibrillation episode.
Perhaps I’m giving this machine too much credit but I have hopes it will solve many of my problems. I still have the very rare occasion of what I call my heart popping, which I know are PVC’s and my heart skips a beat. I’m hoping this machine will completely eliminate this. Of course I hope it eliminates my sleep apnea. It was recorded I would have 33 episodes an hour which seems insane to me. Normal is less than 5. After one week of use, each day it has recorded 2 or less episodes per hour! I’m hoping that with improved sleep my blood pressure will improve and that I will have improved weight loss because of having more energy during the day.
So speaking of weight loss. I’m exactly where I was when I started. I went on vacation for two weeks and it put me right back at ground zero. Sigh. Since Katie has moved back home she has literally twisted my arm to go to the gym. I’ve whined like a little child about going, but I’ve gone four times this past week. I’m not overdoing it because of fear of my heart, but I’m at least moving my body. I’m walking just under two miles on the treadmill at 3.5 miles an hour and doing a few strength exercises. Today at the gym I was lucky enough to see a full length side view of me. (not) It is down right disgusting and depressing. Why is it that I have wanted to lose weight for so long that I’m not willing to fight tooth and nail for it? I just don’t understand myself. I try. I keep on trying. I will not stop trying.
Today is a new day. Every minute is a new minute. Every minute is a chance to make a decision to move forward, or backward. Here is to moving forward with good health.
Wishing all of you the best of health today.
Nancy
be creative daily and live life beautifully
You go girl! I am so glad that you have your OSA treated! Yes! It will reduce your BP, stabilize your metabolism and will make it easier to lose weight! I am a Respiratory Therapist/Sleep Technologist. I don’t want to bore you but there is amazing breakthroughs in the research of sleep. Hang in there! P.S. Love to embroider too!
Thanks Sherry for the kind words. There is so much research about sleep and the importance of it. Seems like it is ranking right up there with diet, exercise, and stress reduction for improving our health. I’m a huge believer that a good night’s sleep is healing in a multitude of ways.
Hugs,
Nancy
Good luck to you! I have to go and get all the testing done again for a CPAP. I never got used to the mask and would wake up taking it off and be unable to stop myself. It’s been several years now so I hope there is one that’s more comfortable. Not to mention the cats were fascinated by the tubing and would chew on it – decreasing the O2 flow considerably. I am going to try covering the tubing with a pool noodle which worked well when they chewed on the ice maker water line! I will be thrilled when I am down to your weight again! It’s about 30 pounds away… BTW – love this cross stitch lower case alphabet quilt idea! Also enjoyed your video on hooping securely. Never occurred to me to try that athletic wrap stuff!
Oh those kitties. Rascals aren’t they sometimes! I would encourage you to try it again as I’ve found it easy to get used to. It took me a couple of masks to try but I found one that fits well and fits securely. As far as the pool noodle, I don’t think that would work, because you need the tubing to be flexible as you turn. I did see something somewhere where someone sewed a sleeve for their tubing. I don’t remember what it was, but I’m thinking it was flannel. Maybe a couple of thicknesses of flannel would keep cat teeth from cutting through the tubing?
And for the weight loss, we can do this!!!
Hugs and blessings,
Nancy
Oh Nancy! I can totally relate to every single word of this post! I too, need to lose weight and although I have a treadmill in my home, I tend to avoid it and spend my days online or sewing and embroidering. I don’t understand myself either. I weigh more now than I did when I was pregnant with my 3rd child. It literally makes me sick to see myself. Fortunately, I don’t have any full length mirrors in my home, but I know that I really need to get one so that I can be forced to see what I look like every day. After discussing my symptoms with my oncologist, he suggested that I get a C-pap, thinking that I have sleep apnea. I dread that! I hope that you are doing well and I will check back to see how you are doing with your weight loss journey. You may have just given me the push that I need by writing this article. Thank you and God bless you!
Nancy,
Good luck to you hun! I have used a CPAP for years & can’t sleep without mine now! Well, I can, but no one wants me to! lol But, you will so rested even after just 6 hours of sleep, it will feel like a whole 8.I even take naps with mine, 1 hr where it used to be 2 or longer & feel totally rested after just that one hour! I wish you Well!!!
Oh Dee Dee thanks so much for the encouraging words. I am already appreciating having it. I have so much more energy during the day it is amazing.
Hugs to you!
Nancy