Back at October
The month began as planned with a three-day weekend, ending with Kim and I having our neighbor over for a Drunk History binge-watch/drinkalong. The month continued on track as I participated in Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon on Saturday, Oct. 20. I finished three and a quarter books in about eight hours:
- She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper
- American Street by Ibi Zoboi
- Normandy Gold by Megan Abbott, Alison Gaylin and Steve Scott (illustrator)
- Inspector Singh Investigates: A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint (maybe I’ll finish before the end of the month)
But then after the month had been on track…
…although not quite that bad, as I believe, in the long run as a result, I’ll be back on track, but a different track.
The short(ened) version is this:
- This past Monday night I did a home sleep study.
- Tuesday morning I learned I have severe sleep apnea. I was set up for a hospital sleep study Wednesday night.
- Tuesday afternoon I was called by the sleep lab at the hospital that they wanted me to get a CPAP machine the next day even before my sleep study. The medical supply store in our town only has a person from a neighboring town come to our town’s store once a week for CPAP fittings. That day is Wednesday, and the sleep lab didn’t want me to wait until this coming Wednesday for a machine since my sleep apnea was so severe.
- Wednesday afternoon I got a machine and a mask.
- Wednesday night I had the sleep study.
- Thursday I came home with the machine and started using it that night.
My wife was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation last August and as part of her treatment, she was put on a CPAP machine which has helped her immensely. Since then, she has kept telling me that I have sleep apnea and that I should be on a CPAP. Obviously she was right. I now look forward to getting the help I need. Or perhaps I am being rerouted, as Deb mentioned in the comments (after I posted this initially):
“Actually, you were on the way to a train crash and now, with your new machine, you have been rerouted.”
Speaking of forward…
Forward to November
Unlike the last few months, my month doesn’t begin with a long weekend. However, it does end with a long weekend as I have off extra for Thanksgiving from Wednesday, Nov. 21, to Sunday, Nov. 25. Friday, Nov. 23 also happens to be our 22nd wedding anniversary. While my wife Kim isn’t off that day, she does work midnight shift so later in the day we will be able to go to dinner (of course, it also happens to fall on Black Friday, but we live in a small town so I don’t know how much that will really affect our plans).
Other than that, the focus (obviously) will be getting good, restful sleep. The long-term plan is also to lose weight, which I have gained considerably within the last couple of years. But to do that, I need the energy to be able to exercise. As for my diet, well…that’s a whole other thing, but I’ll also be working on that too. I will say, though, it’s not my wife’s home-cooked food that is the problem. It’s food (and drink) that I get on my own otherwise.
I’ll leave you with the song that has been in my head for the last few months and now it can be in yours too:
So how was your month of October? Read any good books, seen any good movies and/or TV shows, listened to any good music? What was the highlight of your month? What are you looking forward to in November? Share in the comments.
Still an unfinished person... 
I think it’s good that you got the CPAP and that your doctor realized the severity of the diagnosis and got you into a study so quickly. As usual, I am always impressed with your planning. It’s admirable how you try to plan out your month. I am a good planner in that I am on top of appointments but the fun stuff doesn’t get worked in, nearly enough.
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It doesn’t always work out so well.
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I hope you get your sleep apnea worked out soon. I’ve heard it can do wonders for making you feel more alert during the day. I wish my mom would get a sleep study done, because I think it would really help her mental health.
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And physical too. 🙂
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I am so happy you were able to get help and already notice a difference in your energy levels with your new machine. It is a bit scary how quickly one diagnosis can change your life, but hopefully, it changes for the better health-wise.
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Sleep is SO crucial to weight loss (and not gaining!). I know insomnia is one of the big reasons I struggle. It’s also why back in 2011 my weight loss journey slowed to a trickle and took another 18 months to lose the last 30 lbs to get me to be at the bottom of the overweight line. It was ridiculous. I’ve done a sleep study though, and they don’t think I have apnea (not enough to warrant an in-lab study, at least), and they were supposed to get me an APAP machine but that never happened. Sigh.
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I would follow up. I know that already in the last few days, I feel better and my numbers (of events) per hour are down.
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I’m so glad doctors were able to diagnose your sleep apnea and give you a CPAP machine. Is it going to take awhile for you to start feeling more rested or are you starting to feel better now?
I’ve only read two books this month, The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro and The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. Both were audio books but enjoyable.
Take care of yourself. Happy Anniversary to you and Kim.
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Already feeling better. Had 87 events per hour. Down to 4 already!
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That’s amazing!
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Yes, but I think also how much I needed it.
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I was going to say what Deb already said. You definitely prevented a train derailment!
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Proper sleep is so connected to all aspects of life. I think my husband suffers from sleep-apnea, yet the last time he completed a sleep study (about five years ago) he fell just under the magic number to qualify for a CPAP machine. He is also wanting to work on weight, but a change of diet is not having the desired effect. I think you’re right … he is too tired from lack of sleep which depletes his energy which decreases an ability to include active movement throughout the day.
I’m so glad you discovered the problem – and a viable solution. I’m excited to hear how you feel at the end of November.
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Perhaps he should take another study. I’m sure, from my own experience, that it doesn’t get any better on its own. Hope he can find the help, and rest, he needs.
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Actually, you were on the way to a train crash and now, with your new machine, you have been rerouted.
At least that’s one way to look at it.
And just because you haven’t been reading doesn’t mean that you aren’t moving along down the road. I can’t believe I’m saying this but here goes: Life is not all about reading.
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Ah, better analogy, Deb, and right on…well…track.
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