Made it over the last hurdle

Good morning everyone! Got home from my sleep test around 7:30 this morning. I found out that I have sleep apnea, and stoped breathing 20 times in one hour. I had no idea! Well, they had put the nose piece on and I sleep like a baby after that with no snoring. My tech let me sleep 45 minutes longer just because I was sleeping so good. So soon I will have my own machine to place next to my bed. I had my mammogram this past week and they found some abnormal calcifications not in my breast but really close to my chest wall. So now I have to go to a surgeon and have a deep biopsy done. I am not afraid. I will be ok. Pope John Paul II said "BE NOT AFRAID" I really believe that. So please pray for me on this one. I will be going to talk to the surgeon on 3-13-07 at Salem Hopsital. Sheryl P.S. any good ways to lose 25 lbs quickly? This is the amount I have to lose before surgery.

Sheryl - I wish you luck with your biopsy. I've been through three of them because of things that showed up on my mammograms and, luckily, I haven't had anything turn out badly. If your sleep study was your last hurdle, you will be very lucky. I had my sleep study quite a while ago and am still trying to get all my paperwork in to OHSU. I think some of the doctor's offices are really irresponsible at sending things in when you send in the forms. I'm going to have to make the rounds next week to collect lots of reports. Linda

First, Sheryl, I hope that your biopsy goes well. I had one also, and found that it was just a large benign fatty tumor. Secondly, I wanted to tell you that I also did the sleep apnea test and found I had it also. It's very surprising to find out that you stop breathing, isn't it? I didn't have a clue either, and I don't even snore - but apparently, that is not unusual for women not to snore. I just got my machine two days ago. I have a good attitude about it, and make sure that I use it even if I am just laying down for a nap. I want to adapt to it, and so I think I will. Mine has the humidifier, which helps to keep your nose and throat from drying out, which is nice. I don't mind the sound of the soft pumping noise, because I find it relaxing and I go to sleep quicker. I sleep better, but still often wake up - maybe 4 times a night...still the sleep is much better! I chose a lighter weight mask with a soft cushion like lining - but not the one with the gel. Also, it's very important that you have the elastic fitted correctly so it's not too tight or lose. So, good luck with the biopsy and using your CPAP machine!

I would like to thank you for your posts. I called where I had my sleep test yesterday, and they are still going over the results, and told me to call back next week. I reminded them I need the results faxed up to Portland as soon as possible. So I will check back. I didn't realized that you could get a machine with a humidifier, I wonder if I could get one. I will ask when the time comes. Soon I hope. Sheryl

Sheryl, I have had sleep apnea for over 7 years. My original machine was cumbersome and had a separate and equally large humidifier. Pain to take with your when you go anywhere, but necessary to take it. I originally tried it without the humidifier but my nose dried out and cracked and bled some so I got the humidifier. Last May I got a new machine, much smaller, quieter and with the small humidifier that is part of the unit. Much better to travel with and use. Try to get the one with the humidifier. Your physician has to order it for you insurance to pay. A lot of people don't need them, but a lot do. Julia