Random thoughts

Wow, it seems we all have so mu*****ommon!!  I am personally trying to deal with all head games in my life.

Thank you Peach, and every one else who commented!  

Random thoughts are a great way of unloading a heavy burden.

This is a great forum to do so.  I have become somewhat addicted and find myself looking throughout the day.

Love the questions, feedback & positive support...

Sleep Apnea is such a serious condition.  I had a TAH due to stage (4) endometriosis back in 2011.  I discovered the hard way that I had it. 8 hours in recovery room and difficulty oxygenating me  raised a lot of red flags.  I had the formal testing 6 months later and was told I have severe obstructive sleep apnea.

It was a very difficult journey to find treatment that worked for me. CPAP did not work for me.  After 3 months of non compliance and pulling off the mask, my specialist switched me to BIPAP.

The main difference between BiPAP and CPAP machines is that BiPAP machines have two pressure settings: the prescribed pressure for inhalation and a lower pressure for exhalation (The dual settings allow the patient to get more air in and out of their lungs.  One of the complaints about CPAP devices is that some patients find the constant singular pressure difficult to exhale against. For patients with higher pressure strengths, exhaling against the incoming air can feel difficult, as if they're having to force the air out.

I wear a mask that covers my nose.  I am not going to lie.  I wish that I didn't have to.  I find that I have to readjust straps occasionally during the night. The switch to BIPAP was successful.  Slept 5 hours with the mask on that first night. Now, I can not sleep without it.  

I recently had tendon(s) repaired in my ankle.  They monitored me in ICU overnight as the "step down unit" was full.  At some point during the night, I pulled the mask off. Moments  later the alarms were sounding, my oxygenation plummeted to 78% and my heart rate and blood pressure were soaring.

I couldn't believe how quickly that happened.  I always knew the BIPAP has saved my life, this reminder while in hospital confirmed that.  I am a quiet sleeper and now find that I can have a better restorative sleep.

Sleep Anea is a very serious condition.

Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. ... Obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk of recurrent heart attack, and abnormal heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation. Obstructive sleep apnea also increases the risk of stroke.

If that doesn't scare him into compliance, I  am not sure what will.

Hope this helps... 

Mahalo

nagging doesn't work for anyone. 

OTOH, my DH decisions directly affect me and my life. I will and do make decisions for MY life depending on the ones he makes for his life. 

Wake up next to a corpse? Not me. I will find him sometime later dead, because we won't be sleeping in the same room.

guess I am a bad wife of 44 years.

I am struggling with my 20 year old daughter in a similar way.  She is built nearly the same as I was before surgery.  Since I have lost weight she has struggled with feeling jealous and resenting me.  She and I talk heart to heart and it isn't causing a divide, it is just hard for her.  She says "Mom you used to be this strong big woman who was proud and confident. I feel like I lost my idol."  It is hard for us both. But... she asked about getting RNY herself and I told her I would fight through the gates of Hades to make that happen for her if she decides she wants it. She said she would start working on the "attempt to lose weight other ways" part of the process.  She has not been sticking to it and still is feeling jealous. It sucks. I want to tell her to commit to change and getting healthy...but I know better than most that sort of 'advice' is heard as criticism of failure when you are the one receiving it. I know I have to simply let her take her own journey but my only regret with RNY is that I waited until I was 43 to escape obesity. I want so much for her to find her way out sooner.

~E

I am sorry you feel this way. I will say hold your head high and know you worked hard to make the decision on having WLS. We can not control everyone else. I know we wish we could.