This is very difficult for me to talk about. I miss my brother (my best friend). It was the morning before my daughter's gaduation party. My brother was going to come over that day and we were going to grill chicken on the grill for my daughter's party. He lived at my parents home. I called over to their house to ask a question. They said Jeff wasn't up yet. They would always use a broom handel and tap the ceiling to wake him up. They tried it 3 times and he never responded. My Dad went upstairs to his room and Jeff was dead. I was on the phone when my Dad came down to tell my Mom to call 911. I got off of the phone and was on my way over to their house crying and in disbelief!! By the time the paramedics got there, they figured he had been gone about 5 hours. He had stayed overnight at our home a few times and stayed in the extra bed in my son's room. My son realized that Jeff had stopped breathing during the night and had told him about it. Jeff had plans to have it checked out. He was also going through the process to have bariatric surgery to lose weight. He didn't make it to the bariatric surgery. Sleep Apnea is VERY SERIOUS!! Years before this happened to my brother, my husband was diagnosed and has been on a c-pap machine ever since. I thank God that he was diagnosed and treated in time!! I have heard that sleep apnea can run in familes. My Mom has it. My brother died from it. I went to get checked. I have it also. I was shocked!! I went through about 5 masks before I found one that I could be comfortable enough sleeping with. If you struggle with your mask and the comfort of it, don't give up!! Remember that not wearing a mask could mean losing your life. All it takes is to stop breathing and not starting back up 1 time and you perish from this earth. Please help bring awareness to those you love.

Patty