Military Ball

Catherine was invited by her boyfriend Nick Wheeler to the Jr-ROTC military ball back in late March. Here's one picture. I'll try to add more later.

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It's 3 PM and I'm not sleepy.

Normally I get a strong urge to take a nap about this time every afternoon. Today I'm not tired and have no desire to lay down. I didn't go to bed any earlier than usual last night, and I actually got up an hour earlier than usual. So I'm not more rested as a result of having slept any longer. I have to give the credit to finally getting my CPAP device and using it for the first time last night. I went to bed about midnight, and it took me quite a while then to fall asleep. I can remember waking several times during the night and being aware of the face mask. By all accounts I would have thought I got much less sleep than usual. But I guess the sleep I did get was of enough greater quality that it made a real difference.

Normally Terri gets up at 6 and I sleep in until 7. This morning I was awake before Terri's alarm went off, and got up to spend time with her and talk with her before she left for work. In my first sleep study on March 13 they determined that I stopped breathing an average of 68 times per hour, or once every 53 seconds. Since your brain has to wake you up to restart your breathing each time this happens, I can see how even just two of three hours of continuous sleep would be a huge improvement. I can't wait to see how much energy I might have when I get used to the mask and can sleep most of an 8 hour night.

New Studies Add to Evidence that CPAP Helps the Heart

John Smoltz's 3000th K

Terri, Catherine, Andre and I attended the Braves game with the Washington Nationals tonight. Usually when I go the Braves manage to lose, but I had high hopes for tonight. After all, Smoltz was pitching, he was due to break the 3,000 strikeout mark, and the Nationals have been winning about 1 game in 10. We were not disappointed in Smoltz. He pitched 7 innings giving up only one run and striking out 10. He became one of only 16 pitchers to ever break the 3,000 K mark, and he had 3,006 before he was taken out for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. But alas, he didn't get any run support and left the game down 1-0. The eighth inning relief did ok, but the Nationals ate our ninth inning relief for dinner, exploding with 5 more runs to make the final 6-0. When we left our seats to head for the parking lot it was 2-0, but the other 4 runs were added by the time we got in the car and turned on the radio.

All in all though, it was a fun night. I'm disappointed they didn't win, but watching Smoltz make history was worth the trip by itself. The tickets were given to us by a family in our church, Terry and Nancy Walden. Thanks Waldens!!

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Jonathon coming home in May

Saturday Jonathon made his travel arrangements to come home for a visit on Memorial Day weekend.



He will be arriving
Saturday afternoon May 24 around 3:00



He will return to Ft Huachuca on
Tuesday May 27.

My Sleep Study

Are you at risk for Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea Puts People at Risk for Heart Trouble while Flying

This past Sunday night I went to my second sleep study. I've known for many years that I have sleep apnea. I've been a heavy snorer at least since my college days, and I am almost always sleepy in the afternoons. But for the longest time I didn't want to do anything about it. Terri has become accustomed to my snoring and says it doesn't generally interfere with her sleep. I have learned to deal with the tiredness, primarily by treating myself with caffeine. I just didn't want to endure the expense of the study and the ensuing treatments.

But as I've entered my mid forties I'm starting to think a lot more in terms of preventive health care. I've learned that sleep apnea doesn't just leave you tired, but it also puts a strain on your heart that can take a great toll over the years. In my first study last month it was determined that I stopped breathing 68 times each hour. Additionally there are many episodes where my airway is partially blocked, and even though I don't stop breathing, because limited air is getting to my lungs, my oxygen levels drop to levels that strain my heart even though I am breathing.

I first went to my family practitioner in February and told them I suspected I had sleep apnea. They referred me to the sleep clinic located near Henry Medical Center in Stockbridge, GA, but it was nearly a month before they could get me in for my first study. I went on a Thursday night, arriving at 8 pm. After being wired and strapped up I went to bed and spent one of the most miserable nights I could remember in a long time. I roll over a lot at night, and it's almost impossible to do so in your sleep with wires attached to your feet, your hands, your chest and your head. There was one sensor that was taped to my nostrils. On the rare occasions that I could fall asleep, the technician would need to come in and adjust some wire that wasn't picking up right. My mouth became very dry during the night from my snoring. Although that sometimes happens at home, it is not a usual occurrence.

The study was over about 5:30 AM. The technician came in and woke me up. I asked her what would happen next. She said that after the doctor reviewed the test they would call me and let me know whether I tested positive. I never had any doubt about that. I've caught myself waking up gasping for air enough times to know. I just needed an official diagnosis in order to begin treatment.

About a week after the study I got a call from the clinic confirming my self-diagnosis. We set an appointment for me to come back for a second night. On the second night the study is done wearing a CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) mask. Once again leads are attached all over my head, chest, hands and feet. But since I'll be wearing the mask this time, no annoying sensors on my nose. When I told the technician what a miserable night I had during the first study, I was offered a sedative. She brought me an ambien and a bottle of water. It still took me about an hour and a half to fall asleep, even with the medicine, but once I fell asleep I slept much better. I occasionally woke up to roll over, but unlike the first night, I easily went back to sleep. I'm sure part of my improved sleep was from the medicine, but I have to give the CPAP a lot of the credit also.

I'm told the next step is that a home health provider will call me and make an appointment to bring a CPAP machine to my house and show me how to use it. My only frustration is that I have to wait a couple more weeks. I first went to the doctor about this in February. I had to wait until mid March for the first study, mid April for the second, and now it looks like it could be early May before I have a CPAP in my home. That seems like a lot of time to get treatment for what I am told can be a fairly serious condition. I'd like to see the process streamlined so that patients can get from complaint to treatment in less than 3 months.

If you know you are a heavy snorer, wake up tired, wake up with a dry mouth or headaches, or have trouble staying awake during the day I strongly encourage you to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.