Some Random Things

There is nothing new right now on the medical front. My nose is continuing to heal. I need to make some calls to try and find a new sleep doctor. I see my dietitian on Friday.
I have been increasing my workouts at the gym because the scale has not moved in almost a month now. As a result, I am hungrier all afternoon and evening. I eat a good snack and dinner. I have added more protein to my bedtime snack. All in hopes of curbing the hunger.
My sleep machine and mask are working well. Most nights I only have to get up once to make a pit stop. About half the time it takes me a long time to get back to sleep. Some nights I never get back to sleep after that. But overall, I am sleeping better. I still do not feel really rested, but maybe with more time that will come.
Hubby was in TN this past weekend. He wanted me to go, but I just did not feel up to it. As it turns out, I think that was a good thing. He went to see our friends in Crossville. When we saw them last month Bob was in a nursing home. This time, he had just been taken to the ER at the hospital. John did get to visit him there. He also saw some of the tornado damage in Murfreesboro.
Several have asked about my thoughts on AI and DWTS. SO here goes.
AI: Danny is by far my favorite. Adam is a good singer, but has an unfair advantage as he has been on Broadway and recorded already, and his style is not what I like to listen to. At first Lil was a favorite, but until this past week, her song choices did not showcase her talent. I began to wonder if she just does not have what it takes. This past week I thought she did much better.
Matt is all over the place - good week, bad week. I was surprised he got the save. Anoop has been pretty good most weeks, but seems too aloof and too sold on himself. Alison can sing, but not my style. Kris is another one who is inconsistent. Good week, bad week.
Danny's voice and style appeal to me. If you listen to the songs on my IPOD you will find a majority of the artists have his kind of soulful, gravely voice - Marsh Hall, Regi Stone, Jeremy Camp, Cris Tomlin, Phil Driscoll, Joe Cocker etc. He brought me to tears this past week at the end when he looked up - I imagined him thinking of his wife. He brings a passion and emotional quality to each song. To me he is the real deal.
DWTS: Although I have liked Lacey ever since she appeared on SO You Think You Can Dance, Her partner Steve-O needed to go.
My overall complaint about the show is the female professionals (with one exception, Cheryl) are too concerned with showing themselves and their bodies off (in those skimpy outfits) and do not make their partners look good. Cheryl is the outstanding exception. She is a phenomenal dancer and choreographer. Yet each week she showcases her partner. She has done this every season and continues to do so with Giles. They are definitely my pick this year.
Shawn and Mark are adorable and do well together. Kim and Derek are fun to watch. He is a fantastic dancer and choreographer. Tony and Melissa are good most weeks. Ty tries hard, but is a stiff dancer. Lawrence is so easily discouraged and his partner outshines him too much. It emphasizes his weaknesses. Julianne and Chuck do not move me. In the past she has wowed me with her choreography. This year there is too mach dating drama.
So there you have it. My random thoughts.

Long Lost Blog

(Excerpt from Long Lost by Harlan Coben (c) 2009 Dutton)
"I...called my parents...
'Mom, it's me.'
'Hello, darling.' Mom sounded tired. 'I'm just back from the doctor.'
'Are you okay?'
'You can read about it in my blog tonight,' Mom said.
'Hold on, you just got back from the doctor, right?'
Mom sighed. 'I just said that didn't I?'
'Right, so I am asking about your health.'
'That's going to be my blog topic. If you want to know more, read it.'
'You won't tell me?'
'Don't take it personally, sweetie. This way I don't have to repeat myself when someone else asks.'
'So you blog about it instead?'
'It increases traffic to my site. See, now you're interested, am I right? So I'll get more hits.'
My mother, ladies and gentlemen.
'I didn't even know you had a blog.'
'Oh sure, I'm very now, very today, very hip. I'm on MyFace too.'
I heard my father in the background shout out, 'It's called My Space.'
'I thought it was MyFace.'
'That's Facebook. You have one of those, too. And My SPace.'
'Are you sure?'
Yes, I'm sure.'
'Listen to Mr. Billy Gates back there. Knows everything about the internet all of a sudden.'
'And your mother is fine,' Dad yelled out.
'Don't tell him,' she whined. 'Now he won't click my blog.' "

I hope you are thinking, "Gee that sounds just like Ruthie." When I read it to my hubby and my two sons they both laughed and said it sure sounded familiar.
I started writing this blog several months ago, at my hubby's suggestion, to keep people updated on my various health concerns. Sometimes it is hard to have to report disappointing news over and over to each individual. Writing in a blog format informs everyone at once. I offended some people when they would ask how am I, by asking them to read my blog. They have never since asked about my health.
My daughter's favorite author is Harlan Coben. She has read all of his books and passed many on to me, so I have read most of them also. He is a mystery writer from NJ. By going to many of his book signings, she has gotten to know Mr. Coben. They are friends on the internet social sites.
One day while interacting with him, she mentioned something about reading her mother's (my) blog. He was very interested in her mother having a blog and asked more about it. He told her he would use that in his new book - that the main character's mother would have a blog like me.
Having read the book, she was so excited about the blog section. She sent me the advance copy of the book to read. I agree, (don't you?) that he has captured the essence of me and my blog.
How fun to know I was the inspiration for this little part of his newest book. Thank you Mr. Coben. I hope everyone will go out and read not only this book but all of your books!

THe Mask

A few years ago, Jim Carrey starred in a movie called "The Mask". Whenever he put on this green mask, he was transformed into this wild and crazy character.
Today I feel a little like Jim Carrey in that movie.
As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I have been having a difficult time with my sleep mask. The one I was using gave me a terrible pressure wound on my nose and I had to discontinue using it, which means I also could not use my sleep machine. Although a new mask had been ordered several times, for over two weeks I could not use my machine. This means I was not sleeping well. This also means I was in a life threatening situation, as I stop breathing too often when I sleep, and my brain does not get the oxygen it needs.
Yesterday I got help. A friend, who also has severe sleep apnea, as well as deals with insurance companies as part of her job, called offering not only advice, but real help. She put me in contact with her medical supplier.
After speaking with him, he took over. He made all of the phone calls, got the prescription from the doctor, filed all of the paperwork with the insurance. By 3:00 I was on my way to picking up my new sleep mask. He fitted me for the mask and adjusted it while I was wearing it.
IN the process, he asked about what machine I was using. I told him about my "new" machine I got in March - how I was the first client of the other company to get the machine and they had only been trained to use it the day before it was delivered to me.
He questioned me further about what did it look like. I was shocked to find out what I have is an "old" model of the machine. He showed me the new model (which he uses). It is so much better - lighter weight, better humidifier set up, a panel covers the lighted display. He did not pressure me at all, but explained that these machines are rented from the supply company and that if I wanted to I could return the "old" machine and get the new one from his company. Believe me, I want to do that. He certainly came through for me when I needed it. The way the other company has deceived me and give me such terrible service, I certainly have no reason to stay with them.
My only decision is when to make the switch. I will see the new sleep doctor at the end of April. I am thinking I should wait until I find out what his treatment plan is, before making a switch. I am just not sure yet.
When I got home from picking up the mask, I had a message from the other company wanting to set up an appointment to bring me the mask. Hubby returned the call, leaving a message that the order was cancelled. She called back with a message saying she needed to speak with us as she had no cancellation order. Yeah, now they can be in constant contact. But when I needed them they were nowhere to be found.
At bedtime last night, I was not sure how I would adjust to the new mask. My other two masks were over the nose, full face masks. This one has nasal pillows that fit into my nose holes and then a mouth piece. I figured I had not slept well in so long, I could probably tolerate just about anything in order to sleep.
I was right. The mask fit well, not too tight. The nose pillows were not uncomfortable. With a few minor adjustments of the straps, the mask kept the seal all night. It took a while to get used to breathing with the new mask - but it was gentle and quiet. I actually slept until 6 am when I had to get up for a pit stop (usually I am up 2 or 3 times during the night). I know it will take a while to actually get over the tiredness, but I feel so much better today.
Here is me with the new mask: