The past ninety six hours may have changed the rest of my life. However during this time I moved from disappointment to a sense of achievement and hope to the reality of what is required of me on a day to day basis, potentially for the rest of my life. It is a sobering challenge but did not prevent from enjoying the Thames River pageant, the great concert other programmes to mark 60 years of one person occupying the role of a constructional head of state. More about the Diamond Jubilee and its implications in separate writing.
On Friday July 1st 2012 I had a one o’clock appointment to attend a group presentation followed by personal fitting of a mask and device to treat Sleep Apnea at a regional hospital specialising in the condition. Although I had plenty of time to plan my journey I set off about half an hour later than intended and stopped at the Asda supermarket on my way our of town to purchase a sandwich but the queue at the counter was ginormous. If I had thought more carefully I would have grabbed the sandwich and taken it to a few items self service till. I did not think of this and decided to bank on there being a coffee shop outlet at the outpatients,
I was anxious about the getting to the hospital in good time arising from uncertainty over car parking and then had the excellent thought to go through the Tyne Tunnel and on to the coast road approaching the hospital from then east rather than go into the city and then travel north east. I had not used the tunnel toll payment disk since attending the opera performance at the Silverlink Odeon so there were several journeys available and it worked a treat with the advantage of a dual carriage way and clearly marked signs for all three Newcastle hospital that are off the carriage way.
The hospital is located at the north end of Jesmond Dene and chine and there were car parking spaces, not a great number, available in the second open air space so I did not need to find the multi story which also boasted space availability. The reception is that of a traditional NHS hospital with a Women’s Voluntary Service self service coffee shop close to the main entrance and reception. I purchased a salmon and cucumber sandwich and a very hot cup of good coffee for £3.95. I could have had a chicken sandwich packet of crisps and cold drink for £3.50.
It was only on reaching the well sign posted clinic C with Clinic D opposite that uncertainty occurred as there was no one at any reception desk but a small gathering which I quickly worked out were looking at a screen waiting for their turn to seen at a “Wayfrin” sounding name Clinic having taken a numbered ticket from a machine similar to those used at the Morrison’s deli counter at Seaburn. So I paced about read the notices and eventually asked a staff member at the entrance to clinic D who advised just to sit and way in the designated area,
Almost at the appointed hour I spotted a tall man in his later forties/ fifties arrive listening to music on his i phone look as I had done for reception and then pace about and then ask the same staff member as I had done who advised similarly although in this instance the gentleman added my unspoken thoughts that no one knows that I am here. Around 5 past the hour someone advised that the clinic was running a little late because of a late lunch hour taken by the team.
In fact the group comprised the other gentleman and me and the team compromised a presenter who was also a technician, another technician and one other who observed/listened. There was a simple slide presentation which explained the condition and the treatment machine. There was also unlimited opportunity to raise question which also provided the opportunity for the two of us patients to compare experiences which in great part were similar and which was reassuring.
I had no idea what the treatment device was like and its portability, important for my trips. Previously an attempt had been made to measure my sleep pattern though by a Dosimeter machine, clearly a combination of Oxygen and machine where the result as reported borderline but sufficient to be referred to the regional centre for the proposed treatment. It was transported in a simple open canvas carry bag which would have required packing in any luggage reducing the space for what I usually take with me.
The Sleep Apnea Treatment machine which could govern the rest of my life is compact and cleverly fits into an over the shoulder carrying case similar to that of a camera or bulky lap top and therefore will not affect what goes into my case and with the shoulder bad placed on top with which I manage on my trips using the train. A secondary consideration in the great scheme of things but of significance to me.
There was a discussion between the use of a full face mask and nose mask and I elected for the full face in the mistaken idea that this would enable me to breathe through the mouth as well as nose. This proved a major mistake because on trying the device at the centre I found myself in taking air through the mouth in s which had a suffocating effect. There was no opportunity to re consider the decision and on balance this was right as the use and attempted use has provided a good understanding of my condition and how it can be treated, taking account that the issue is one treatment and not elimination, unless the cause is exclusive to the weight gains over the past two decades, and over the past decade in particular.
On returning home I also made the mistake of not getting to know the equipment to the extent I would need and was to prove my undoing on that first night. My excuse is that I concentrated on getting a small bedside unit to replace the chair and this proved a three hour task to check availability and select a white fronted unit to go with the built in wardrobes and small chest of drawers unit at the window. I was able to acquire the inexpensive unit comprising a top shelf with under drawer (£20 approx) from Argos having reserved the only unit in store and assembled without mishap it took time.
I was still thinking about the appearance of Jeremy Hunt the Culture Secretary at Leveson, the previous day, having watched Newsnight and then Question Time followed by the morning newspaper reactions via the Internet, consideration of the activities celebrating the 60 years of the Monarch. I was also trying to work what was happening for the celebrations; including local events throughout Tyne and Wearside The combination of such activities that I did not get to know the machine and the mask or have a sitting up trial. The consequence was that I found the use at bedtime uncomfortable and discontinued disappointed with me and the situation in a matter of minutes.
However the following morning I was determined that this bad start would not be allowed to govern my ability to treat the condition and my resolve to lose weight through greater exercise increased although because of the disturbed night I felt a physical wreck. The use of his air and the disappointment of giving up so quickly let to my getting up, also because of an increase in body wind from the gulp intake of air. I had got up for a couple of hours and it was three am before getting back to bed and sleep with waking around seven my sleep was half that appropriate.
During the day although I did much sitting on sofa watching TV I had two sessions wearing the mask for half an hour and then in the evening for one hour. It was as a consequence of this experience that I came to fully understand my situation in that because of constant stuffy noses I am breathing through the mouth which explains the increased body wind. I am going to have to learn to breathe again and also to find ways to reduce nasal blockages.
At ease with the situation, the machine and myself I went to bed more confident and resolved and it worked. I am not sure at what point I first awoke but I believe after two hours and then three which necessitated getting up for a comfort break, However I know from the record that the third waking was after 8.3 hours of machine use having gone to bed around 11 pm and waking after 7, however I still felt tied,, more tired than uncomfortable and went back to sleep waking well after eight, a total of over 9 hours of sleep.
Nevertheless I was realistic about what the success meant. My attention during the day was on the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and having cleaned the mask as advised I make the mistake of assuming that I did not need further day time experience especially when I came over tired a couple of times, nodding off at least once for a short time. I also became nasal as the evening progressed and went to bed convinced in advance I would have problems, which I did and quickly decided it was better to leave than get into a state. However the determination to success was not affected. This morning I noted that I had managed another good eight hours sleep. I had woken for the second time at 5 am but relaxed on returning to bed and swept for a good three hours feeling refresh this morning
yesterday approaching 11 am I washed and shaved and then go into town for some shopping a couple of souvenir newspaper. I took me with me the latest £5 Asda voucher. I purchased the first of two digital conversion boxes for the two small TV’s in kitchen and top bedroom. The first cost £19, compact and worked immediately so I do not understand the £60 offer being advertised for the work to be undertaken for elderly people. There were two models costing £19 and one at £25. The one I chose has to Scart sockets. However I could not use the red button to enable the interactive service which prevents access to the Leveson inquiry and other mini screen services.
I bought some more reams of paper, black lever arch files at £1.50 and packs of pockets and then rounded off to the £40 with a variety of food and drink purchases including two packs of kitchen foil having previously mistakenly purchased cling film. I bought another £1 pack of new potatoes in skins which are much more enjoyable that the peeled tinned variety. I purchased a large 8 sachet pack of plain rice for boiling for the same price as one pack of instant although the latter will serve two and takes only a couple of minutes in the microwave. The main reason for the change is to reduce the portion and boiling will take ten minutes instead of two.
A similar consideration applies to the decision taken to introduce a simple single sandwich as a second meal and some days, with a salad main course on some of the days when I would have a hot. This part of making the fundamental change which the acquisition of the masks heralds. I am using the second chicken over the week with being away next Sunday. The art is to make gradual progress to a situation which will prove longer term. This is easy said than done for there are always moments during every day when the need for some comfort food is great and a challenge to overcome.
On the visit out I had intended to convert the posted code for use of the new Virgin Credit Card the one with which I am familiar but could I find the letter with the information. I checked the recently completed files on recent but no longer current annual household information taken to the second floor and the current file on such information. I doubled checked the current Household record annual info and the in tray but without success. It was not until returning home that I checking the pending file tray and found the document.
After the success of using the machine on Saturday evening, I made the mistake on Sunday of not having a get used to and nose clearing session or two during the day. I quickly realised on going to bed that I was not ready and switched off after about 15 minutes. There was a similar experience last night after having a session of about half an hour, although this morning when I woke early I decided to use and managed a two hour session the majority of which was asleep. This indicates an interim way forward. I am yet to decide if I will contact the centre before the trip to the South Coast or do so on return. I will continue to try and use on going to bed at night but also now have a try on waking during the night or when I awake and usually rise. It is important to increase the overall amount of sleep I am having as well as its quality. It is therefore too early to come to a conclusion which is why I commenced the writing with an emphasis on may rather than has or will.
On Friday July 1st 2012 I had a one o’clock appointment to attend a group presentation followed by personal fitting of a mask and device to treat Sleep Apnea at a regional hospital specialising in the condition. Although I had plenty of time to plan my journey I set off about half an hour later than intended and stopped at the Asda supermarket on my way our of town to purchase a sandwich but the queue at the counter was ginormous. If I had thought more carefully I would have grabbed the sandwich and taken it to a few items self service till. I did not think of this and decided to bank on there being a coffee shop outlet at the outpatients,
I was anxious about the getting to the hospital in good time arising from uncertainty over car parking and then had the excellent thought to go through the Tyne Tunnel and on to the coast road approaching the hospital from then east rather than go into the city and then travel north east. I had not used the tunnel toll payment disk since attending the opera performance at the Silverlink Odeon so there were several journeys available and it worked a treat with the advantage of a dual carriage way and clearly marked signs for all three Newcastle hospital that are off the carriage way.
The hospital is located at the north end of Jesmond Dene and chine and there were car parking spaces, not a great number, available in the second open air space so I did not need to find the multi story which also boasted space availability. The reception is that of a traditional NHS hospital with a Women’s Voluntary Service self service coffee shop close to the main entrance and reception. I purchased a salmon and cucumber sandwich and a very hot cup of good coffee for £3.95. I could have had a chicken sandwich packet of crisps and cold drink for £3.50.
It was only on reaching the well sign posted clinic C with Clinic D opposite that uncertainty occurred as there was no one at any reception desk but a small gathering which I quickly worked out were looking at a screen waiting for their turn to seen at a “Wayfrin” sounding name Clinic having taken a numbered ticket from a machine similar to those used at the Morrison’s deli counter at Seaburn. So I paced about read the notices and eventually asked a staff member at the entrance to clinic D who advised just to sit and way in the designated area,
Almost at the appointed hour I spotted a tall man in his later forties/ fifties arrive listening to music on his i phone look as I had done for reception and then pace about and then ask the same staff member as I had done who advised similarly although in this instance the gentleman added my unspoken thoughts that no one knows that I am here. Around 5 past the hour someone advised that the clinic was running a little late because of a late lunch hour taken by the team.
In fact the group comprised the other gentleman and me and the team compromised a presenter who was also a technician, another technician and one other who observed/listened. There was a simple slide presentation which explained the condition and the treatment machine. There was also unlimited opportunity to raise question which also provided the opportunity for the two of us patients to compare experiences which in great part were similar and which was reassuring.
I had no idea what the treatment device was like and its portability, important for my trips. Previously an attempt had been made to measure my sleep pattern though by a Dosimeter machine, clearly a combination of Oxygen and machine where the result as reported borderline but sufficient to be referred to the regional centre for the proposed treatment. It was transported in a simple open canvas carry bag which would have required packing in any luggage reducing the space for what I usually take with me.
The Sleep Apnea Treatment machine which could govern the rest of my life is compact and cleverly fits into an over the shoulder carrying case similar to that of a camera or bulky lap top and therefore will not affect what goes into my case and with the shoulder bad placed on top with which I manage on my trips using the train. A secondary consideration in the great scheme of things but of significance to me.
There was a discussion between the use of a full face mask and nose mask and I elected for the full face in the mistaken idea that this would enable me to breathe through the mouth as well as nose. This proved a major mistake because on trying the device at the centre I found myself in taking air through the mouth in s which had a suffocating effect. There was no opportunity to re consider the decision and on balance this was right as the use and attempted use has provided a good understanding of my condition and how it can be treated, taking account that the issue is one treatment and not elimination, unless the cause is exclusive to the weight gains over the past two decades, and over the past decade in particular.
On returning home I also made the mistake of not getting to know the equipment to the extent I would need and was to prove my undoing on that first night. My excuse is that I concentrated on getting a small bedside unit to replace the chair and this proved a three hour task to check availability and select a white fronted unit to go with the built in wardrobes and small chest of drawers unit at the window. I was able to acquire the inexpensive unit comprising a top shelf with under drawer (£20 approx) from Argos having reserved the only unit in store and assembled without mishap it took time.
I was still thinking about the appearance of Jeremy Hunt the Culture Secretary at Leveson, the previous day, having watched Newsnight and then Question Time followed by the morning newspaper reactions via the Internet, consideration of the activities celebrating the 60 years of the Monarch. I was also trying to work what was happening for the celebrations; including local events throughout Tyne and Wearside The combination of such activities that I did not get to know the machine and the mask or have a sitting up trial. The consequence was that I found the use at bedtime uncomfortable and discontinued disappointed with me and the situation in a matter of minutes.
However the following morning I was determined that this bad start would not be allowed to govern my ability to treat the condition and my resolve to lose weight through greater exercise increased although because of the disturbed night I felt a physical wreck. The use of his air and the disappointment of giving up so quickly let to my getting up, also because of an increase in body wind from the gulp intake of air. I had got up for a couple of hours and it was three am before getting back to bed and sleep with waking around seven my sleep was half that appropriate.
During the day although I did much sitting on sofa watching TV I had two sessions wearing the mask for half an hour and then in the evening for one hour. It was as a consequence of this experience that I came to fully understand my situation in that because of constant stuffy noses I am breathing through the mouth which explains the increased body wind. I am going to have to learn to breathe again and also to find ways to reduce nasal blockages.
At ease with the situation, the machine and myself I went to bed more confident and resolved and it worked. I am not sure at what point I first awoke but I believe after two hours and then three which necessitated getting up for a comfort break, However I know from the record that the third waking was after 8.3 hours of machine use having gone to bed around 11 pm and waking after 7, however I still felt tied,, more tired than uncomfortable and went back to sleep waking well after eight, a total of over 9 hours of sleep.
Nevertheless I was realistic about what the success meant. My attention during the day was on the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and having cleaned the mask as advised I make the mistake of assuming that I did not need further day time experience especially when I came over tired a couple of times, nodding off at least once for a short time. I also became nasal as the evening progressed and went to bed convinced in advance I would have problems, which I did and quickly decided it was better to leave than get into a state. However the determination to success was not affected. This morning I noted that I had managed another good eight hours sleep. I had woken for the second time at 5 am but relaxed on returning to bed and swept for a good three hours feeling refresh this morning
yesterday approaching 11 am I washed and shaved and then go into town for some shopping a couple of souvenir newspaper. I took me with me the latest £5 Asda voucher. I purchased the first of two digital conversion boxes for the two small TV’s in kitchen and top bedroom. The first cost £19, compact and worked immediately so I do not understand the £60 offer being advertised for the work to be undertaken for elderly people. There were two models costing £19 and one at £25. The one I chose has to Scart sockets. However I could not use the red button to enable the interactive service which prevents access to the Leveson inquiry and other mini screen services.
I bought some more reams of paper, black lever arch files at £1.50 and packs of pockets and then rounded off to the £40 with a variety of food and drink purchases including two packs of kitchen foil having previously mistakenly purchased cling film. I bought another £1 pack of new potatoes in skins which are much more enjoyable that the peeled tinned variety. I purchased a large 8 sachet pack of plain rice for boiling for the same price as one pack of instant although the latter will serve two and takes only a couple of minutes in the microwave. The main reason for the change is to reduce the portion and boiling will take ten minutes instead of two.
A similar consideration applies to the decision taken to introduce a simple single sandwich as a second meal and some days, with a salad main course on some of the days when I would have a hot. This part of making the fundamental change which the acquisition of the masks heralds. I am using the second chicken over the week with being away next Sunday. The art is to make gradual progress to a situation which will prove longer term. This is easy said than done for there are always moments during every day when the need for some comfort food is great and a challenge to overcome.
On the visit out I had intended to convert the posted code for use of the new Virgin Credit Card the one with which I am familiar but could I find the letter with the information. I checked the recently completed files on recent but no longer current annual household information taken to the second floor and the current file on such information. I doubled checked the current Household record annual info and the in tray but without success. It was not until returning home that I checking the pending file tray and found the document.
After the success of using the machine on Saturday evening, I made the mistake on Sunday of not having a get used to and nose clearing session or two during the day. I quickly realised on going to bed that I was not ready and switched off after about 15 minutes. There was a similar experience last night after having a session of about half an hour, although this morning when I woke early I decided to use and managed a two hour session the majority of which was asleep. This indicates an interim way forward. I am yet to decide if I will contact the centre before the trip to the South Coast or do so on return. I will continue to try and use on going to bed at night but also now have a try on waking during the night or when I awake and usually rise. It is important to increase the overall amount of sleep I am having as well as its quality. It is therefore too early to come to a conclusion which is why I commenced the writing with an emphasis on may rather than has or will.
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