DAY 13. (On Champix).
After a pretty shitful week, all of this having to EAT actual FOOD in the morning has been a bit to take....
The nausea, the extra ADD, waking up at 2am EVERY morning....
Today I have been for 12 hours without a smoke (only 2 this morning), 5 yesterday, and I can't remember the day before that.
Today was a real test.
I did my deliveries and usually smoke one between each delivery, and then half a dozen at the last destination, around the table with my 75 year old couple.
They both smoked.
But my lady has also quit, leaving just her hubby smoking today.....we survived!!!
I have definitely cut out the 'before bed' smoke, have done for the last few nights.
So now it's just the morning ones to get the chop and I'm there.
Good timing it seems with prices going up today....
Even a conversation on the phone about work (actually two conversations tonight) didn't make me pick one up, I wanted to, but didn't.
Lets see how tomorrow shapes up.
G
xxx
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tolerance
First night on the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) - Small Man managed to sleep with it ALL night, and in fact is still asleep with it now, at 9.20am....
This is VERY good.
1 in 3 people can't tolerate the CPAP.
I'm looking forward to seeing how he feels over the next few days.
Actually the lady at the CPAP place was pretty fascinated by his story as well, and is very keen to see how he gets on.
I will say though, I can't believe Medicare doesn't offer a cent towards CPAP machines.
What do people do that can't qualify for a 'freebie' through the public hospital, but can't afford $1200 for a machine?
Lucky I have a contingency fund specifically for Small Man's needs, whatever they may be, clothing, vitamins, appointment gaps, trips to the mainland etc etc
This is the machine itself (we are hiring it for a month).
It's about the size of a clock radio, but squarer (is that a word?)....
When we purchase one it will be the next model up from this one.
This is what the mask he has looks like on (just a random guy in the photo).
I've had a few questions about how big the masks are etc, so thought I'd include a pic :)
So far, so good.
Now, for him to wake up........ :)
If anyone has used one of these, or knows of someone that does/has and can give me a rough idea of how long it should take to see some change to his fatigue, please leave me a comment :)
G
xx
Friday, April 23, 2010
The plot thickens
OK....
So I emailed Dr Matt with the news of the sleep apnoea etc.
I fully expected him to ring me with the old 'Oh well, we will put off the lap band for another 10 years and blah blah'
Quite the opposite
He rang me a few hours later and was thrilled for Small Man, and said it's exactly what he needs to give to the 'board' as a definite reason for SM to be banded - asap. (asap in the medical timeframe is within 12 months I should add)...
Apparently sleep aponea is unusual in SM's age group, and a case of either diabetes (thank god his blood sugar is fine and he doesn't have this), high cholesterol (his cholesterol is fine), fatty liver (which he has) and most importantly sleep aponea will put SM number one on Dr Matt's list for requesting surgery.
I have given it a lot of thought, of course.
Why shouldn't he have both - CPAP and a band.
His weight is going to take some bringing down, with TWO things to help he may well get back to normal faster.
It's not like the last 4 years haven't been long enough for him, lets do it, lets help the poor fellah.
The *gggrrrrrrrrr* CPAP place have booked me in for MONDAY - that's great, except Monday is a HOLIDAY.....so now we have to wait longer........
Yes I am impatient about this part of the process........I want to get it, get him using it, and see how he feels.......
***Added at 9.05am - well I rang the CPAP place. Apparently we DON'T get a public holiday for ANZAC day in Tassie - the pollies rejected it - so the appointment still stands - good, I'm impatient at present.......******
Champix ~ Day 7
I have come to the realisation that Champix is affecting my ADD medication.
Actually it's stopping it from working.
Which leads to chaos.....mostly in my head, but then leds to chaos in my environment!
I couldn't work out 'the feeling' it was giving me.....then it hit me.....it was like having a very, very bad ADD day.......all day.......every day.....
I am still persevering with it, hell I've come this far.
I fell off the wagon a bit Wednesday (smoking wise) with all of the news of SM.....
Yesterday I did better but my short term memory and concentration were shot to pieces.
I had a song on in the car while I was driving around for work, it had been on for over half an hour before I realised it was on 'repeat'.......ooops.....derr!!!
I explained to my ladies that I am a bit out of it at the moment, they are great and understanding.
That's the best bit about my job, I am working with people that have known me for years, and they get it.....
G
xx
So I emailed Dr Matt with the news of the sleep apnoea etc.
I fully expected him to ring me with the old 'Oh well, we will put off the lap band for another 10 years and blah blah'
Quite the opposite
He rang me a few hours later and was thrilled for Small Man, and said it's exactly what he needs to give to the 'board' as a definite reason for SM to be banded - asap. (asap in the medical timeframe is within 12 months I should add)...
Apparently sleep aponea is unusual in SM's age group, and a case of either diabetes (thank god his blood sugar is fine and he doesn't have this), high cholesterol (his cholesterol is fine), fatty liver (which he has) and most importantly sleep aponea will put SM number one on Dr Matt's list for requesting surgery.
I have given it a lot of thought, of course.
Why shouldn't he have both - CPAP and a band.
His weight is going to take some bringing down, with TWO things to help he may well get back to normal faster.
It's not like the last 4 years haven't been long enough for him, lets do it, lets help the poor fellah.
The *gggrrrrrrrrr* CPAP place have booked me in for MONDAY - that's great, except Monday is a HOLIDAY.....so now we have to wait longer........
Yes I am impatient about this part of the process........I want to get it, get him using it, and see how he feels.......
***Added at 9.05am - well I rang the CPAP place. Apparently we DON'T get a public holiday for ANZAC day in Tassie - the pollies rejected it - so the appointment still stands - good, I'm impatient at present.......******
*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*
Champix ~ Day 7
I have come to the realisation that Champix is affecting my ADD medication.
Actually it's stopping it from working.
Which leads to chaos.....mostly in my head, but then leds to chaos in my environment!
I couldn't work out 'the feeling' it was giving me.....then it hit me.....it was like having a very, very bad ADD day.......all day.......every day.....
I am still persevering with it, hell I've come this far.
I fell off the wagon a bit Wednesday (smoking wise) with all of the news of SM.....
Yesterday I did better but my short term memory and concentration were shot to pieces.
I had a song on in the car while I was driving around for work, it had been on for over half an hour before I realised it was on 'repeat'.......ooops.....derr!!!
I explained to my ladies that I am a bit out of it at the moment, they are great and understanding.
That's the best bit about my job, I am working with people that have known me for years, and they get it.....
G
xx
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Mothers Intuition
Small Man HAS sleep apnoea.
Definitely.
Just as I have been saying for the last 2 years....
He's getting a CPAP machine Monday.
Actually the doc seems to think that this is the 'fixer' we need.
And that he may not even need a lap band.
Small Man was so overwhelmed/relieved at the possible light at the end of the tunnel he nearly had tears in his eyes.
As he said "This is the first appointment I have ever been to where something is actually going to get done"
It's been a long 4 years for us.
The docs report shows that he averages 37 disruptions to his sleep per HOUR.
Sleeping on his back - 56 'events' in one hour.....
It should be around 2 for his age.
He feels this is a major factor in his fatigue, no wonder he is exhausted.
I'm SO glad I pushed now....
Roll on Monday so we can get this thing started.
I want my boy to get his life back by whatever means necessary.
Feeling more optimistic than I was this morning....
G
xx
Definitely.
Just as I have been saying for the last 2 years....
He's getting a CPAP machine Monday.
Actually the doc seems to think that this is the 'fixer' we need.
And that he may not even need a lap band.
Small Man was so overwhelmed/relieved at the possible light at the end of the tunnel he nearly had tears in his eyes.
As he said "This is the first appointment I have ever been to where something is actually going to get done"
It's been a long 4 years for us.
The docs report shows that he averages 37 disruptions to his sleep per HOUR.
Sleeping on his back - 56 'events' in one hour.....
It should be around 2 for his age.
He feels this is a major factor in his fatigue, no wonder he is exhausted.
I'm SO glad I pushed now....
Roll on Monday so we can get this thing started.
I want my boy to get his life back by whatever means necessary.
Feeling more optimistic than I was this morning....
G
xx
Day 5
Well, it's now day 5 and I post this quickly, we're off to get Small Mans sleep study results this morning.
Where was I?
Oh yes, the Champix.
Hmm...why am I doing this again?
Oh yes, that's right it's the health and $$
I am still dopey/slightly out of it/disinterested/not talkative/shocking short term memory and mildly snappy.....
Waking up at 3am every morning sweating like no-ones business (possibly the hormones)
Forgot to count how many smokes I had yesterday, but there were some good 1.5 - 2hr gaps between
Possibly the last thing i needed was something that slows me down, but whatever it's only for a while, hopefully I'll get used to it
*sigh*
Another busy day today, and I can't be bothered......
G
xx
Where was I?
Oh yes, the Champix.
Hmm...why am I doing this again?
Oh yes, that's right it's the health and $$
I am still dopey/slightly out of it/disinterested/not talkative/shocking short term memory and mildly snappy.....
Waking up at 3am every morning sweating like no-ones business (possibly the hormones)
Forgot to count how many smokes I had yesterday, but there were some good 1.5 - 2hr gaps between
Possibly the last thing i needed was something that slows me down, but whatever it's only for a while, hopefully I'll get used to it
*sigh*
Another busy day today, and I can't be bothered......
G
xx
Monday, April 19, 2010
Day 3
Well it's now day 3 of the champix journey.
I'm going pretty well.
The first day I was really aware I had taken something, but no drastic side effects, just a bit dopier than usual - ha ha!
The subsequent two days have been the same.
I have cut back quite a lot. I was (and I hate to admit) up to nearly a pack a day (30).
I had 15 on the first day, 13 on the second, and today have only had 7 or 8 so far.
It is definitely numbing down the cravings, although the habitual smoking, that's going to be tougher.
I can't 'ring the quitline' because being on the phone is the BIGGEST trigger for me, above all else.
I could even sit next to someone else that was smoking and not be bothered.
Get me on the phone though and that's a whole different story.
I would even drag the laptop outside to talk on skype and have a smoke at the same time!!
I picked day 13 to stop completely.
The pack said to pick a day from 7 - 14.
I'm not going to try and set unrealistic goals for myself with this.
It's a habit I have had for 23 years (with a 2 year break about ten years ago).
And recently it has been a real 'crutch'.
Anyone that has never smoked definitely wouldn't 'get' what I'm on about - or what a challenge this is.....but I had a lovely email from Cheryl, my lovely ex boss.
She told me "You are a very strong person Gina, you can do this".
That was so sweet of her and has really spurred me on.
I took my last contraceptive pill Friday night too.
Will see how that pans out!
*inserts hysterical maniacal laughter*
Thank everyone for your supportive comments.....what's for tea Jayne?? Hee hee!
Love you all heaps,
G
xx
I'm going pretty well.
The first day I was really aware I had taken something, but no drastic side effects, just a bit dopier than usual - ha ha!
The subsequent two days have been the same.
I have cut back quite a lot. I was (and I hate to admit) up to nearly a pack a day (30).
I had 15 on the first day, 13 on the second, and today have only had 7 or 8 so far.
It is definitely numbing down the cravings, although the habitual smoking, that's going to be tougher.
I can't 'ring the quitline' because being on the phone is the BIGGEST trigger for me, above all else.
I could even sit next to someone else that was smoking and not be bothered.
Get me on the phone though and that's a whole different story.
I would even drag the laptop outside to talk on skype and have a smoke at the same time!!
I picked day 13 to stop completely.
The pack said to pick a day from 7 - 14.
I'm not going to try and set unrealistic goals for myself with this.
It's a habit I have had for 23 years (with a 2 year break about ten years ago).
And recently it has been a real 'crutch'.
Anyone that has never smoked definitely wouldn't 'get' what I'm on about - or what a challenge this is.....but I had a lovely email from Cheryl, my lovely ex boss.
She told me "You are a very strong person Gina, you can do this".
That was so sweet of her and has really spurred me on.
I took my last contraceptive pill Friday night too.
Will see how that pans out!
*inserts hysterical maniacal laughter*
Thank everyone for your supportive comments.....what's for tea Jayne?? Hee hee!
Love you all heaps,
G
xx
Friday, April 16, 2010
And then......
I finally got hold of Dr Matt (he emailed me Tuesday and I've been trying to catch him since).
We will be going over to Melbourne within the next 4 - 8 weeks for Small Man to see him, and a hepatologist for further investigation into his liver function.
He said 'because we are trying to get a lap band within the next 6 MONTHS'.....which has shortened the estimated time by 3 months already.....I'm not getting my hopes up too much, but it's a positive....
G
xx
We will be going over to Melbourne within the next 4 - 8 weeks for Small Man to see him, and a hepatologist for further investigation into his liver function.
He said 'because we are trying to get a lap band within the next 6 MONTHS'.....which has shortened the estimated time by 3 months already.....I'm not getting my hopes up too much, but it's a positive....
G
xx
It's Time.....possibly TMI
Possibly too much info for some readers, so if you don't want to know......
Just back from an eventful doctors appointment.
Time for a major shake up.
I am now full of cysts in both breasts.
Due to hormone levels and STRESS (who me, ya think?)
I am going off the pill for 2 months, will then have my hormone levels checked and work out what I have too much of and what I need, and if I am in fact menopausal/pre menopausal, and whether or not I will need fluid tablets to shift the cysts.
The Lichens is running riot as well, I have some really strong cream to try and fix it.
It's not helping my 'physical relationship' and is causing a strain.
Hell, I have felt so disgusting from the cysts and the sinus infection THAT STARTED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR - that having another 'area of irritation' is just a bit much - sorry about that....
I have also, are you sitting down?
Got a prescription for Champix.
Smoking does NOT help sinus infections.
And the nearly $100 a week it's costing me could be better spent elsewhere.
I've picked it up, so there's no backing out.
Actually I'm starting it tomorrow.
I have spent the last few months getting my diet as good as it could possibly be, not that I have ever been a junk food junkie, or had a particulary poor diet before, but I have tweaked it further.
I think I'm to the 80/20 rule, eat very well 80% of the time and have a little break 20% of the time.
Makes sense.
I told my doc when he sees me in a month, and I'm not smoking and my hormones are out of control, just to be prepared - ha ha ha! I offered to send him down some rescue remedy in advance - ha ha ha!! It could get ugly!!!
Wish me luck.
G
xx
Just back from an eventful doctors appointment.
Time for a major shake up.
I am now full of cysts in both breasts.
Due to hormone levels and STRESS (who me, ya think?)
I am going off the pill for 2 months, will then have my hormone levels checked and work out what I have too much of and what I need, and if I am in fact menopausal/pre menopausal, and whether or not I will need fluid tablets to shift the cysts.
The Lichens is running riot as well, I have some really strong cream to try and fix it.
It's not helping my 'physical relationship' and is causing a strain.
Hell, I have felt so disgusting from the cysts and the sinus infection THAT STARTED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR - that having another 'area of irritation' is just a bit much - sorry about that....
I have also, are you sitting down?
Got a prescription for Champix.
Smoking does NOT help sinus infections.
And the nearly $100 a week it's costing me could be better spent elsewhere.
I've picked it up, so there's no backing out.
Actually I'm starting it tomorrow.
I have spent the last few months getting my diet as good as it could possibly be, not that I have ever been a junk food junkie, or had a particulary poor diet before, but I have tweaked it further.
I think I'm to the 80/20 rule, eat very well 80% of the time and have a little break 20% of the time.
Makes sense.
I told my doc when he sees me in a month, and I'm not smoking and my hormones are out of control, just to be prepared - ha ha ha! I offered to send him down some rescue remedy in advance - ha ha ha!! It could get ugly!!!
Wish me luck.
G
xx
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
I've hit the heights of laziness...ha ha ha!
Yes, I've done it.
Online supermarket shopping. (Woolies).
Oh the joy of the man bringing my neatly bagged groceries inside for me today.
Free delivery too I might add.
Yep, too easy.
I wouldn't do it for every shop, but she was looking a bit old mother hubbard around here and the thought of dragging myself around the supermarket some time today, in between work and god knows what - nope, it wasn't going to happen!
If you have it in your area, it's worth a go!
G
xxx
Online supermarket shopping. (Woolies).
Oh the joy of the man bringing my neatly bagged groceries inside for me today.
Free delivery too I might add.
Yep, too easy.
I wouldn't do it for every shop, but she was looking a bit old mother hubbard around here and the thought of dragging myself around the supermarket some time today, in between work and god knows what - nope, it wasn't going to happen!
If you have it in your area, it's worth a go!
G
xxx
Friday, April 9, 2010
Exhale...........
I had a very quick appointment with my doc today.
It was actually his prescription repeat clinic....but I can say heaps in 5 minutes.
My results came in today, cysts, a few of them, on both sides.
I have an appointment to discuss it all properly next Friday.
I'm still running a temp/chills most of the time, and tired, oh boy, so must still have an infection somewhere.
Hopefully I can get this stuff sorted out once and for all.
I have a house full of big teenage boys for the night, so am off again as privacy just isn't going to happen!
But I must say they're lovely at this age, and lots of fun :)
G
xx
It was actually his prescription repeat clinic....but I can say heaps in 5 minutes.
My results came in today, cysts, a few of them, on both sides.
I have an appointment to discuss it all properly next Friday.
I'm still running a temp/chills most of the time, and tired, oh boy, so must still have an infection somewhere.
Hopefully I can get this stuff sorted out once and for all.
I have a house full of big teenage boys for the night, so am off again as privacy just isn't going to happen!
But I must say they're lovely at this age, and lots of fun :)
G
xx
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
24 hours
It's been a rather big 24hrs in the house of 'G'....
Small Man went sleeping at the hospital, it all went fairly well although I doubt he'll ever get into a really, relaxed sleep anywhere but in his own bed.
The technician seems to think he has enough 'activity' to warrant a CPAP trial.
I will give anything a try to relieve his fatigue - ANYTHING.
Possum and I took him in at 7.45pm, and then stayed with him until 10pm - stopped at the supermarket on the way home, I then picked him up at 8.30am this morning.
An interesting 'thing' happened with the viewing monitor - there is a camera in each room pointed directly at the bed so that the technician can watch and hear the patients while they sleep to monitor snoring etc etc.
SM was all set up and sitting on the bed, as was the other person in for a study.
The techie could see the other person, but SM wasn't on the camera, it showed his bed as empty, she waited a while thinking he'd gone to the toilet, then eventually went and checked - he was sitting on his bed!!
A glitch in the camera?
Or one of the ghosties that haunt the hospital playing tricks?
Today is also our wedding anniversary - awww ;) - we didn't do anything special, or go anywhere - there wasn't the time to be honest - but we all hung out together tonight, Big A and I ate some prawn cocktails for entree - it was nice...
In the middle of all of this I have had a visit from my brother, 2 work people, half a dozen phone calls and a million text messages - I'm not kidding I've almost run out of credit!
Oh and we loaded up the trailer for Big A to take to the tip....
Today the mammogram - yeah - I knew they were 'uncomfortable' but really, really uncomfortable at one stage.....it started out ok, until they used a different squisher on the problem area, oh my, it's still hurting on and off.
I have no idea what the results or outcome will be, but there were measurements made and recorded during the ultrasound, and 'that spot' was mammogrammed (is that a word?) an extra time, so obviously something has caught their attention - most likely just a cyst but I'll find out in due course.
Phew, hope to get to sleep at a decent time tonight
G
xx
Small Man went sleeping at the hospital, it all went fairly well although I doubt he'll ever get into a really, relaxed sleep anywhere but in his own bed.
The technician seems to think he has enough 'activity' to warrant a CPAP trial.
I will give anything a try to relieve his fatigue - ANYTHING.
Possum and I took him in at 7.45pm, and then stayed with him until 10pm - stopped at the supermarket on the way home, I then picked him up at 8.30am this morning.
An interesting 'thing' happened with the viewing monitor - there is a camera in each room pointed directly at the bed so that the technician can watch and hear the patients while they sleep to monitor snoring etc etc.
SM was all set up and sitting on the bed, as was the other person in for a study.
The techie could see the other person, but SM wasn't on the camera, it showed his bed as empty, she waited a while thinking he'd gone to the toilet, then eventually went and checked - he was sitting on his bed!!
A glitch in the camera?
Or one of the ghosties that haunt the hospital playing tricks?
Today is also our wedding anniversary - awww ;) - we didn't do anything special, or go anywhere - there wasn't the time to be honest - but we all hung out together tonight, Big A and I ate some prawn cocktails for entree - it was nice...
In the middle of all of this I have had a visit from my brother, 2 work people, half a dozen phone calls and a million text messages - I'm not kidding I've almost run out of credit!
Oh and we loaded up the trailer for Big A to take to the tip....
Today the mammogram - yeah - I knew they were 'uncomfortable' but really, really uncomfortable at one stage.....it started out ok, until they used a different squisher on the problem area, oh my, it's still hurting on and off.
I have no idea what the results or outcome will be, but there were measurements made and recorded during the ultrasound, and 'that spot' was mammogrammed (is that a word?) an extra time, so obviously something has caught their attention - most likely just a cyst but I'll find out in due course.
Phew, hope to get to sleep at a decent time tonight
G
xx
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter Sunday
We were married on Easter Saturday 1996 - it must have been the best Easter (as far as eggs go!) my boys have had - every relative that came for the wedding bought them an Easter egg - OMG - the dining table was covered!!
When the boys were little we would have an Easter Egg hunt, and I may have even done a few 'bunny' footprints on the carpet with talcum powder......how quickly time passes!
It's always been Possums favourite holiday - he's a choc-a-holic for sure :)
This morning, well, it's just Possum and I at home - Big A is at work and Small Man has gone to stay at AJ's house until Monday.
AJ's Mum called me yesterday afternoon to ask - we thought this would be a good way of wearing him out for his sleep study Monday, and AJ was busting to see him, I had to say 'No' to any sleep overs last weekend in preparation for school camp.
After another slow/sleeping/frustrating day yesterday I'm pleased to be up and 75% awake this morning.
Dear oh dear - Thursday and Friday nights I was in bed at 10pm - slept until 10am - then slept again in the afternoon for a few hours.
Still have a bit of a temp.....surely these antibiotics will fix it all......grrr....
Not sure if I will see any family today, but I'm not worried either way.
Actually haven't felt up to visitors at all, as I've only managed the bare minimum around here.
Hopefully today I can catch up a little.
Have a great day,
G
xx
Saturday, April 3, 2010
❀ Zzzzz......... ✿
I could SO win a sleep-a-thon at the moment....
Oh well, it's not hurting anyone else, so I'm going with it.
Small Man ℠ (hee hee he has his own symbol!) has his sleep study Monday night, need to tire him out Monday in preparation for it.
He came back from camp a total wreck, but he had a great time :)
Possum٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶ is enjoying the break from work, he's loving his new job but it's nice to have a few days off.
Thank you for the messages, comments, healing thoughts... on my upcoming mammogram ❤
It's Tuesday afternoon, will keep you posted.
Enjoy your Easter Weekend ~ hope the bunny turns up at your place tomorrow,
G
xx
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Thank you for the healing.... Ƹ̵̡Ӝ ̵̨̄Ʒ
To whoever sent the healing vibes to me yesterday, thank you.
I have no idea who you are, but you are very gifted.
I felt it (like a cold spot on my chest, but exactly the right spot).
Don't doubt yourself!
G
xx
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