This post sucks

First of all, I had my sleep study.  And I wanted to share, as is my nature


That was Sunday night.  Monday I was TIRED.  I did dream a lot so I know I slept, but sheesh, I was awake more than asleep that’s for sure.  On Monday morning when the tech was removing the electrodes and as much glue as possible from my head, I asked “Can you tell me if I had any events?  He paused and said “You had a lot of hypopneas.  Well, that explained the headaches and the fatigue, but I figured it still had to be TONS better than before my surgery, right?

Had my preliminary study faxed to Dr. Li who called me on my way to work on Thursday morning.  Here’s the conversation (on my headset of course):

DL: Shelby, this is Dr. Li!

me: Yes.  Hi Dr. Li.  How are you?

DL: Shelby.  You still have sleep apnea!

me: Can I swear?

DL: Yes

me: F***************CK!  Ok thank you.

And then we went on to talk about things like me coming in to see him on Monday at 3:30 and him looking at my airway to see if tonsils need to come out.  And he also said “Shelby, I’m going to tell you something you don’t want to hear.”  I said “I have to wear the freaking machine.”  He said “No.  You have to lose weight.”  And I said I’ve never had a problem with hearing that.  And he said “Yes you did!  We were fighting!…Oh wait, oh yeah, we were fighting because…”  And I said “Yes.  We were fighting because you said Courtland was leaving me for a younger model.”  And he said “Oh yeah.  Ok.  So: More sushi, less pasta.”

I went to work and was sad.  Not because of the sushi prescription which I could do in a hearbeat, but because…what do you mean I still have sleep apnea?  Then again, now I know why I kept looking at Court on the weekends and saying “I don’t know what it is, I could just sleep all day.

On my way home I called Dr. Li’s office and asked Daisy…or Juanita (I cannot remember who had to bear the bad news) what my number was.  I figured if it was originally 43 (when I had zero body fat because I was dying) it should be at least down to 20 or something post surgery (yes I know I’m a big girl right now)…but I was NOT prepared for the number: 34.8

That’s all I have to say.  Until after Monday when Dr. Li looks at my airway I cannot deal.

Keep in mind I am happier and healthier than I have ever been…so even this cannot change that.  Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July! I’m BBQing some ribs with Court and Cynthia and David’s coming over later.  We’ve got Lego Indiana Jones on the Wii and the sun is out.  Plenty to keep my mind of Suckfest 2008…but hey…maybe if he removes my tonsils I’ll lose weight *giggle*

2 Responses to “This post sucks”

  1. muki Says:

    Hi Shelby:
    Thank you so much for the update. I feel like swearing on your behalf….I’m glad Dr. Li didn’t mind the very appropriate F word. This news is so disconcerting–especially because you followed your treatment plan and you have an awesome surgeon. Boy, the whole weight issue is so tricky (for whatever it is worth…. Dr.CG at the Stanford Sleep Clinic has gotten on my case about weight….I’m at a normal weight, but because of the apnea, Dr.CG wants me to weigh 10 lbs less than what I weigh now–and this drives me batty). I’m glad Dr. Li is not putting you back on CPAP–this is good news. Will look forward to hearing how your Monday visit with Dr.Li goes. I hope your tonsils will be spared, and hopefully, Dr. Li won’t put too much pressure on you to lose weight. These weight-related chats with docs are definately not fun. I think you should remind him that you had severe apnea even when you were underweight. Shelby, take good care, and thank you again for your blog….you are a fabulous writer, and I look forward to your take on all things apnea (you add the kind of levity I need during the times the apnea gets me really down).
    All the best,
    Muki

  2. Shelby Says:

    Hi Muki! Sorry I didn’t get his. For some reason I missed the last few comments. I did not mean to ignore you. I’m about to write my post re: the last appointment and the surgery I am having tomorrow. Yeah weight…grrrr….but I don’t mind being told ultimately…I just hate that they are right :)

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