Sleep is precious

For years I never got enough sleep. Never, ever, ever. I think it started back in college. Sleep was more of a drunken, exhausted "pass out" phase. Oh yeah, I partied as hard as I possibly could. Pursuit of pleasure and a Bachelor's degree was my goal. I indulged my every whim, and came out with the piece of paper that confirms my intelligence and a beer gut to boot. I picked up important social skills and an amazing alcohol tolerance.

But sleep was not important to me at all.

Then a few years later, something odd started happening. I would wake up gasping for air. I was stressed, a little heavier, and waking up numerous times in the night- thinking perhaps I was having a panic attack in my sleep.

This went on from 1997 - 2010. Maybe a solid 2 or 3 hours of sleep. Not without trying. Last October/November I went to the cardiologist to work on this blood pressure thing. Through numerous tests (many of you may remember all of the posts about that) - I found out one of the many causes of my higher bp was the sleep apnea. No, I am not a 500 pound person.. it can happen to anyone. Apparently if you snore or momentarily quit breathing in your sleep - that's a sign.

Since then, I have struggled with this CPAP machine. It took about 2 months to really get the hang of it. NOW - I sleep like a baby. Better than I have in a decade... maybe even longer.

For example, I came home last night after that long journey back from the coast, went and had a massage, grabbed some groceries and even sipped an espresso (pretty late.) I decided to chill with the tv - then I ended up staying up pretty late. (Mixed with a little nap.) I went to bed close to 4am and woke up at 8:30am. I FEEL WONDERFUL. You would think that was not enough sleep. However, with the machine - it's uninterrupted, pure filtered air with a humidifier streaming into me. Translation - feels like I slept 8 hours.

I never realized how precious sleep was. Now, I can fall asleep fairly fast, and sleep hard. Like a baby.

What about you? How are your sleeping habits?

Battling the Silent Killer

High Blood pressure may well be the thing that actually takes me down one day. That's the cold hard facts.

I have battled my blood pressure for almost 24 years now. That's right - 24 vessel damaging years.

Most of it (at least 80% of it) is my fault. I LOVE salty food. I basically stopped exercising around 26 and let my weight slide up the scale. I stress more than the average person. I retain water more than a sponge.

Add to that a strong family history, and the fact that I am a woman (#1 killer of us!) - it was dooms day for me all along.

But here's the thing - it does not have to stay that way. One thing I have learned by working for and writing stories for the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association is this - it can be controlled.. and I can add years to my life.

I have made a few choices and changes over the years. I am getting better every day and the BP is under control. But it will always be the the silent enemy of mine.

Why am I sharing this with you?? I am raising money for the Start! Heart Walk that is going to take place this weekend in Birmingham. I made a personal commitment to raise $1,000. Unfortunately, I am a terrible fund raiser and I only got as far as $50, and I am grateful for that amount!

Here's the thing, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, or to ignore what I am writing. If you think you can help out - then I would appreciate it! You will notice a bar at the right corner of my blog (it is green and looks like a thermometer. Please click on it and make a donation. If you choose to do so online, the lowest amount it will accept is $25. If you would like to make a smaller donation, please mail a check or cash to:

American Heart Association (make the check out to this also)
ATTN: Nicole Abdou
1449 Medical Park Drive
Birmingham, AL 35213.

Make sure to send it to my attention, so I can credit it to my personal campaign.

I would also like to personally invite you to the Start! Heart Walk on Saturday, August 21st at Linn Park. Go to: birminghamheartwalk.org for more information. It is free and open to the public. If you would like to walk on "my team" - Destination: Health - I would love to walk with you.

There will be tons of activities for kids and great health screenings and entertainment for adults.

I am truly making an official (though I have talked about it often) commitment to coming off my blood pressure meds. That is my goal. In order to do that - I have to stick to the Mediterranean Diet and exercise for one hour at least 5 days a week. It is possible. But I need your support.

Just so you know, the money you donate really and truly goes back into research and education. I would really love to shock my co-workers and actually make my goal - I know they think I won't. (Because I have not really gotten into it until now) - but I always said, I like a last minute push to get me to do anything!

If you can't donate, even a $1 - promise me you will make a difference in taking care of your heart health. Heart disease is the #1 killer of all Americans. Stroke is #3. Plus, Stroke is the #1 adult onset of disability.

My commitment to making this official - and YOU guys holding me accountable - I will commit each Friday to reporting out what I have done, how I am doing it and where I am in the journey.

I just found out my 64 year old father now has a leaky heart valve and is heading toward congestive heart failure. He is a diabetic and has high cholesterol. My 59 year old mother is a diabetic and has high blood pressure.I watched my grandmother die due to complications from heart disease and diabetes. I called 911 as a child when I saw my great grandmother have a heart attack right before my eyes. I lost a best friend to heart disease - he died in his sleep due to sleep apnea.  He was 36 years old.

I cannot .. under any circumstances allow myself to become a diabetic (one of the leading contributors to heart disease.) I can reverse the BP problem.. and I can make a difference.

I know I have talked about it.. but I got off course. This time.. with the threat of my father's life - I am awake and I see.

With that - please remember - share if you can in the fight financially. I promise to take lots of pics and I will place a name on our memorial wall for you also... if you would like for me to walk for someone you love. (Or maybe it is YOU!)

Thanks .. and know if you can help, it means the world to me!

For more stories on my struggles and scares with my health click on the following posts. I highly recommend you reading them. It could save your life.:

Hey, What's Up DOC?
I did it .. Finally!
Health Update
It's Harder Than It Seems
Lifestyle Changes are T-O-U-G-H
There's a Demon on my Chest
The Pain of Health
Overly Medicated
Sleep Apnea 100%
LAst Night to Sleep Like a Normal Person