Last night to sleep like a normal person.

This is how I sleep now. However, I am probably not smiling, nor am I quite so sound. Luckily for pictures, you can't hear someone snoring.

Well, this is the last time, as far I can tell, that I will ever sleep like this.

It kind of makes me sad, but I know that the changes I am about to make are for the very best.

I am supposed to sleep longer, breathe better, and sleep more deeply with my new situation.

Yes, friends - tomorrow at 1pm I will pick up my CPAP machine from the Lakeshore Sleep Clinic.

Booooo.

What is a CPAP machine? Continuous Positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a method of respiratory ventilation used primarily in the treatment of sleep apnea,.

A (CPAP) machine was initially used mainly by patients for the treatment of sleep apnea at home, but now is in widespread use across intensive care units as a form of ventilation.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes narrow as the muscles relax naturally during sleep. This reduces oxygen in the blood and causes arousal from sleep.

The CPAP machine stops this phenomenon by delivering a stream of compressed air via a hose to a nasal pillow, nose mask or full-face mask, splinting the airway (keeping it open under air pressure) so that unobstructed breathing becomes possible, reducing and/or preventing apneas and hypopneas.

It is important to understand, however, that it is the air pressure, and not the movement of the air, that prevents the apneas. When the machine is turned on, but prior to the mask being placed on the head, a flow of air comes through the mask. After the mask is placed on the head, it is sealed to the face and the air stops flowing. At this point, it is only the air pressure that accomplishes the desired result. This has the additional benefit of reducing or eliminating the extremely loud snoring that sometimes accompanies sleep apnea.

Here is what my mask and apparatus will look like:

Here's hoping I can adjust. Here's hoping my blood pressure returns to normal. Here's hoping - and who knows, maybe sleeping will finally become my favorite activity! :-)