Last night when Vince had his sleep study was the first time I’ve stayed by myself out here. I’m telling you . . I am the world’s biggest chicken. I was not looking forward to being by myself here last night but, obviously, I survived. So, I put on my big girl undies and told myself I could do this. I made cookies. My neighbor came over and got some for them.
I knitted for a while, cleaned house for a while . . all the while wanting to avoid having to go to bed. The replacement Kindle Paperwhite had arrived that afternoon and I charged it so about 10 p.m., I decided to get it set up. When I turned it on, it was set to Japanese. I couldn’t read a darned thing. I searched how to switch it to English and couldn’t find anything so I had to call Amazon. The lady wasn’t sure how to fix it but she ended up working on the Paperwhite and telling me to go to the third step, hit enter; then click on the first step and hit return, etc. With her seeing it in English, she was able to tell me which buttons to push and we finally got it set. Then, I went to connect to the wifi and, as you might guess, I didn’t remember our password. Vince didn’t take his phone with him and I tried about a dozen possible passwords and nothing worked. Then I remembered that a while back, I had emailed him to ask the password so I searched my email and found this dialogue:
Me: What’s our wifi password?
Vince: Give me $20 and I’ll tell you!
Me: Nevermind . . I remembered!
That was a ton of help! Finally, I remembered it and by then, it was after midnight and I was sleepy so I went to bed and only read a few minutes.
It was so windy here! Vince said the sleep study guy told him this morning that we had 50 – 60 mph gusts. I don’t know if that’s true but we had a lot of wind. At one point when I was on the phone with the Amazon lady and a piece of cardboard (from the grill box) flew up and hit the window and I might have said a bad word! 🙁 After I went to bed, I heard the most awful, spooky sound and I got up to go investigate and there were four or five empty 5 gallon pots from blueberry plants flying around and one had hit the bit shop roll up door.
Vince had not taken a house key with him and he told me that when he got home around 6 a.m., he would tap on the bedroom window. I told him that might not be a good idea so he decided to drive in and honk the horn. Much better idea.
I think it was a bit after 1 a.m. when I went to sleep and I never woke up once . . til I heard the horn honking about 5:45.
Vince’s test went well. He got less sleep than I did though. He will have to start using the CPAP, which I hope means he will get a better, more restful night’s sleep.
Tonight, both of us will definitely sleep better.
Peggy says
Our friend started using a CPAP recently and is very pleased with the results. I know Judy may not like listening to a new sound at night, but you will get used to it as long as it helps Vince.
Toni in TN says
Vince will do great with the CPAP. Hubs has used one since 1997. It has been a godsend for us both. He can’t snore with the machine on and now we both get a good nights sleep. Congrats on that first night alone. I’m proud of you.
Lee says
Happy to hear you survived your night alone! I know when Marty goes away, the first night seems to always be the worst, but I get over it pretty easily – I lived alone far longer than I’ve been married! Marty tried CPAP but it made him claustrophobic so couldn’t use but instead uses a custom-made oral appliance. It’s eased his snoring and lets him breath better when he lays down but I don’t believe affects/’cures’ his sleep apnea 🙁
Marion Morgan says
My husband has had two sleep tests and tried CPAP twice. Both times, machines did not fit properly so he gave up. We now have two twin beds put together as one so when he thrashes around, it doesn’t bother me so much. He is going to try one more time. Does not help with his snoring of course. It’s a shame as he gets tired too. You do get use to being alone, Judy. We had a dog, a great alarm and neighbours close. I don’t think I could stay out there on the range alone however. Take care of yourself.
Marlene says
I’ve been using a CPAP for a year and love the way I sleep. It’s so quiet you can’t hear a thing, no motor sound, nothing. If I take off the mask though you can hear the air flow. There’s also air flow that if I’m facing my husband blows on him – he loves it, says it’s very cooling. 🙂 blessings, marlene
Kim says
I hate to be alone at night too. The wind blowing as you described is a lonely sound, and then on top of that you have cardboard hitting the window! I would have jumped out of my skin! You are one brave lady!
I have apnea and have slept with a CPAP machine for two years now. If the mask fits well there is no noise. There are several mask styles to choose from, so if one mask doesn’t work, then another might. A full night of good sleep is a blessing. Vince will wonder why he hadn’t done this before. So hang in there!
Donita Q says
How do you like the Paperwhit Kindle? I have a 1 year old Kindle and I love it. Having a hard time justifying buying another one. But I do love the white background on the iPad Kindle app.
sao in Midlothian, VA says
Judy, you are one of the funniest people that I know. You tell a great story for sure!
My DH has the CPAP and it has made a world of difference!
Thanks for all of the entertainment that you provide just sharing your life!
sao in Midlothian, VA
Pat Hathaway says
I’ve had a CPAP for about 20 years. When I first got it Hubs woke up in the middle of the night and I was so unusually quiet he had to touch me to make sure I was still alive. LOL Now neither of us can sleep if it isn’t on. He considers it like having a white noise machine in the room.
Terri Schanz says
I’ve used a CPAP for years. It can be hard to get used to, I think it took me a couple of months before I stopped waking up with the mask on my forehead or down on my chin where I had ripped it off during the night. Persistence pays off though, and he will feel so much more rested when he gets used to it.
I don’t know that I’ve ever spent a night alone in our house, now that I think about it. My husband is a homebody and the few times he did go away was back when the kids were still home. I’m sure I wouldn’t be any braver than you!!
Karen Langseth says
Yup, CPAP machines work, my husband getsmuch better sleep now. Don’t let him give up on it, they have several options for the mask part, just keep trying until he finds one that fits comfortably., DH finally had to shave his beard that he has had for 30plus years to make it work. I’m glad you survived the night alone, it will be easier the next time.
wanda says
Well at 1:30 am here in Conroe the wind was blowing at 48 miles . So it is possible you got 50-60 easy. The wind woke me up and I couldn’t believe all the things flying around. Our ladders, plants and lordy the wind chimes. But nothing hurt.
Now to Vince . yes the capap will help loads. Dh has one and wow what a difference it has made for both of us. Sleeps like a baby now but can’t hear a thing.You will get more sleep too. He will now go no where with out it. That thing will go in the truck before you do.HE!!!!HE!!!
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New year.
Love all the photos and stories by the way.
Love in Christ,
wanda
Nancy Parisi says
I have moderately severe apnea and severe restless leg syndrom. I have had several sessions of sleep tests. The new machine is very quiet. It was very easy for me to adjust to, Remember to flip the hose over your head so you don’t get caught in it. It does emit a breeze….probably not good in cold climates but fine where we live–If it is bothersome–just turn away from your partner. I really love the CPAP, and get much better rest now.
Joanne Harris says
I have been using a CPAP for over 15 years. I had no trouble adjusting, well maybe a little skin irritation at the start. It has made a HUGE!!! difference in my life. If you need it use it. It will likely be something that you do not even notice in terms of background noise once you recognize the sound.
Mary Jo says
Since sleep apnea can cause any number of health problems including heart problems, it is well worth the effort to learn to use a CPAP. I have used mine for about 5 or 6 years and it is amazing how much better I feel. I have a fairly new machine and new mask that is even better than my first machine. I have to try several masks before I got the right one, but my doctor was great at working with me till we got it right. Be patient…it will pay off!
Linddylou says
Oh Judy, I don’t know if Vince snores or not but when my hubby got his cpap machine, was one of the 1st nights I didn’t wake up next to a freight train. LOL
Marion Bryant-Parsons says
Dear Judy,
My husband has had his CPAP for quite a few years. He wasn’t sleeping well & his snoring was louder than a “Melbourne Tram” (an Aussie saying). Finally we had had enough & pronto he had his study & the CPAP became the other person in our room. It has improved his health & there will be no more terrifying times when he was at the wheel of the car with his eyes opened but he was asleep & we were heading into oncoming traffic. Sleep Apnea is an insidious disease & needs to be checked. Unfortunately I started falling asleep at all sorts of different times, like writing e-mails, eating breakfast etc, earlier in the year & was discovered to have the other disease,similar to Sleep Apnea where I need a VPAP machine, the V stands for variable & it not only breathes in for me but it also breathes out for me. I was pleased when you wrote about your husband’s tests so that other people can become aware that snoring etc is not just a joking matter but should be checked by your doctor immediately.Thanks heaps for your blog I really enjoy reading it even if I’m on the other side of the world. I especially like following your Quilt Alongs & free Quilt Patterns. Thank you.
Marion BP
Vic, Australia
Kathleen says
CPAP will definitely bring some new noises to the bedroom. Vibrating lips making motorboat sounds and a built in fan for your face if he is turned toward you. I stand up a pillow between our faces to deflect the air and now sleep with ear plugs. All for a good cause because I definitely want him to keep breathing. Being alone at night is no fun for people with vivid imaginations. Have ave a great holiday.
Marion Morgan says
Wow, all of this has been a great education and so helpful I,e, CPAP. You are in good hands, Judy, with your readers input.
Lori in South Dakota says
Ah–things that go bump in the night. Yes–I don’t think tapping on the bedroom window would have been good! The fancy deer stand–lots of chuckling here. C-pap–be persistent. If its uncomfortable–try more. I hated the full mask type–gave me a headache. There are oodles out there–cruise the net to look at them. Once you’re used to it–your sleep is so much better and they are NOT noisy! Heated humidifier/heated hose a must.
Nancy Angerer says
The CPAP should be a great help. It sure has helped me. I have been using one for 11 or 12 years. I just recently had to do the tests again. The goo that they use to attach the wires is yucky. And the thought of being watch while I sleep isn’t too great., And after a night without the machine and another one with, I learned that I still need the CPAP. They did up the air pressure so I don’t fall asleep at the computer any more:)