Monday, December 27, 2010

The Holidays



Christmas has come and gone already which is so hard to believe.  I do not know where the time went.  For awhile there, I didn't think we'd have much of a Christmas at all as things got a bit more hectic than usual.

On December the 15, I was giving our little gray dog, Pudding, a bath and noticed a nasty lump on her back.   I called the vet and they graciously allowed me to bring her right in, around 5PM that very night.  Turns out the lump was nothing to worry about too much, the vet put her on antibiotics and it seems to be healing.  Since she is eleven years old, many thoughts crossed my mind, and I was glad I did not have to face any impossible decisions just yet.   She is eating and romping around just fine, so thankfully, this time, she should be ok.

Joel had driven Pudding and I to the vet and since it was rather late at night and I hadn't a clue what I was going to make for supper, we stopped at a fast food restaurant and brought supper home with us.  Carl and Joel ordered the usual fare, and I opted for something different, which was tasty, but by 2AM that night, I found myself in dire straits, even sicker than my proverbial dog.  I don't know if it was the food or a virus, but whatever it was, it was nasty.  My timing was impeccable, I was supposed to be going  for my second sleep study the next day, and was so looking forward to getting it over with before the first of the year. Alas, it was not to be.

I thought maybe it would be a 24 hour bug, but it turned out to be a lot longer than that, almost five days later, before I finally felt a bit better.  No one else in the house fell ill, thankfully,  so whatever it was, it was my own private plague.  (Maybe that's what I get for not cooking??)  Psychosomatic or not, it will be a long time before I visit that fast food restaurant again. 

Luckily, I was able to reschedule the sleep test for December 22, which was last week Monday.  I went back into the hospital and got all wired up for the second time.  Once again, I crawled into bed and tried to sleep, just like the first test, but now with the addition of a sleep apnea mask on my head.  Oh, dear....I had no idea the masks were so tight.  I'm hoping that's something that can be adjusted because I have to admit, the thing was far from comfortable and I sure was not having any better luck sleeping, so the technician brought me another sleeping pill.  I think I could have used two or three sleeping pills, but she said I did fall asleep eventually.  She tried four different face masks on me, from one that just covered my nose to a full face mask, which I ended up with since, apparently, I open my mouth a lot.  Figures, I can't keep my mouth shut even when I'm asleep.

I still don't know what the results of the study were, but I guess I'll hear from them eventually.  One thing I do know the result of, the sight of myself in a sleep apnea mask is not one I will soon forget, wow..!

Of course, being sick set my Christmas preparations way behind, and since I am a Procrastinatoe in the first place, you can imagine how far behind I was.  I managed to write out Christmas cards while I was sick, but then had a few 'Returned to Sender' because I forgot to put stamps on them.  Good grief.  I can only imagine what the postman thought. (At least none of the cards I sent out with proper postage came back that way.)

Just before Christmas, I finally started to feel more healthy and enthusiastic and managed to get my Christmas sewing done even though I burned a lot of midnight oil in the process. We had a very nice Christmas Day with Mom and Ann as our guests.
2009's Poinsettia Lamp

Carl has a few days off of work, so we are trying to reorganize the sewing room and stained glass studio so I can finish up some sewing projects and we can get back to work on our next stained glass lamp.  Last year we somehow found the time to work on the Pachyberm right up until the first week in December and had a good start on our Poinsettia lamp.  This year didn't work out quite as well, but we do have a lot of winter in front of us yet; we should be able to get at least one shade made before spring.

If we don't procrastinate.

But, hey, if I get my sleep problem treated, maybe I'll find I have a lot more energy.  So far, I have found people divided into two camps, those who have CPAP machines who feel their lives have changed for the better, in some cases, amazingly so much better, to those who dislike the machines and don't think it helps much at all.  After listening to my snoring when I tape recorded myself, I really don't know if it would be possible to have a worse night's sleep then I do now. If I ever do get a machine,  I sure hope I'm in the first camp.  I can always hope, right? 

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen, I too can not sleep because I had dental surgery today. It feels like my jaw is broken, yet I refuse to take the narcotics prescribed. I too could never sleep with a mask. I feel for your plight right now.

Your lamp is beautiful and I was wondering if this is your design or a pattern. My teacher had many patterns, but I was the rebel of the class who designed her own patterns to cut from. I never made a lamp though. It would take a very long time.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Karen, I am glad Pudding is okay, and you too. It is not fun being sick over the holidays. The lamp is beautiful.

Eileen

Junebug said...

The lamp is absolutly beautiful! I'm so glad you are feeling better, now just get a good night sleep. Here to a wonderful New Year!

Carol said...

Happy Fourth Day of Christmas Karen! Just when you thought it was all over! ;>)) I love your lamp shade! Beautiful. I sure wish you a very sleep filled New Year! Just enough to help your energy soar.

Alison said...

I'm glad you eventually managed to have a great Christmas! Sorry to hear you were sick. Many years ago I had something similar right before Thanksgiving, I was horribly sick for two weeks, and had to go into the hospital to get IV fluids.

I am hoping for the New Year that you get a resolution to your health and sleep problems. I have insomnia too, so I know how it can take over your life and sap all your energy.

Can't wait to see your new lamp!

Jester said...

HI Karen!
Glad you & pudding are feeling better...just what is it with 2:00am anyway...I woke up sick Christams night the same time...
I would be very interested in hearing more about your sleep apnea, apparently I freak my husband out with spasms, gagging & such when I sleep...& snore...but I will deny that if you ever repeat that!! When I do sleep, I dream ALL the time, its like going to a movie marathon every night. Does that happen to you to?
Your lamp is absolutely beautiful!!!!How long does it take you to do one of them? Do you guys sell them or do you do stained glass just as a hobby??
I'm on break now so I plan on being back soon to read your whole series on the Quarry Garden(in between trying to learn some new softwsre for school UGH), I am soooooooooooo freakin envious I could spit!

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Welcome back Karen, I was wondering if you were sick or had finally fallen asleep and nobody could get you awake!LOL I'm glad your Christmas turned out good and the doggy will be all right! What a beautiful lamp! My husband is trying to get back at his hobby of stained glass work, I think he's out of practice and short on patience, so we'll see if he gets anything made this winter?? I'm glad you're feeling better...all the Christmas goodies and running around has got me down on the couch today! Have a restful week hope you can get some sleep too!!

Carolyn ♥ said...

So sorry for all your drama of late, hopw you find some time just for you. Looks like you had a White Christmas!

Ginny said...

What a beautiful lamp! So sorry that you were sick in the midst of Christmas preparations. I hope the New Year brings you nights of sound sleeping and days full of energy. I've heard several say that the mask saved their lives and their marriages!

Karen said...

Donna, sorry to hear about your dental surgery, ouch! Thanks about the lamp; no it is not our own design but is a copy of an original Tiffany done by a very talented friend of ours who loaned us her pattern. With your artistic talent, there would be no limit to what you could create in stained glass!

Karen said...

Thank you, Eileen, Pudding is very dear to us and we were glad it's just minor.

June, thank you, and I am looking forward to a good night's sleep soon.

Carol, thank you, too, and boy, could I use the energy!

Alison, I don't know what I caught and/or ate, but wow, it wasn't a fun time. I was lucky not to be as ill as you were; it doesn't take long to become dehydrated. I am at an age now where I really, really need my 'beauty sleep', ha, and it's starting to show!

Hi Jester, yes 2 AM seems like the magical hour, doesn't it? If you stop breathing when you sleep like I do, do you feel really tired when you wake up? Headaches? Legs bother you? High blood pressure, cholesterol, depression bouts? Could be sleep apnea, especially if you wake up gasping for air. Like I said, I tape recorded myself with an MP3 player and was amazed, all that racket could NOT be coming from dear old lady-like me, but it was! I'll keep you posted on what happens next...

As far as the lamps go, we've made five of them so far, and they do take a very long time to make...the smallest shade has 420 pieces and the most elaborate had just under 1800 pieces of glass. We've been making them for heirlooms for our sons; I guess I would make them to sell if someone wanted one, but no one ever expressed interest, lol.
I loved your contributions over at Life's Highway, hilarious!

Karen said...

Hi Lisa, no Sleeping Beauty, I ain't...not yet...but hopefully SOON if I get a machine. I was glad to hear you had a wonderful Christmas, too. What does your husband make in stained glass? It is such a fun hobby.

Meredehuit, yes, Drama is never far from my door lately, lol. I must stop this! Oh, yes, we had a very white Christmas, time to get the x-country skis out.

Ginny, thank you! I hope the machine works 'if and when' I get one. I must have the world's most patient husband because he says I don't snore that badly. (Maybe I should have his hearing tested??).

Lona said...

Hi Karen. My daughter has Sleep Apnea and she could not wear an oxygen mask so they set her up with a dentist who fitted her with a mouth guard that adjusts your lower jaw so that your breathing is easier. Hers is under control now. That might be an option you may want to consider if it comes to that. The masks are just so cumbersome to get use to.
Glad you are feeling better. You must have had a real case of the flu or a touch of food poisoning.
Have a Blessed New Year Karen!

Larry said...

Hi Karen... an excellent picture of the beauttiful poinsettia! I'm still at the magnolia... slowed down by my right shoulder... the latest is the surgeon says I need a shoulder replacement... I say no way... I've heard some pretty bad reports! After the magnolia, it will be a lotus commission... that'll keep me busy for awhile! Hi to Carl and Joel... Larry

Diana LaMarre said...

Karen,

I wondered what happened to your posts! I am glad to hear you are finally feeling better

That 2009 Poinsettia Lamp is gorgeous!

glad to hear that PUdding is OK.

Happy New Year to you and your family. Maybe 2011 will be the year you finally get a good night's sleep!

Rosemary said...

Hopefully with all is behind you and the new year will bring only wonderful things. Happy New Year

Karen said...

Lona, thank you! I will have to look into the dental appliance for the sleep apnea to see if it is a possibility. The mask is going to be a chore to get used to, I can see it already.

Larry, I am sorry to hear about the need for shoulder surgery, though I do know two people who recently underwent it and said they were glad they did. I know the recovery is no fun. I hope you can find other options.
I can't wait to see the magnolia completed.

Zoey, thank you, yes, we are glad Pudding is doing fine, too. Still working on getting a good night's sleep, thank you for the good wishes.

Thank you, Rosemary, I hope you have a wonderful New Year, too!