Still breathing...

[susandennis]

While the doctor, yesterday, was looking in my mouth and punching around my neck, he asked "have you ever been diagnosed with sleep apnea?" I told him that I had not but I was sure I had it. I can't handle the idea of sleeping with that machine so I live in denial. Breathe Right strips and sleeping on an incline.

Most nights that combo works pretty darned well. Last night, not so much. But, even when it doesn't work, no biggie. If I get sleepy in the day, I go to sleep. The Misfit Flash I ordered it supposed to track sleeping too. That might be interesting. I was grateful that today was an early swim day.

The doctor also asked me yesterday how, exactly, I breathe when I swim. I could not tell him. (genius, right?). This morning I found out. I breathe in through my mouth and out through my nose.

Also this morning, while waiting for the group who trains before our swim time to finish, I was chatting with Mary the lifeguard who is also a swim coach. She was giving me critics of the swimmers' bad forms. I told her I'd love to know what I was doing wrong or could be doing better. Please!

So after my first lap, she and Sophie (the other lifeguard) told me that I was picking my head up too high out of the water. I turn my head to the right and when I do so, my left ear should say in the water. And it wasn't. So that's what I worked on today and it was great. (Also I got kudos from both of them for my nail color. Bonus!)

Today is delivery day. I ordered some stuff from Amazon and picked slow delivery (give me that $1 ebook/music credit, please) and some other stuff for regular two day and then one thing for SEND IT FAST, please. And all of it... arrives today. 3 pkg via USPS - they should be here about noonish. One via Ontrack. It should be here about 1ish and One via UPS - I'm guessing about 2.

A handbag (purse?), a wireless extender/switch (dual band to replace my 2.5mhz which keeps dropping out on me), the Misfit Flash, a mini LED string of lights for the kitchen, a plastic wrap dispenser and 5 pounds of spearmint leaf gumdrops.

So big day here. Plus now I have to squeeze in a 20 minute walk or at least a 10 minute one or at least something. I'm cool with starting slow but not starting is not an option.

But, first there needs to be some breakfast.

Comments

[one-raido.livejournal.com]

While I can't get a visual, feel free to ask me anything about swimming. Technique is my specialty and I have lots of videos I could point you to. Not sure if they told you why to keep your head level on your breath, and you didn't ask, but I'll offer. Any head-up swimming creates an up-hill effort. It pushes your lower half deeper in the water. When you keep your ear ion the water you also keep your lower half higher.

I think my sister has sleep apnea, too, and she feels the same way, that she's not going to wear that contraption. But after listening to her breathe on our trip, I'm worried about her. I can hear her stop breathing, then suddenly suck in air and go back to breathing.

[susandennis]

Oh Youtube videos are a great help but I can't seem to translate since I can't see me. The downside of the head thing, tho, is that I lose my constant busybody view of everybody else in the pool! But, the up side besides what you are saying which is great, is that my neck feels fantastic this morning!

And, thank you for your offer.

And, yeah, not breathing at night could be an issue but I'm ok with the risk.

[litlebanana.livejournal.com]

My husband has sleep apnea really bad, and apparently there's a new device that works differently that doesn't involve a mask on your face. It's expensive, but the insurance might cover it. Something to look into maybe.

[susandennis]

OOOH! will do. Thanks!!

Sleep Appliances

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Susan, I'm sending this link just so you can have another option to know about that doesn't use the old mask and machine. Just for information. While I know she is an excellent dentist(she is mine), I know nothing of the Oral Appliances she provides.

http://www.dentistrywithtlc.net/

Good luck to you.

Frank

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

«She was giving me critics of the swimmers' bad forms.»

"critiques"

[susandennis]

Oh how you do love to find and tell me about my errors.

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

ooop, sorry, i'll stop

[waitingonsunday.livejournal.com]

I shudder to think what those lifeguards would think of my swimming form. I always feel like a frog, never really picked up the breaststroke. I haven't really swam much since I was little kid.

It's interesting to think of someone analyzing your form, though! It was nice of them to give you some pointers.

[susandennis]

I only really do one stroke - what we used to call American Crawl. I'm delighted to get pointers - it's like free swimming lessons. And I have TONS of pointers that I need!

While I know the lifeguards at least silently judge every swimmer, it did take my asking several times over the course of weeks to get them to actually tell me what they thought I could do better.

[lookfar.livejournal.com]

I would say it is a big big day when you eat five pounds of spearmint leaves.