. . . World War One was underway and Christmas was coming. Newspapers and other media like this story. Here’s an example,
A World War I interlude.
Sunday, Dec 14
CPAP report. Reported figures: 5 hrs 47 min with AHI = 0.00
Up very early to finish my medical treatise to mail to my sleep doctor. I was told the P.O. was open today special hours from 10 to noon, and that my mail would get to Yakima tomorrow. NOT. The female clerk told me no mail was leaving Ellensburg until 3:30 p.m. Monday afternoon. That was not the way planned and told me on Friday by a male desk clerk in the EBRG office, so I am going to drive to Yakima with John tomorrow to deliver it in person, and we will go to Costco while there. Currently am revising it. I washed a load of dishes. I made corrections and additions to my paper. Sunny but cool day today.
Monday, Dec 15
CPAP report. Reported figures: 8 hrs 8 min with AHI = 0.00
Sunny and 28°, after coffee & 1/2 apple fritter, I called Joanie to tell her about music this week and that the Food Bank was no longer usable, and where to come to play Christmas music on Wednesday. When she and Ken left town it was still standing. Then we were off to Yakima to Drs. Kumar and Kim. John drove our blue Forester, and I made a few phone calls before we lost reception because of the deep road cuts through the Yakima Fold Belt. We delivered the summary medical report on my CPAP and Oximetry data observations and interpretation, including comments and questions.
On the way, I called Morris U. to wish him a happy birthday (yesterday), and then talked to another friend on the way out of town. Called two others whose birthdays were today. I made good use of my riding time, and enjoyed the views when I had no reception because of the distance from towers and the cliffs lining the road.
I have been pushing for donations to the Food Bank on the Ellensburg Buy Nothing site, by requesting ISO (In search of) for some items needed. It is a community Facebook page where people freely give items and request others they need. It is a great resource and shows a lot of generous support in giving/sharing within our community. Most recent was a request I posted for Coffee (bags of) and plastic ware for the Food Bank’s Soup Kitchen (where I play music on Wednesdays, see this week’s photo below). My request was answered for both and delivered by a woman today, much appreciated by the volunteer serving crew. Meals are served 4 times a week: lunches at noon on MWF and late afternoon dinner on Saturday. Another wonderful offer came from a woman whose first name is River. She actually lives in Cle Elum, but she posted on another site I saw, trying to get donations for a Food Processor for the Food Bank. I got into a conversation on email with her and found she was previously a caterer and had many large chafing dishes, utensils, tablecloths, and other things she was willing to give to the F.I.S.H. Food Bank. Contacts have already been made and things are happening. Makes me happy.
Tuesday, Dec 16
CPAP report. Reported figures: x hrs x min with AHI = x.xx (unavailable) because I did not have time to transfer from my SD card before leaving and they deleted it when they read off the last 70 days of information. Not sure why, when they had not done that the first 3 times. I will record tonight, and start from scratch with a missed day. I do have the oximetry data.
Visits to doctors today. We awoke to snow, left the house about 9:00 a.m., drove in it for the first 20 miles of our trip, then through some fog, and finally into rain. First appt (foot doctor) was at 10:15, but we were running early, and stopped off at Fred Meyer to use a coupon for $7 off the cost of a package of Almond Roca. While there we found some plastic “food & bread” bags John has been looking for (we use a lot of them), and they were 80 cents less per box than in EBRG, at our normal grocery store.
The 10:15 appointment was timed perfectly – in and out in a flash – and then on to Costco (5 minute trip) for gasoline, shopped for a few things we forgot yesterday, ate lunch, and went for a trip through the nearby Valley Mall (had not been in over 10 years), and found it rather interesting that we knew so few of the businesses. We cannot understand how people can make a living and profit in a business selling just pretzels, and several stores seem to be selling the same stuff. A nearby “Value Village” also had lots of stuff but we didn’t buy anything at either location. So, back west to the Sleep Center. Made it right at 1:00 p.m. for the other appt. with my sleep doctor, Madhukar Kumar, MD, who completed his residency at the University of Chicago and a fellowship at the Michael S. Aldrich Sleep Center at the University of Michigan.
John and I both went to the meeting with him, during which he reviewed my last 70 days of CPAP use from the SD card I brought with me to the appointment. The summary report has many of the same parameters reported as I have been capturing daily on the SleepyHead software. His first comment was that I was doing well on the machine. My AHI was only 0.2 (which I already knew from my observations of the data). He commented that I was a poster child for CPAP and doing well, it was helping me, and I needed to continue in the same way. I had a list of questions for him relating to my “summary report” I had taken him the day before. He had gone through it, and he answered all my questions and John’s as well. An interesting comment was that he wanted me not to freak out at the measured items by the CPAP that are revealed on the SD card. He says that machine cannot adequately measure all the things that are summarized even on his own version of Encore (the professional version). He did say I could contact Phillips Respironics to get access to an edition (I think he said available through the web), to approximate the information at his disposal. He also pointed out many of the summary parameters on his sheet (most of which are also on mine), and reiterated they are flawed (at least not precise), and are only ballpark figures.
The other advice he gave us was to interpret findings from my overnight sleep studies that are on his computer. Some of the figures had not previously been presented to us and certainly not explained as he did during this visit.
He acknowledged my main need for being on the machine is to raise my oxygen saturation percentage level in my blood, to make my organs operate better because my heart is not working efficiently pumping to all the body organ parts. It is obvious while I have a few low % events while on the machine, it displays much less activity than when I’m off the CPAP’s continuous air pressure. He recognizes I do not have the same sleep disorders and needs as many others on a CPAP machine.
I was happy I had taken the time to analyze my data to figure all my questions about the expectations and importance of the data gathered and reported in graphs, nightly, by minute. I am even happier that I bought the oximeter and have been able to include its results (pulse and SpO2%), in my report, synchronized with the CPAP data.
His parting comment was to keep up the good work and continue writing my blog, but not to take the readings too seriously.
Reminder: comments below about the AHI are from HERE.
AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index) is the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour. Or, an index for sleep apnea [with a value of] 5-20 mild, 21-50 moderate, [and] above 50 severe.
APNEA (I do not have): The Greek word “apnea” means “without breath.” You stop breathing during sleep for ten seconds or longer.
HYPOPNEA (I occasionally have one to four hypopneas, but many nights none): During a hypopnea there is airflow through your throat but at a much reduced level, which leads to not getting enough oxygen. [THAT’S THE REASON I’M ON THE CPAP machine.] It’s abnormally shallow breathing lasting at least ten seconds.
Good AHI vs. Bad AHI (another source from same web site):
Less than 5 events (apnea or hypopnea) per hour is considered normal. 5 or more events per hour is considered Mild sleep apnea. 15+ considered Moderate. 30+ considered Severe. (From T. S. Johnson MD, Sleep Apnea – The Phantom of the Night, page 211). [Mine has only topped 1 on 4 occasions in 70 days, and my average for the 70 days since I started, is 0.2.]
We didn’t get home until almost dark. Long day, but worthwhile.
I had to be at Royal Vista, to start Christmas songs at 6:30 with The Connections. I got there a little early to visit with people I know there as residents, but the barbershop chorus was singing. I know at least 3 of them, and I knew all the songs, so I just stood behind them in the doorway and sang along. Most of the singers are men, except for the leader who is female.
Wednesday, Dec 17
CPAP report. Reported figures: 8 hrs 32 min w/ AHI = 0.35
Today started at Mercer Creek Church for the temporary Food Bank location. Food is provided M, W, and F at noon, and Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.
Bob Olsen (singer), Evelyn Heflen (banjo), Nancy Hultquist (fiddle) singing Christmas songs.
We set up at the end of the room and all the tables are in front of us, with the people spread out at 5 or 6 big circular tables, seating about 8 each. The servers did some “dancing” and hand movements as they sang along too. Everyone was seated and eating, so servers didn’t need to be serving. Today we had many folks joining in and having fun, especially on Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, White Christmas, and Blue Christmas, and even Silent Night. Those seemed to be the favorites
After we play music for 40 minutes, we eat. They thank us for playing by feeding us. The menu today was BBQ chicken and noodles with veggies, green salad, artichoke hearts, and a nice pear cake/strudel.
I left there for Mt. View Meadows for only 1/2 hour with Karen Eslinger (accordion), and me. We sang with a few residents who were happy to have us there. I go with her every Christmas, but today, I had to leave early to go to my exercise class. We got in 15 songs before I left. Happily, when I arrived I got to visit with Jay Gorman, who is a resident there and loves music.
I did not have any pictures from Christmas songs at The Meadows, but I do have something to share from our past–a You Tube taken the day before Halloween this year. It’s not the highest quality, but it is cool to see old folks (ages 71, 87, and 92) having fun with their music. I have a hard time playing the melody because I’m so used to playing the harmony, and singing the melody. Without another instrument playing melody or singing makes it sound weak, especially when I drop off the melody. I only picked up my flash drive Friday night on my way home from a party, and was able to put this and the others below on You Tube, on Saturday this week.
Honkytonk Piano Trio Mt View Meadows 10-30-14
SAIL exercise was fine, and from there I went to Super One for some Corn Syrup in case we decide to make Pecan Pie for any upcoming events. From there I drove to a parking lot to meet a friend to pick up some stuff she was carrying for me, and for me to exchange a bag of goodies for her for her grandchildren. The box she gave me was full of Bingo cards, which are going to the Adult Activity Center (freely given from the Ellensburg Buy Nothing (BN) site), and a pair of Khaki pants that fit John. John says they look like something to wear on a sailboat on a cold and windy day. From there I went to Royal Vista to meet Karen again, and we played and sang 25 songs there.
Thursday, Dec 18
CPAP report. Reported figures: 8 hrs 50 min with AHI = 0.14
I spent time last night and morning redoing Away in a Manger in a different key we all could sing. I took music in for our players, and was totally surprised to have the largest number we have had in quite awhile– maybe ever– thirteen!! Two were singers only, but we had a passel of guitars and a mandolin, bells, tambourine (with one of the guitarists), banjo, washtub bass, viola, violin, trumpet, and clarinet. We were at Dry Creek Assisted Living. Evelyn, our banjo player, brought bells for dispersal to all the residents, so they could join in many of the songs, where bells were appropriate. I wish I had one of those on video.
Partway through our performance, our mandolin player, Tim Henebry, got up to listen from the back of the room to see how we sounded. He decided to record two of our songs on his cell phone. Below are the Kittitas Valley Fiddlers and Friends video clips I put on You Tube:
Friday, Dec 19
CPAP report. Reported figures: 6 hrs 24 min with AHI = 0.16
I am going to try explaining last night’s analysis that is consistent with the Sleep Doctor Kumar’s discussion with us on Tuesday afternoon. Below is an image of the results with the oximetry synchronized to the CPAP events recorded. The oximeter measures my pulse and my blood’s oxygen saturation percentage. Last night my calculated AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index) was low, with one hypopnea (shallow breathing) at 5:06 a.m. when my SpO2 was 91, and my pulse was 54, lasting only a few seconds. No apnea (paused breathing) events existed. I slept from about 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. without the CPAP on.
The very top section shows Event Flags. Note the H and the blue mark on its line. If you look to the left at the bars you’ll see where those colors originate and what they refer to.
The top right chart (green) is put in to see the time the CPAP was operating (from 11:36 p.m. to 6:45 a.m.). The middle chart (red) is my pulse that is mostly in the 50s, with some 60s. Check the bottom right chart (blue). SpO2 is the measured oxygen saturation level in my blood, providing oxygen to all my organs. It is supposed to be above 90%.
The breaks in the red and blue lines mark the time when I turned off the CPAP, got up, walked to the bathroom, went to the kitchen to feed Rascal, the cat, and went back to bed, putting the Oximeter back on my finger. The SpO2 is noticeably lower during the time off the machine, while sleeping.
Then, look at the table below (from the Oximeter’s recording):
Significance of that table is that my O2 is below 88% for 4 minutes. The minimum SpO2 is supposed to be 82, but on the magnified charts I have access to, I cannot find it being lower than 84; yet that was when the CPAP machine was not operating. While it was operating, it dropped to 89% but not below. However, look at the blue line above, and see the drop activity on the far right, after the machine was off.
Tonight is an open house party at Paul & Gloria Swanson, neat people, who are friends from my exercise class. There we met friends we have been introduced to at their place before, and another couple we have known through the Kittitas Valley Trail Riders club meetings and rides, which neither of us any longer attends. They had an “open house” from 4:00 -7:00 p.m., but it was more of a sit-down dinner around the dining room table for 8, and the rest of us (6 or 7) in the living room eating from our lap or from the coffee table. I sat on the piano bench. John and I arrived about 5:00. They served baked potatoes with chili and many different toppings (sour cream, cheddar cheese, salsa, green onions), crab cakes and cheese soufflés, cheese/meatballs, Oriental chicken coleslaw, my favorite–deviled eggs, blueberry pastry, and a table full of different cookies and chocolate candies.
After everyone ate, we sat around the living room and had several different conversations going on. Many people were there from their church in Kittitas, but we know a couple of them, and their daughter and hubby. We left about 7:40 and drove to another friend to pick up my flash drive with the 3 videos (you have seen above).
Next week, if I can locate it, I will take my tripod and camera to the gig on Christmas Eve at Hearthstone and attempt to take a video in a more stable environment than the ones Thursday. I am thrilled to have the “record” of us regardless of interruptions while the photographer moved around trying to get us all in the video. I know we will not have that many people next Wednesday, so it is great Tim was able to grab the memories.
Saturday, Dec 20
CPAP report. Reported figures: 6 hrs 41 min with AHI = 0.75
Tonight our trip for dinner and visiting with Tanya and her three children: Andrew, Jessica, and Michael was cancelled because Michael has a serious ear infection, walking pneumonia symptoms, and a nasty cough. Not good. He is 3 years old, so we decided to put it off until he’s well. The rest of our day was spent with normal outside and inside chores.
John cleaned the leftovers from the fridge and made a nice supper, including baked chicken thigh with slice of pineapple, little lima beans, deep fried onion rings John grew and made, and a few coconut battered shrimp (new for tonight).
It has been raining here with snow in the mountains. We may (or may not) have a white Christmas here on the Fan. Here is the current outlook:
Hope your week was fine.
Nancy and John
Still on the Naneum Fan