On Monday evening 12/19 I checked into the Sleep Disorder Institute across the street from St. Jude hospital. (My endocrinologist wanted me to be tested).There are 6 bedrooms used each evening for overnight sleep tests. There were 5 "guests" there, although I only saw one. It took about 30 minutes for me to be "hooked up". I had 5-6 electrodes put around the back of my head to test my brain waves during sleep. 2 were put on my forehead, 2 on my cheek bones, 3 on my chin. Then I had 1-2 EKG ones put on my upper chest. 3 on my side, and 3 on each lower leg, to test for leg motion during the night. Then I had loose bands put around my waist and ribs to test "effort" in breathing.
The most common disorder discovered during this type of test is Sleep Apnea (where patients quit breathing many times a night. This is hard on their heart, and keeps them from going into a deep sleep. This can really affect their life, weight, energy levels, etc. A small face mask is prescribed. It is hooked up to an air machine that blows air down the windpipe to keep it open all night.)
I was lastly fitted with a small air tube into my nose & mouth, in case I needed a mask during the night. Amazingly enough, people DO sleep with all of these wires attached! There was an in fared camera above the bed which monitors our movements during the night. As we sleep, technicians sit at a monitor and watch the "waves" (it looks like a seismograph) from all of the electrodes. They also monitor the TV screen. Each technician watches 2 guests all night long. Those who are discovered to have SA are fitted with a mask and air machine during the night, and then monitored to see the improved quality of sleep. They leave early the next morning with a prescription for a mask & machine, etc.
I had originally thought I would be able to leave the next morning and had a full-day scheduled, including another doctor appt. Well, since I don't have SA I had to stay until 5pm to take a 2o minute nap every 2 hours!! I was pretty bummed to think I'd be stuck there all day and silently had an argument with God about it! After praying, I realized that I had asked God to help me focus on Jesus this season and not get lost in the usual "hustle & bustle". Well, I got to stay in my jammies & robe all day, drink tea, not go anywhere, and read! I had Kent Hughes' book on Christ-mas and the new book, "God in the Small Stuff at Christmas" with me, so I had a relaxing day after all. I had to take a 20 minute nap every 2 hours (to see how sleepy I am during the day). I was actually wiped out when I drove home at 5pm! The 20 minute naps just got me to sleep, but then I was awakened, so I felt unrested.
If you dare, scroll down and see the horrible picture of me when I was all hooked up.
The thing around my neck is the wire box that is hooked up to the cable when sleeping. They hung it around my neck when I wasn't in bed. Fortunately, the first thing in the morning the face tubes, leg electrodes and loose bands were removed, so the rest of the day wasn't too bad. The person who "babysat" me all day is a polysomnograhpic specialist. She went from computer to computer analyzing the data and typing up reports & recommendations. I should hear from my doctor within 10 days.
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Heather's bridesmaid, Amber Nunez, is a professional photographer,
The 3 of them used the old artsy buildings in downtown Fullerton for backdrops.
Jeff had Heather's ring made by our jeweler, Larry Schuber. It's beautiful!
Our wonderful daughter!
I love this picture of Kirk seeing Heather in her wedding gown for the first time! Of course, I have more pictures, but I don't want Jeff to see her in her dress before the wedding.
KeriAnn Weber, Jeff's mom, Karen Himes, & I went to David's Bridal to help Heather choose her gown. Keri was a huge help, getting Heather's hair just right with a veil. She will be the Maid-of Honor in the wedding.
Here are Kirk, Heather, Jeff & the Best Man, Jeff Livings, tasting gelato. Since Heather & Jeff met in Italy, the wedding will have an Italian theme. They will be serving 2 flavors of gelato instead of a wedding cake Will it be: Chocolate, strawberries & cream, raspberry with chocoalate slivers or vanilla? Yum!
Here I am outside painting 22 paper pots to look like Roman urns.
Heather is spraying 22 baskets black to hold
On Tuesday, 3/2 I drove Mom & Dad to the House Ear Institute for his cochlear implant "hook-up" appt. It was interesting being on the "watching" end instead of the "new hearer" end. Here are a few photos.
Dad & Mom holding hands-so sweet!
Dad & Mom learning how to use the remote control.
Doctor Dawna Mills is the audiologist who painstakingly programs the processor at each of 4 appts. By the end, he will have 4 custom-built programs just for his needs.
Like father, like daughter. Dawna is so great to work with!
Mom & Dad had not yet looked at the EAR, so they posed by it just like I did.
We ate our picnic lunch on the 5th floor patio overlooking LA and the Hollywood sign. The hospital at the right is where we both had our surgeries.
Here you can see the processor hanging on his ear.
After all the rain we've had, our flowers are all mixed up!
Here Grandpa Stevens is seeing Heather's engagement ring for the first time. Heather got red roses, a card & a California Bride's magazine from Jeff today.
I went to Mina Taylor's on Friday night and had a fun time decorating
The gondolier took this photos of them. :-) Their ride included French bread, salami & cheese, chocolates and sparkling cider.
On Dec. 27, we took off for a vacation in Arizona. The first day we drove to Prescott and enjoyed our stay there. The next day we took the scenic drive through Jerome to Sedona. It is one of the "America's 120 Most Scenic Drives" from the Reader's Digest book with the same name. I am trying to slowly work our way through the book. Here Kirk is standing at the Tuzigoot Monument where Native Americans lived in the 1200's.
Sedona is famous for its beautiful Red Rocks, which surround the city.
We had a spacious room at the Radisson Poco Diablo Resort.
Welcome to Sedona!
One day we drove up to Flagstaff and stopped at the Cracker Barrel Country Store.
The Oak Creek Canyon Vista area was a fun place to throw a few snowballs.
Sedona is the New-Age center of the US because of the "vortexes" that are there.
We went off-roading twice, meeting the Pink Jeeps coming and; going. We were in our warm 4-wheel drive Road Runner at 70 degreees, while the jeeps were open in the 34 degrees snowy weather. Brrrrr!
Kirk bought a turquoise-inlaid pocket knife at the western shop in Sedona.
The last night we were there it snowed. The snow outlined the layers in the red rock, to make a beautiful photo opportunity.
We drove back through Oak Creek on our way out of town. It was beautiful!
Here we are at Slide Rock. (This is where Heidi said that they bring the kids on their way to California. They stop here to play in the creek and slide on the natural water slide -in the summer). We arrived home in the early evening on New Year's Eve. What a wonderful trip!!!
