Message posted by Mary MacRae ( MairiBhan@aol.com) on 10:9:22 9/20/97
Message: Hi... I have lived with the effects of obstructive sleep apnea from the age of eight. Initially, I couldn't find any reading material to explain what I was going through unless it was written by doctors, for doctors. I felt too tired to try to decipher the medical jargon. Public understanding or support was almost nonexistant. Because of this, I decided to write my personal experiences, from childhood on in book form so others could gain from them. I wrote about the impact of OSA on children, school, work, memory, concentration, and day-to-day sickness. I included information about surgeries available and what to expect from them. I also discussed the treatment received in hospitals and insurance issues. My goal is to help the victims of sleep apnea as well as those associated with them. Five doctors have read my manuscript. Each one of them has said that this is a book doctors should read. One hour a month across the desk does not explain what the life of a sleep apnea victim is actually like. Also, people associated with (either the patients or spouces) sleep apnea have read this. One couple got back together because of the understanding they gained. Two others were encouraged, pursued, and instead of giving up had surgery which has helped them live a full life. Since 1982 I have had several surgeries to correct my apnea, both in Seattle and at the Stanford Hospital in California. Prior to surgery I tried the CPAP respirator, Bi-PAP respirator, used prescribed medications, sought psychiatric help, tried bio-feedback, worked with a hypno-therapist and a naturopathic physician. I would like to find out if this manuscript would be of interest to people impacted by sleep apnea. If so, I will publish it. Please respond and let me know if you are interested. If there is enough interest, I will publish the book. Also, feel free to ask me any questions now. I am not a doctor, so I cannot help in that way. However, perhaps I can provide information or encouragement. Thank you in advance for your response and best wishes in your quest for a restful night's sleep. Mary