Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Sleep Apnea & Bed Risers

+
JMJ

I have moderate sleep apnea and snore like the proverbial tank. Nasal strips helped only superficially and I get congested using a cpap machine. A controlled air pressure machine (cpap) is the prescribed treatment for sleep apnea in many cases. After putting off the overnight sleep test for a couple years until I finally did it to get the prescription for the cpap machine. The cpap machine does not help much if one gets too congested to breathe thru the nose or as in my case cannot really fall asleep with the darn thing--I stayed up half the night trying to fall asleep with it & got more frustrated.

My brother's mother in law is a nurse and told me that sleeping on an incline might help-and it does. My chest and torso weight does not block my breathing as much. One can put a cinder block under one side of the bed or go to bed bath & beyond & buy some bed risers (under $20) to put under the wheels on one side of the bed to sleep on an incline (with the head elevated). There are also inclined pillows shaped like ramps or a wedge, which can increase the angle. I sleep longer and breathe somewhat better with the incline and it is easier to roll out f bed in the morning. I even put my sofa on an incline for when I sleep there. Pax Christi.

Monday, February 5, 2007

A straight sure Road to Heaven


+

As a sinner and a backslider, I need all the help spiritually I am allowed. The shortest, most sure and best road to Jesus is through His holy Mother, Our Lady. She is human like us but chosen by God to be the Mother of His only Son, Jesus. She is our real Spiritual mother and our best friend after Jesus, who is God the Son, true God and true Man. The spirituality of True Devotion to Mary as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort is true and approved by the Holy Catholic Church and many holy Popes, including Pope John Paul II whose motto Totus Tuus is based upon this spirituality of total consecration to Jesus through Mary, Jesus' human Mother.

Sunday, February 4, 2007

12 Steps


+

It really helps to get to a 12 step group (such as Al-Anon or AA) and to listen and to share experience , strength & hope. Listening to others share their experiences dealing with their problems and issues with courage, wisdom and innovation. The groups encourage gratitude and focusing on ones' self in a constructive way, the 12 steps and the serenity prayer and slogans are some of the tools of the program. Step 11 encourages a practical relationship with God and praying and meditiating for God's Will and guidance. As a Catholic, I understand this as Christian meditaion on the Bible and spirtitual reading and listening to God and thinking about Him. The Rosary has a meditative aspect also.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

March For Life 2007


+
A relatively cold day but it was okay once you were walking if properly attired. Saw some old friends & aquantances and called some family & others on my cell which was different.
Jesus Mercy on the born and the preborn. Our lady of Mercy pray for us!