Respiratory Distress

I saw my doctor today, more specifically, my handsome otolaryngologist. Two years ago this Thanksgiving I had the first of hopefully only two surgeries to treat my obstructive sleep apnea.

And I am now in emotional distress, respiratory.

My understanding from the last procedure is that this would be a two-parter--two procedures not performed simultaneously as the body and airway couldn't handle all that stress at once. The second surgery, to remove some of my soft palate, I could postpone for a year or two. The first year I postponed it to take a trip to Europe. Now I have been biding my time to accrue the three weeks of sick days necessary for the painful recovery period.

I met with the doctor today to review the procedures so I could clear it with my medical plan. We are in the open enrollment period here are work and I need to decide to change my health plan or not--and decide how much to put in a HCRA account to cover the difference (pay withheld on a pre-tax basis for medical expenses).

I met with Dr. K today, and it seems it is more complicated than that. After reviewing my video from the last time, a "simple" palate reduction might not do it. He has also recommended genioglossus advancement-- a procedure in which they cut a hole in the jaw behind the lower lip and under the teeth and then pull the tongue through to move the tongue forward (YIPES!) a teensy bit; hyoid suspension (ew), and/or tongue radiofrequency-which has serious risks to taste and swallowing ability.

My snoring is insane, and the obstructive apnea is slowing killing me. I desperately need a good night's sleep. Brother Mac has been using a CPAP mask/machine, but I really don't want to spent the rest of my life, much less my remaining dating life, hooked up to a machine just so I can sleep better.

Dr. K. gave me a week to read about these procedures and come back and plan what we'll do. I'm okay with the palate surgery, and he'll take out the tonsils while he's in there. It'll hurt, but it should stop a lot of the obstruction, and hopefully most (dare to dream--all) of the snoring.

The other three I am rating, respectively: (1) Are you freaking INSANE? (2) Uh, I'm on "no." and (3) after reading the risks, I'd rather not.

Criminey. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. But Kevin wants me to schedule my surgery to coincide with his (shoulder) so we can recuperate with DVDs and painkillers together.