Masks

Hi.  It's me again!  5 years later.  I'm still on this wild ride, a little further from my fitness and health goals.  But I am still on the way!

When you are seated on an airplane and are preparing for take-off, what is one of the things that flight attendants instruct you to do for safety?

"Place your own oxygen mask on your face before assisting others."  

Right? We know this.  It makes sense. And yet, it is so hard to do in the midst of life's demands. Especially when traveling this journey with children and those who require assistance, it is vital to place your own oxygen mask first before assisting others.  

Ooopsies.  I forgot. 

This is the story of how I was reminded.  

So, I am exhausted all the time.  I also have five children.  I began seeing health professionals to see if my exhaustion had other roots besides mothering five children.  That questioning led me down a path of various testing, one of which was a sleep study.  

Turns out I stop breathing over and over again within an hour.  My body was just trying to survive the night, certainly not resting and restoring for the next day.  

I was prescribed CPAP therapy, continuous positive airway pressure, for sleeping.  This CPAP machine has tubes, and you guessed it: a MASK.  You can probably picture this ultra sexy contraption strapped to my face already, but in case you cannot, here is a photo.  

You're welcome.  I mean, pretty damn cute, right? I like to keep things real around here.  {Notice, my also ultra sexy Vanity Fair gown. Hello, Mamaw.}  

Ahem, I digress.  

Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, has told me just how wonderful I am going to feel with my CPAP.  Once I am getting a full night's sleep, I am going to be so refreshed.  I am going to be so energized.  I would finally have the energy to care for my family the way I want to!  

I was going to literally have to put on my mask before assisting others. 

But, I had to get over myself because of 1) Shame. How did I get to this place at my young age where I have to have this contraption?  Isn't this needed for older folk?  And when did my weight get this out of control? 2) I mean really.  This thing is not attractive.  Think Snuffalufagus.  Will my man still think I'm hot before I wear the mask?  Will he see me the same way?  3) How the hell will I actually fall asleep with something strapped to my face?  I loathe anything restricting anything, anywhere on my body. 

I had to try.  1) and 2) proved to be non-issues.  3) was definitely an issue.  I am still getting some help with this one.  

I put my mask on every night in hopes that it will help restore and refresh my body. The jury is still out.  I am not yet feeling wonderfully refreshed.  I am getting a full nights sleep though!  That's improvement.  I still have hope!  I desire to live abundantly and fully for my family and myself, and this CPAP and it's mask are some of the tools to help me along the way.  

I will continue to share more of my journey and the tools I'm using along the way!