CPAP

I have Apnoea.  Obstructive sleep apnoea.  I don't snore.  I don't gasp for breath while sleeping.  I had no symptoms.

It was discovered while I was trying to get to the bottom of a health issue.   The Respiratory consultant I'd paid to see suggested a sleep test to rule Apnoea in or out.    I paid for the sleep study and did it in january last year, and it didn't appear to show anything to serious.   I discussed it with the Respirtatory chap and agreed that I'd talk to an Apnoea specialist consultant to see whether I could try a CPAP to definitely rule it in or out.

I saw her in November, and her view was different to that of the Respiratory chap.  She looked in detail at the study, and diagnosed that I had Postional Sleep Apnoea. She recommended a CPAP, but said that I might be able to resolve the symptoms with a device which stopped me sleeping on my back. She suggested a couple of htin

I did it to rule it out  and I only paid for the sleep test because I wanted to rule it out as the cause of my underlying issue.

I did the sleep test last July,. The Respiratory consultant wasn't too concerned,  the results showed only mild apnoea.    We agreed I'd see a specialist Apnoea consultant to explore trying a CPAP machine to see if it helped.   The request got mislaid, and I didn't see the Apnoea consultant until November.

She recommended a CPAP because my "mild apnoea" was misleading.  On my back, I have "moderate" apnoea,  and I spend at leasy 50% of the night sleeping on my back.

She explained to me what Apnoea really is, and how it is such a dangerous condition.  It contributes to many deaths a year.   It was so much more serious than I thought. 

The alternative was to try something to prevent me sleeping on my back.

I did this, and it did help.

After 3 months, my brain fog was clearing, and I was managing my symptoms quite well.

One night, I had a complete fail using the device that keeps me off my back.  The effect of that was a dreadful, necessary, reminder that I was only managing the symptoms.  

Eventually, I concluded that I'd have to go down the CPAP route. 

Around this time, my brother and I visited our parents together.  I'd mentioned to him a few years ago that I thought he had apnoea,  but this was before I really understood what apnoea was and how dangerous it was.

This time, after the first night when his snoring and breathing sounded worse than I remembered, I had my O2 ring and I convinced him to try it.    He agreed, mainly to shut me up.

The next morning, I loaded the results of his sleep,  and we just looked at each other.  The results were..... shocking.    He contacted his GP when we got home, to try and get a sleep test booked.  The GP wasn't keen, suggesting that he try nasal steroids first.

I mentioned to my brother that Hope2Sleep did sleep studies,  and the cost was much less than I paid for mine.   He decided he'd get one done through them,  and then he could use that to get his GP to refer him to the sleep clinic.

Having made the decision to get a CPAP,   I just wanted to get it sorted,  and I arranged to go to Hull to get a machine, and to try on some masks so I could get one fitted for me.   Masks aren't cheap, and I couldn't afford to buy a few to try.   

I bought a machine, my brother picked up the equipment to do the sleep study, and that was that.

I started on CPAP therapy 9 nights ago, and it was definitely the right decision. 

For my brother, the sleep study refecled what the O2 ring suggested was going on,  and he started on CPAP therapy last night.      

 It's literally saving his life.

A Hull of a trip

I've just got back from a lovely, and successful, overnight trip to Hull.

The purpose of the trip was to visit the Hope2Sleep charity shop, and get fitted CPAP.    I mentioned to my DB that I was going, and he came along as well so that he could get fitted too. He's doing a self funded sleep study this weekend, and he was considering whether to buy a machine as there seems to be a long lead time via the NHS.

I booked a little AirB&B flat in Hull's Old Town area.  It was a lucky pick,  as we were right in the Old Town by the Minster.    The owners allowed us to "check in" early,  so we were able to drop off our bags, have a cup of tea, and have a quick stroll round the immediate area  before going on to our appointment at the Hope2Sleep charity.  The walk showed us some lovely places, including the beautiful building s of the indoor covered market.

The appointment was well worth the whole cost of the trip, and I may write about that separately.

Afterwards, we drove the couple of miles back, and drove around te city to see what was where.  We had a detailed drive round the Old Town, looking at places we might want to visit on foot.  Back at the flat, we unloaded my CPAP purchases, had a cup of tea,  and then decided we's go for a walk and get some dinner.

We walked to the old Fruit Market area. which was just the other side of a horrendous dual carriageway.   The whole area is being regenerated and was lovely.  We found Bert's, which was an independent Italian/Pizzeria. It turned out that Bert has two places,  one a lovely italian, and the other a huuuuuuuuge pizza place.    It was only when we were seated at our table and I saw there were, after all, no wood fired pizza on the menu that I realised I really fancied a pizza.   I apologised, and we asked for directions to the other place.

It was really lovely.  The food was excellent.   We walked around for ages afterwards, with DB looking at all the things he wanted to photograph.

The developments look like initially it was a  clearing-the-old-and-chuck-up-cheap-accommodation exercise, but then a more thoughtful and sympathetic  regeneration took over. I don't kno if that's true, but that's how it seemed to me.

The next morning we went out early so that DB could photograph stuff, and we walked a looooooong way.  He wanted to photograph the Humber Bridge, and we decided to go home via the bridge so hge could do it. I mentioned that when I'd been on a course with Jane White Tuition, at Barton upon Hu,ber, the view of the bridge from the are a where her studio was located was superb

 On our way back to the flat, we passed a bakery which was open (most of the interesting cafes didn't open until 10), and they had a board outside saying they served brunch.  We went in.

It was fab.  It was a family run bakery and cafe,  Hearth, and the quality was outstanding. Well worth the money. Well worth a detour, in fact.

We set off home.

We crossed the Bridge, and DB noticed a sign saying that there was a viewpoint for the bridge.   We followed the signs, and followed them, and followed them.  To my amusement, we ended up in Barton upon Humber.    I laughed out loud when the signs stopped right by the place where Jane's studio is.   I didn't pop in, she was running a course that day.

 

 

Freedom!

DH kindly spent a large chunk of yesterday getting the garden ready for today: Freedom Day.

He removed and carefully folded all the top netting, storing it safely for when it will doubtless be needed again.   He tool down nearly all thealuminium poles which supported the netting,  leaving just the ones which make the entrance into the Gitls area.

He pegged out chicken netting to provide a corridor from the run door to the area that we're giving them to range in,  an area they haven't been on for nearly a year.   He went round a secured the bottom of the netting, to try and prevent our under-escapees from doing their tricks.   

He cut the grass, as it was really long - too long for chooks.

This morning, we let them out, and had to herd them down the corridor.

Within minutes, Fay was out. 

She knows full well that she isn't meant to be out.  If we open the door to go out, she runs off and jumps back in to the correct area,

This continued all day,  with DH eventually boiling over in frustration. 

 He is, understandably, worried about the stuff in the veg beds,  and the grass seed that he has sown elsewhere.    It's no help fencing those areas off,  Fay will still get in.    Clipping a wing makes no difference.  Nothing makes a difference.

And now it's 3pm, and they are all huddled in one bit, where they can watch for the kitchen door to open.  They want their evening treats.

And I'm off to do that now.

 

 

Tendonipathy

I've had Plantar Fasciitis for a few months now and, despite me doing the usual exercises for it,  it's still extremely painful.  Last week on the boat, it felt like I was stepping on the point of a sharp knife.

When I got home, I ordered a couple of pairs of Skechers from Costco, they arrived super fast and eased things a little.

One of my friends (the lovely D, who looked after the house for us) had this, and was helped very much by a fairly local clinic that used Shockwave therapy.    The Physio I go to also has a Shockwave machine, and I've been considering getting treatment there for weeks. I'm not sure why I didn't just get on with it,

Anyway,   D recommended the person who helped her so I decided to go there instead. I had my first appointment on Wednesday (2 days ago).

It's not Plantar Fasciitis, it's Tendonipathy.   The solution is stretch and strengthen, and she did a lot of work on my foot and calf,  She taped my calf up, and I have a series of exercises to do.

I was absolutely shattered that night, had a rough night, and had trouble getting up yesterday.  Last night was better.

I've been trying to keep the trapping dry in the shower, using cling film (fail) then a bag and clingfilm (fail).  I should have just ordered one of those leg things,  and I might do that (although it's probably to late now). 

Disappointment

A couple of days ago, Miss Teen asked if she could stay over on Tuesday night.   I was really pleased, and asked her to bring clothes she didn't mind getting filthy, as we needed to clean the chicken coops.  She agreed.

When she arrived yesterday,  she mentioned that she was going out on Wednesday afternoon.  I said that was fine, I had a hospital appointment anyway, so we'd need to get up early to do the coops.    I already knew she wasn't going to get up.

This morning, I was out doing the coops by 8.30, a little later than I had planned (rough night).    She didn't appear, of course,  but I had expected this was the case.

It was hard work on my back and my feet.

I did both coops, taking them apart, emptying them, cleaning everything, moving the removable bits round to the patio so they could dry in the sun.     I disinfected them both, and I disinfected all the parts.  I started on the 3rd coop,  the one for the newbies,  while I was waiting for the other two to dry off.

I came in to the house briefly - can't remember why - and Miss Teen was sitting in the kitchen eating pancakes.  I was filled with momentary annoyance, and found myself saying "Thanks for your help"... and aslking back out again.

The momentary annoyance subsided, but I was feeling quite... hurt.   It was one thing for her to not get up,  but to get up and see me doing it all and then stopping to make and eat pancakes was just really not on. 

She knows I'm not particularly able bodied at the moment!   

I know she's a teenager,   that's why I wasn't annoyed when she failed to show up.  But the getting up, realising I'd been out there for an hour and a half already, seeing that I was still going,  and then not coming out to say anything, and then casually making herself pancakes.....     That was just not on. 

I thought about the best way to handle it, I didn't want to overreact but I did want her to understand what had happened.   I decided that when she apologised,  I'd ask her what she was apologising for.  I expected that she would say "for not getting up", and I would say that she didn't need t apologise for that,  I had realised she wasn't going to get up. And then I'd explain what it was that had upset me.    I felt quite calm by then.

I finished what I was doing, put everything back together,   refilled the nestboxes, put everything away.   I came back in when all was done, and went to have a shower.   When I'd finished, DH brought me a cup of tea and said that Miss Teen's mum was collecting her any minute.

I got dressed, came downstairs,  and Miss Teen reappeared (having gone off to put her makeup on).    I swallowed my hurt, and we chatted for a few mins while I got the stuff out to make breakfast.  

No apology,  nothing.

If her Mum's arrival hadn't been imminent, I would have brought the subject up.  But it was, and I didn't.

She went off  cheerily, saying she'd see us on Tuesday.

 

Remembering

One of the breeds the buyer has is Silver Laced Barnevelders.    I was soooooo tempted to include one of those in my choice of 3 hens.    I resisted.

Thinking about it - about Silvia and the two gorgeous cockerels - made me think about the whole of that  horrible time all over again.

When the first Covid lockdown was announced,  we were still allowed to go out once a day to tend to our animals.   

At the time, we had many hens, and 2 beautiful Silverlaced Barnevelder boys, on the allotment.    We had already discussed what we would do if a Lockdown was imposed,  and as soon as it was announced we implemented our Plan.

Because of the nature of the virus, and how little we knew about it,   we were concerned that both of us might be ill at the same time, too ill to go and see to the birds.    We decided that we would reduce the number of birds on the allotment, so that there would be enough water (and food, they always had plenty of food available) to last them for a couple of weeks if we were both struck down at the same time.

We reviewed all the birds.  Some were too rickety to bring home,  we were concerned that shock of the move might finish some of them off.   We needed to leave enough younger girls down there so that the boys didn't cause a nuisance to the Oldies.     In the end, we selected a group of girls to bring back home,  and we brought one of their coops as well.    We thought it would only be for a few weeks, so we kept them separate.

It all worked well.  We didn't have the garden space for separate free ranging, so we knew we'd have to let them free range together - but we'd keep the 2 flocks separate otherwise.

March 2020 - Gardeners and some of the Allotmenteers

As time went on, it became more of a problem.   The flocks were starting to mingle,  there was some aggression and bullying.      Two of our Garden Girls were due to go and live at the Allotment,  so we thought it might be a good idea to star getting them to mingle with the Allotmenteers.   

Meanwhile, at the allotment, one of the six girls we'd left behind died (of old age).  The boys now only had 5 girls between them, including Nora, who was ancient and blind in one eye.  The last thing she needed was the attention of 2 randy cockerels.

At home, the noise level increased as the girls vied for position.  The morning shenanigans started to become a problem, and we had to do something.   We decided that we'd send 5 girls to the Allotment.  

One was an Allotmenteer, Annie, one of my favourites.  She had been unhappy since she had arrived, and she was calling calling calling.  We don't know if it was for one of the boys, or perhaps we had inadvertently separated her from her bestie.   Two were the two Leghorns (Summer and Blondie) who were earmarked as future Allotmenteers anyway. We also decided to send Sasha the Appenzeller, and Fay the Fayoumi, because they were the two noisiest girls and we figured that there would be fewer unknown hens for the two Leghorns to deal with.  Fay and Sasha were more than capable of looking after themselves.  We did this on Tuesday 21st April, 2020.

On Sunday 26th April, when I got to the allotment,  thieves had been.

They had tried to steal birds from the shed, but hadn't been able to get in. They had damaged the auto opener,  they had used a trough to try and scare the birds into coming out, but this had failed.    The thieves then discovered that there were some hens sleeping in the outside coop, and they managed to steal four of them:  Blondie, Summer, Sasha  and one of the established Allotmenteers, a grey Dorking called Pong.   Fay had been in the same coop,  but had managed to escape and evade capture.

We guessed that there were 2 thieves, and they'd each carried 2 birds.   We anticipated that they would be back in a day or two for more. We had to evacuate.

We took all the Girls home that day, and left the 2 boys behind.   We could not have the boys in the garden, the noise was already unacceptable.    We couldn't leave the boys on the allotment on their own.   Apart from the fact that it was horrible for them,   they were very much at risk of being stolen - and if that happened, the best we could hope for is that they ended up n someone's plate. The worst was that they would be used as training fodder for dogs or cockfighting.   

We couldn't rehome them - movement restrictions were in place.   The next day,  DH culled the boys.  It broke my heart.  Those two, gorgeous, soft boys.

At home,  we now had 3 flocks of chickens in 4 coops. 16 hens in total, a huge increase from the normal 5. The shenanigans of who wanted to bunk with whom went on for weeks.

Here are my notes from 2nd May
Over in the temporary run, on the old fruit cage bed,  we have the latest lot of Allotment Evacuees.   These are the girls we brought home after the theft of four girls.  This oddball group is made up of:
- Nora (our oldest girl, 9+,  blind in one eye,  bit unsteady), 
- Katherine (Welsh Black, sister of Poppy and Gloria, 8+, lovely gentle girl, who just gets on with things and doesn't make a fuss.), 
- Big Bird (big yellow girl, 6+, brick shaped bum,  friendly girl but just the wrong shape for breeding)
- Ping (silver grey dorking, 3+, incredibly noisy, She gets bullied by EVERYONE she comes into contact with, apart from, possibly, those she's currently living with),  and
- Annie (Welsh Black x,  4+, hatchmate of Barbara who died recently)  Annie wanders everywhere. She tried joining the Purple Cube crowd, but gave up and joined the Evacuees in the temporary run.    Apart from Annie, the Evacuees tend to keep to their own area.

The earlier Allotmenteers, these are the ones who we brought home when Lockdown was announced:

Violet, Elizabeth and Bott (Harem Welsh Blacks x Bertie, 2+) sleep in the purple cube with Gloria, Poppy, Fay and Fleur.   Violet is aiming to be Top Chook, and from the very first night,  established her dominance by ejecting Poppy.    Poppy and Fleur wait outside until the last possible minute before going up the cube ladder.

Violet, Elizabeth and Bott tend to keep together as a little flock,  and are often joined by Phyllis.   Violet is a gobby chook,  to the point of real annoyance.   Elizabeth remembers jumpy uppy and is an inquisitive friendly girl.


Phyllis (Welsh Black x, with her Australorp side dominant, 6+) sleeps with the Littlees(Sunshine, Astrid and Sylvia) at night. She's first in the Cube at night, and the 3 litlees hang around outside before eventually going in.  I haven't observed any bullying, and there is no evidence of pecking.  During the day, she wanders around with the younger black chooks, Violet, Elizabeth and Bott.   Phyllis is an inquisitive, friendly girl, and likes to be next to us if we're in the chicken area. She is a real people person. 

Out Littlees continue to be a happy little Trio Sunshine, Astrid (both Gold Leghorns) and Sylvia (Silver Laced Barnevelder).  Sylvia is way down the pecking order.    

Our original Garden Girls
Poppy (Welsh Black, 8+) has been in the Garden the longest. She was the sole survivor of a fox attack,  and we brought home her sister Gloria from the allotment to keep her company while we decided what to do.  Gloria is Top Chook.    When we introduced new girls (Fleur, Fay and Sasha),   Poppy fought to be number 2, but has always had a dodgy hold on that position.  She mainly kept it because the younger girls didn't want to challenge her.    Sasha was one of 4 girls stolen from our allotment.  She was there becaiuse we wanted to introduce our two Silver Leghorns (Blondie and Summer, who were also stolen) to the reduced Allotment group,   and we wanted a break from her and Fay's shrill squawking.    

Fay (Fayoumi, 5+) came back from her holiday to the allotment a much more determined chook.  She had previously been second from bottom in the pecking order.  She started off living in the temporary run with the Evacuees,  but one night she  decided to try her luck in the purple cube.  She's stayed with that group ever since.   She's lost status as a result, because they are treating her as low ranking again.  She doesn't really range with any group,  she flies out of their area at will.  Sometimes she'll snuggle up with one of the other groups, with the netting between them.   She has started to let me pick her up, which is really unusual.


Mostly, there isn't too much infighting going on, unless the Girls accidentally cross paths.  They graze together in fairly close proximity without squabbling,  and sunbathe together as a big group.   There is a lot of squabbling over nest boxes.

The odd spats are things like Poppy, Phyllis and Nora having an altercation when Nora decided to check out the Big Run.  I'm amazed that Nora held her own quite well!   The leghorns attack Ping (everyone attacks Ping);  and there's lots of quick pecks going on,  but no real nastiness.

We're trying to work out what the new order is, but it hasn't been properly established yet

14 of the 16 girls, May 2020

The noise was horrendous, and I was having to get up at 5am every day to try and sort them out.

On 5th June, Sylvia,  silver laced Barneverlder hatchmate of the 2 boys,  died in a freak accident (her neck was broken as someone climbed over her to get into one of the coops one night).  The only female barnevelder from that hatch,  the gorgeously gentle Sylvia, had died.   

It was such a sad end to the Barnevelder hatching.

 

And then.

 

We

...and opening another

On  impulse, I bought 3 new hens.

The people who have bought my incubators also happen to sell poultry.    I perused their website, experience has taught me to consider carefully before agreeing to hold an item for someone, 

I'd been thinking, on and off, about adding 3 new girls to the flock, and I'd had my eye on a lady who sold Wyandottes in a range of gorgeous colours.     We're down to 7 girls now, and it's a good number, and I expect that we'll have a couple more girls go this year.  I was undecided whether to get soe girls this year, or wait til next year.  Or maybe wind down completely.

The buyers had a couple of Araucanas in non standard colours.   We hatched araucanas one year,  all boys.   I rehomed the original "Sasha", driving many miles to take him to his new home.    The lady gave me Araucana x Leghorn eggs as a thank you.   They weren't fertilised.

Then I bought some Araucana x Leghorn eggs.  All boys, including the amazing Penguin (the one boy I regret culling).

And then I bought some Araucans x Leghorn pullets.   Except they turned out to be boys.

And then I gave up on them.

Anyway, these non standard colourways were interesting, so I asked the buyer about them.  Turns out she doesn't have any available,  she sent me pics of what she did have.

I wasn't really in love with the colours available,  but I just couldn't let it go. In the end, I selected 2 Araucanas and one other breed.   So now I have 3 pullets being delivered in a few weeks time.

I mentioned it to DH. 

He took it well.  He seemed quite pleased about it actually.  I don't think he's particularly excited about new girls,  I suspect he's just happy that I am interested enough to buy some.  He's already planning how we can get the spare Cube out of the Run, and where it's going to go so I can scrub and disinfect it, and where we will put it so we can keep the Newbies quarantined from the Oldies for a couple of weeks.

 

Closing a door....

A couple of weeks go I suggested selling our incubators.  Since we moved everyone from our allotment (after 4 of our girls were stolen), we no longer have anywhere to raise boys, which means hatching would be a bit tricky.

DH reminded me of this a couple of days ago and asked me if I wanted him to retrieve the incubators from the loft so we could test them before selling.   I concurred,  and within the space of a couple of hours they had been tested and validated, cleaned, photographed and advertised.  

I hoped they sell quickly - before I change my mind. I had a wobble, and thought about keeping one of them "just in case". (Mainly because I saw the price of new ones!).

And then they were sold.  They are being picked up in a couple of weeks...

 

There and back again

After much dithering, DH and I went away for a few nights.  We're back now.

We had fab weather for 2 days, then rain,  then a mixed day.    My plantar fasciitis was very severe, and iI had trouble getting off and on the boat.  It caused some issues for us, we had to choose carefully where we moored - ensuring we had enough space to bring the boat in without clipping another one, when I couldn't jump off with a rope.

It was a good few days, we didn't do anywhere near as many miles as we used to.  The effort of it all wiped us both out each day,  I went to bed at 8.30pm one night and 9.30 another.  

The cats pretended not to know us when we got home.  They, and the Girls, had been really well looked after by my friend Diane. 

Miss T didn't come this time, which was sad but not a surprise.   If we decide to keep the boat for another year, we'll probably try and go later in the summer, and not try and get a school holiday date.

Today I've been doing tons of washing.  At least the house was lovely and tidy from my pre-holiday blitz.

We also visited a garden centre, knowing it was going to be packed.   It was. It was rammed.  We had to park in the overflow car park.    We agreed that it was just going to be horrible, no point getting cross,  tomorrow and the next few days won't be any better, etc etc.

Actually, it wasn't too bad as we knew what we wanted to get and we weren't wrried about browsing.  DH got a trolley and went off to get some bits,  I went the other way to get something else,  we joined the queue for the tills, and then we were done.

We drove past The Long Walk, there was a major procession going on.  Hundreds of motorbikes, resplendent with Union Flags,  were moving off in convoy as a mark of respect for the late Queen.   It took 12 minutes from the first to the last bike.   

Only 4 weeks to go to the Coronation!