Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on sleep wellness

Griffin Hospital will host a free talk about sleep wellness May 14./ Contributed photo

DERBY – Griffin Hospital is offering a free talk that breaks down the ABCs of Zzzs at 6 p.m. May 15 in the Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.

Registered Polysomnographic Technologist Jackie Hoyle will present “Better Sleep for Better Health,” a discussion about the health risks of getting too little sleep, tips for getting better sleep, and warning signs of sleep apnea.

There will also be information about Griffin Hospital’s Sleep Wellness Center, a comprehensive program that offers state-of-the-art sleep medicine in a comfortable, home-like environment. 

The Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as a sleep disorders center - one of only 13 in Connecticut to achieve the Academy's highest level of accreditation - and helps treat sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy.

The talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U education series, which features Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics. 

Light refreshments will be served.

To reserve your spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit the calendar at griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Recuperation journey: Waking up

... to the dulcet tones of your cat heaving in the hallway.

On a day - no less - when we turned the clocks back and we're supposed to get another hour of beautiful sleep.

The fun never ends. And apparently neither does the sleep deprivation.

Recuperation journey: Sending prayers

Sending prayers and positive thoughts to the residents of Florida, southern Georgia, South Carolina, and everyone unlucky enough to be in the path of Hurricane Irma.

I can't imagine what they will be going through later today as Irma makes landfall.

I'm up early watching the TV coverage. Thank you, anti-rejection meds, for all the tossing and turning fun I've been having lately. 
It's about 5:45 a.m. as I write this, but I'm thankful all I'm dealing with is insomnia.

Being home, and not in a shelter with thousands of other people awaiting the brunt of a Category 3 or 4 hurricane, is something for which I am grateful.

Recuperation journey: Sleepless in Ansonia

Sorry I had to do that ... truth be told I've never seen the romantic comedy/drama Sleepless in Seattle.

The meds I take continue to mess up my sleep patterns. 
I hope it's part of my recuperation period and not a permanent part of life.

On a happier note, I was able to get these beautiful sunrise photos at about 7 a.m. today. 

An ominous looking cloud.

I took this one a minute later using a different camera exposure.

Have a great Tuesday!

Recuperation journey: More about naps and, ahem, aging

The napping elf got me today. 

I wrote about naps in this post last week. 
The word nap is short for Natural Aging Process, in my humble opinion. 

Naps are often necessary when a kidney transplant recipient like myself doesn't sleep well at night - thanks to the twice-daily cocktail of meds I must take. 
The medication must be the cause of my interrupted sleep. The melatonin suggestion didn't seem to help at all. 

But taking all the meds is a small price to pay to stay healthy and take care of my new kidney.

For the past two days I was proud of myself because I "powered" through the afternoon without taking a rejuvenating nap. 
But today I really needed one. So I caved in! 
The afternoon snooze gave me enough energy to face the rest of what I had to do today, such as make dinner and do a load of laundry.

Sleepless in the Valley: That could be a good title for this post. 
Guess I can use that one next time, if this annoying problem persists.

Recuperation journey: Natural Aging Process

When I was wide awake during the night I dreamed up an acronym - NAP. 💤 💤 💤

It suddenly occurred to me what NAP stands for: Natural Aging Process. 

Remember when you were little and you'd fight that afternoon nap the grownups would insist that you take? 

These days an afternoon nap can be downright glorious. I'll never fight that idea, especially now, post-transplant, when I'm trying my best to take care of my health. 

Naps soften the blow of the natural aging process we all experience, I'd say. 

Who's with me?

More on melatonin

I may have spoken too soon in yesterday's post about taking melatonin. 
I called it a miracle pill because it let me sleep almost five hours in a row, which was a treat.

Last night the pill only allowed me to sleep for three hours in a row. I may have jinxed myself!

* Thanks for following along with me on my post-transplant journey. It's therapeutic to write about my experience. 

'To sleep, perchance to dream - ay, there's the rub' - W. Shakespeare

Another night, another lack of proper sleep.

I blame all the anti-rejection and anti-infection medications I'm taking after my kidney transplant from upsetting my normal sleep pattern.
Fingers crossed it will settle down soon.

It was suggested I try using a melatonin supplement to help in the sleeping department.
Another pill to take! Yikes. But I'll give it a try.

This lack of sleep reminds me very much of living with a newborn who wakes up every two hours or so during the night.
I remember those tiring times well, and I'm sure many other parents reading this do too.