Posts Tagged "New Year’s Resolutions"

A Sleep Clinic Test But NO Sleep?

Posted by Pat Stewart on Jan 3, 2013 in My Blog, Think About This | 1 comment

Here we are, it’s 2013, the world did not end as the Mayan Calendar alerted and many of us are pondering what our contribution to the world will be in this new year.  So many of us make New Year’s Resolutions, some of which we accomplish and others may fall by the wayside.  I certainly have made many that belong in both categories! Last night, I reluctantly spent the night in the hospital having a “sleep test” which my cardiologist ordered.  One of my health issues is fibromyalgia and most patients that are AFFLICTED (yes!!!) with that, struggle with sleep issues which impact one’s quality of life greatly.  For over 17 years now, I have learned how to live with fibromyalgia and have somewhat conquered the CURSE of  “cycling” back and forth between level 1 and level 2 sleep thanks to my docs, a couple of meds and routine.  Those who never get to levels 4 and 5 where one gets restorative sleep are doomed…maybe the Mayan calendar even mentions that! I reported in at 10:00 p.m., got all wired up to several types of monitors and and began the attempt to go to sleep.  The hospital beds have never been my friend…too hard for my arthritic body.  I recall when I had my first mastectomy and stayed one night in the hospital, I gave up and got up at 2:00 a.m. and sat in the recliner which was more comfortable.  So last night during the sleepless sleep study, my hips and back were in too much pain that I simply could not go to sleep. I talked with God a lot…world problems, people I pray for, everyone in the hospital for healing, and then I switched my conversation to what God would like to see me do in 2013.    He gave me a lot of good ideas; we chatted about how many in our world are hurting (not just their hips and backs from a hard mattress) and that discussion led me to thinking about how even a kind word or just listening to someone’s problems, giving them a smile or praying for them can make a difference in their lives. Mark Twain says that “Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”  Well, I am still constructing my list of resolutions (I move slowly, I know) but extending kindness to people whom I encounter is at the top of my list.  What’s really cool is that God said He would give me hints on just who might be needing it.  Isn’t that kind of Him! So, “Sleepless in Statesville” actually turned out to be a good evening.  I’m moving very slowly today, but my mind is going to...