Inspire Implant

Today I had an appointment with a Dr. Heather Johns at Providence Ear, Nose and Throat to discuss getting the Inspire Implant for my Sleep Apnea.

From what I learned today, there are a number of things that can be done to help mitigate Sleep Apnea. The first thing she suggested was a surgery where they cut my jaw and position it forward. This creates more space in the breathing passage. She said it would slightly change the look of my face and it was a long and painful surgery with a long recovery. I told her that did not appeal to me.

The next thing she suggested was doing a sort of face lift in my throat. Again, the goal is to open the breathing passages. She said that from the looks of my throat, that procedure probably wouldn't work.

Finally we got to the implant. It would be placed on my right side across from my current implant. There would be a lead the goes to a nerve below my tongue. At night, I would use a remote to turn it on and anytime it detected my tongue in a certain position, stimulating the nerve would slightly push my tongue forward, enlarging my airway. To the point that the tip of my tongue would be sticking out of my mouth.

She went on to say that she needs to talk to my heart docs because I may not be eligible for this therapy.

The next step is they are going to order another sleep study and then I will meet again with Dr. Gross at Spokane Pulmonary. 

After this meeting, my Bi-Pap head gear is looking more appealing.

Just for reference, I first started using the Bi-Pap on August 23rd, 2021. So it's been five years.

September BP

 

E Bike Range

I have been doing some syphering with my e-bike, trying to figure out a typical range for the battery. To the best of my knowledge, it looks like I can comfortably get 30 miles out of one charge. I can improve that distance by using lower levels of assist. I generally keep it at Level 3.

I have been out on a few rides recently, even though the days are getting cooler. I haven't gone any long distances. Just the short jaunts downtown to the park as well as jaunts to the store, rather than taking the car.

I drove out to State Line today to gas up the truck and spent almost $90.00. I paid $4.40 a gallon and got about 20 gallons. Based on my recent history, that should last me about a month.

1067 Miles

I have just returned from a nice bike ride down to the park and back. Got in around 6 and a half-ish miles. It's a really nice sunny day with the temperature heading for 80 degrees. Along my ride, I stopped at the General Store. I got my knife sharpened, that was six bucks. Then I went to the plumbing aisle and checked out what they had for faucets. 

I have decided we need a new kitchen faucet. The one we have offers really crappy water pressure. I pulled the main hose off the valve under the sink, attached a short hose to it and let it spurt into a bucket. It had quite a bit of force. Much more than is coming through our kitchen faucet.

Right now, it takes almost three minutes for the hot water to hit the kitchen faucet. With my test into the bucket, I had hot water in thirty seconds.

Stand by for more kitchen faucet updates.

GOAL ACHIEVED!!!

I HAVE DONE IT! 

I went out on a little ride today to pick up some medicine for the cat. I managed to return to the house just after the odometer hit 1,000 miles. To be specific, I was at the intersection of Jackson and Wall when it tripped over.

I was close enough to home to know it would remain at 1K until I reached the backyard, which is where I took this picture.

I'm a full week ahead of my scheduled goal date, which makes me feel pretty good.

Now I have to go to the Home Depot to replace our wave sprinkler. My old one got stolen last night. Low Life MoFo!

August BP

 

Goal Surety

I think I have all but ensured reaching the 1,000-mile goal on my bike after todays' 24.6-mile endeavor. I only have 16 miles to go and a week to do it in. I'm glad I ordered the extra-large seat but my ass is still a bit angry with me.

Today I rode out to Seven Mile and back. I went out on one side of the river and came back on the other side. It was a good two-hour outing on a very pleasant trail. I went out to the George Wright Cemetery and continued out towards Seven Mile. 

This portion of the trail was still closed off. It made a little more sense because I rode through an area where the fire definitely came through. There have clearly been crews working the area as there was heavy equipment sitting idle along the trail all along the way. I think most of the dangerous trees had been cut down so I really wasn't worried about riding through the area. 

I crossed the river on the Seven Mile bridge and returned to downtown along the river road that goes through Riverside State Park. It's a little bit hair-raising on that road because it is so narrow. Fortunately, today it was very lightly traveled while I was on it and everyone gave me a lot of room.

There were a lot of people in the park downtown. You really have to keep a sharp eye out and I have found it's best to yield to everyone.

Now that I'm home, I'm going to take my sore ass and kick back for a while.