[SqueakyBee]

For background, my husband has been battling severe obstructive sleep apnoea for some time now, but it was only diagnosed. He's a level 8-9 out of 10, and surgery is the only option (actually three surgeries in one). We're lucky that he's young enough that any damage to his heart will be entirely reversed once the apnoea is fixed.

The specialist wanted to get him into surgery asap, but we had only recently joined up with private health insurance, so had to wait about eight months, or 12 months for the public sector. We're still 2 months away from that private health insurance date, and things are getting worse and worse. My husband has cut back to part time work, and even that he's having trouble with. His memory and concentration are shot, he's tired all the time and he has depression and anxiety that is thought to be largely caused by the lack of oxygen/restorative sleep from the apnoea.

Today he got the results of blood tests to check for anything else that could be causing issues, and it all came back completely clean - there's nothing we can do until the surgery happens. He was looking at leaving his job, which he loves and which has been so, so supportive through this, and applying for Centrelink because he just can't function.

Luckily I'm the higher income earner, but it was still going to be a financial setback, since I am in no way rich!

In step both sets of parents who offer to fund the surgery up front so that he can get in ASAP, meaning that instead of 3 months out of action (including the expected 1 month recovery time) he will only be out for 1 month. We both cried when we found out! It's just such a relief to know that we can resolve all his health issues sooner rather than later, especially when we're preparing for a baby in roughly 7 months!

While we definitely plan to pay them back the money for the surgery (no matter what our parents say!), there are just no words to express how grateful we are for them giving us this chance to get our lives back on track.

The surgery and recovery will likely be difficult for Mr, and I'm hoping my morning sickness clears soon so that I can look after him the way he's been looking after me, but whatever happens now, things are really looking up.

[~sydblue~]

Yay and hugs for both sets of parents. Hope the surgery goes well and he is back to normal in no time.

[kpingitquiet]

Good job, parents! I wish your husband all the best. I hope he feels a whole lot better very soon and that you do too.

[CharliMarley]

Families stick together and help each other.

[Bwok~Bwok]

Yay to the parents!

Can I ask what he is having done - I had surgery for OSA 2 years ago.

[SqueakyBee]

Thank you everyone! I'm so happy, I'm still teary over it!

Families stick together and help each other.

They do, but I know not everyone is as lucky as we are to have that kind of emotional and financial support. I feel so blessed right now!

Can I ask what he is having done - I had surgery for OSA 2 years ago.

He has really big tonsils (you know what they say about a man with big tonsils...) so those are coming out, they're widening one of his nasal passages which he damaged in a disagreement with his mum's exercise trampoline as a child, and a third surgery - I think they planned to remove some more tissue from his throat, but I'm not totally clear on the third one. We're waiting on the paperwork detailing exactly what they plan to do.

They believe that these surgeries will take him from a level 8-9 to a 1-2, if not get rid of it altogether. They'll re-test his sleep after he's recovered to see if there are any other issues, such as Central Sleep Apnoea.

[Bwok~Bwok]

I'm assuming it will be the UPPP surgery (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) make sure you research this alot.

Reason I say this is because if the surgery doesn't correct the OSA there is a chance the CPAP machine won't work on him because of the surgery - like myself.

[SqueakyBee]

Hi Bwok~Bwok, thank you so much for that information. We'll have to look at what they're proposing and ask some questions about that one - from what I've been told it does sound like that's part of the plan. They do believe that his apnoea is all or primarily obstructive, so it may be worth going ahead with that one, but we'll make sure to make an informed decision.

Out of interest, did you have that surgery and did it fix everything? Did you have any element of CSA as well as OSA? I hope that you're doing heaps better now, apnoea is pretty scary with some serious impacts on your health!

[Natbub0610]

OMG

Something that could be so simple a gesture but means so much in sincerity and generosity!! and BOTH sets of parents!!

That's unconditional love and it's what you learn to pass on to your children and family too!!

Good luck, hope all goes well

[amabanana]

You are so lucky to have such caring and generous parents.

DH recently had surgery for OSA and it's made an incredible difference to our lives. I know it doesn't always work out (sorry about your experience Bwok Bwok) but in our case it's been great. No more snoring and a DH who isn't grumpy and lifeless (and constantly ill!).

Best of luck!