This is the third week of using a sleep apnea mask, otherwise known as CPAP. Last night I went to sleep immediately and slept for six hours, interrupted once or twice by going to the bathroom—the night before I slept for 7.1 hours.

The machine above keeps track for me.

I got an e-mail from the mask company yesterday congratulating me from meeting all my goals.

And they know, they and my doctor know everything about my sleep, heart, and blood oxygen level.

I go to sleep almost immediately after figuring out the right settings and discussing it with my Customer Success representative;

I no longer snore or get up six to eight times a night. I don’t get drowsy during the day. I like napping, but I don’t have time to do it lately

The occasional short breath I felt for many years has gone away.  My doctor said there was a link between sleeping regularly and bladder issues caused by my heart-stopping during the n right. My heart, he said,  was stopping about 80 times an hour.

My blood oxygen level was down about 30 percent from what is normal.

The mask was not easy to get used to. It takes a while. It takes some willpower and focus. It requires no whining.

I had to ask for a different size mask one and was awakened a number of times when the Mother Superior apnea machine behaved that I kept leaking air, and telling me the air seals on the mask were broken when they weren’t. The culprit turned out to be humidity, which can affect the masks.

The company – Hometown Healthcare –  was startlingly responsive and helpful and answered right away or called me back immediately; that was a good feeling. This turned out to be very important. This can be very confusing at first. Somebody needs to be there doing backup.

This availability made a huge difference for people like me. I knew I needed support for this turn.

My body was confused. I rarely slept more than a few hours at a time my entire life, and this sleep was a new sensation. I had to learn a new way of cuddling up with Maria, which is essential. And I have. I’m also learning how to breathe properly – I have no choice.

It took me and my body three weeks to get comfortable. The Home Health Care company, which came to my house to show me the different masks, promised to be supportive.

They were, and this made a huge difference. I am very comfortable now. I was just tested this week to see if I’m getting the right amount of oxygen. I’ll find out in a few days.

One of my most exciting lessons was understanding that when my heart skipped a beat or I was breathing with difficulty, the apnea device came out swinging, blowing air through the long plastic tube.

At first, this alarmed and annoyed me. Then I decided to respect what it was doing but push back. When it blew, so did I. Now, I can quiet the machine in seconds.

I never slept more than an hour or so, and now I’m sleeping in 3-5 hour blocks, and that’s just the first few weeks. I am getting more comfortable and confident with the machine every day. And I very much love getting some rest.

I was very quickly able to resolve the few problems I had and move along. I do feel transformed, more than I imagined. I go to sleep within minutes and stay asleep for longer and longer periods every night. There is a staggering difference between getting rest and not getting rest.

I understood that sleeping with a mask on was an enormous change to my body and my psyche. Maria says it is a lot quieter without my snoring and twisting and getting up all the time. It is a lot slower for me as well.

This new rest – I have never slept well, not since I was a child bed-wetter – has altered my consciousness and improved my mood, heart, and diabetes. I feel grounded at the center; I have more energy and feel strong and focused.

I’ve always needed sleep but never gotten much. Every day it gets easier; I’m glad I toughed it out and didn’t quit. I think that apart from my open-heart surgery, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for my heart or my body, and I am abashed for resisting it for so long.

I am a curious mix of stubbornness and curiosity; I block things out that I don’t want to hear and embrace and absorb stuff I don’t want to adopt.

I’d say only this for people considering it: It takes time to get used; it doesn’t all come together the first day. The body has to accommodate a whole new idea of nighttime and a significant boost to my day. When I gave up customer service and decided to figure it out, I did.

The odd thing about this summer is that I am feeling healthier almost every day. Life is full of crisis and mystery.

I have absolutely no trouble recommending this mask for people who have sleeping troubles or who believe their nighttime breathing is irregular. Thanks for following me along.