In the interest of not having to answer a ton of the same questions about all the things I’m going to go through I figured I’d just spell them out for you here and I’ll sprinkle in some nice visual references as well.

Let’s begin with my most recent sleep study. I was hooked up to some sophisticated gear and of course it was uncomfortable (as you can tell from the previous post’s top left photo). I didn’t really get any sleep either, but the tests did show some good data. It showed that I am getting a very low level of oxygen in my blood system during sleep. There is a scale that is used to determine this and I was in the 30 range, which is severe. (Severe ranges from 30 on up.)

This one issue alone can potentially cause multiple health conditions from heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue and of course snoring.

Second, I have a deviated septum. So what’s a deviated spetum? Well it’s pretty much the separation between each nostril.

Ideally, one would have close to the same size opening to their sinuses. If both openings equaled 100 percent, then one would want close to 50 percent each side (but no one is perfect). Mine is a bit more skewed than that, well actually a lot. I have greater than 80 percent on one side and less than 20 on the other. It was quite startling looking at my CT scan that showed how crooked the inside of my nose actually is. 

For more info on the deviated septum part of my surgery go here – http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/repair-of-a-deviated-septum-septoplasty-surgery-overview

Next up will be my soon-to-be-good-friend the endoscope and what a wonderful time we’ll have! 

 

The photo speaks enough for me, if you need more go here – http://www.entusa.com/endoscopic_sinus_surgery.htm 

While the endoscope is up my schnoz, I’ll get a balloon shoved up there to give my sinuses some room to drain and improve my opening. For some more pretty pictures a terrific explanation click this link – http://www.columbusotolaryngology.com/balloon-sinusplasty.htm

Airways are not just sinuses, of course we can breathe through our mouths. And before you go there ok, I know I have a big mouth and flap my tongue a lot. I’ve already rehearsed these jokes myself so you don’t have to. Anyway, areas there need to be fixed too.

Starting with the tongue, I need to have it reduced (like I said I already know the jokes). The way this will be done is quite sophisticated, read more about it here – http://www.arthrocareent.com/wt/tert_page/int_base_tongue_channeling

Then on to my tonsils… Apparently I have a HUGE set. On the scale, most normal people are about a 1, I am easily between a 3 and a 4. 

 

I’m not having them totally removed, but they will be shrunk by a laser. My doctor promised me there was a backstop on the laser so I don’t have to worry about it severing my head! Need more on the laser treatment check it out here – http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tonsillectomyProcedures.cfm 

And finally, since my tongue and tonsils are so big they have made my soft palette too weak. Once the reductions to my tongue and tonsils happen, the soft palette needs to be strengthen so not to completely collapse on my airway. 

To correct this I’ll be getting the Pillar Procedure done, it’s essentially three little stints that will be with me forever. Sounds fun right. For the info on what’s going to happen there all you need to know is here – http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pillar-procedure/MY00516

That’s basically it. Tuesday is the day. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and well-wishes.