Curiousity??

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:26 am

Wulfman wrote:Re-reading some of this thread jogged my memory of a lot of members that I haven't seen post for a LOOOONNNNG time. Where did they go??????

If you're still out there and checking in from time to time, please let us know how you're doing. We miss you!!!

Good question. I guess it is reflective of how many people give up on the therapy.

Or did they? Maybe some of them solved all their problems and no longer need our help?

NAH! Couldn't be.

Oh 2 breathe · Post by **Oh 2 breathe** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:52 am

Well this is certainly a popular thread!

I am amazed at all the human talent here, and can't help but wonder at the magnitude of influence we could have if we were to organize ourselves to acheive a common goal such as advocating for our rights as consumers of sleep apnea related products and health care services.

If you are wondering where my radical empowerment thoughts are coming from it's because I have have been working for 15 years as a counsellor/client advocate in the community mental health field.

If anyone wants to start some trouble for a company that gives poor service or change a bad rule or policy, let me know...Well planned sh*t disturbing to obtain better services for my clients is part of my job description!

~ OTB

crazyone · Post by **crazyone** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:31 pm

Okay, Here mine goes - Hope I don't get to lengthy and bore everyone.

32 years old, 5'8", 135 lbs. Somewhat thin, yes, but still can't make it up 3 flights of stairs without losing my breath! Sad!

Looks like we're full of lots of techies here, so I add to the pile. I am a Graphics Specialist for an Engineering firm (mostly transportation). I do a varied range of graphics from web design to technical typical sections and 3D renderings to show what improvements to roadway will look like when complete.

WAFlowers, you probably saw some of my stuff on the news for the improvements being done to the Gandy Blvd. corridor.

I starting in the engineering industry when I was 20 at a worldwide company as a receptionist and worked my way up to Senior Admin. and handling HR, accounting, and project marketing after 8 years. Then moved on to the smaller company I am with now to go into graphics (which I also am self taught except for the occassional courses at the University of South Florida). Been there for 4 years. Prior to that - I am a three time college drop out.

Will be having my 10 year anniversary with my husband (and my 1st love) in January, but we've been together 12, and we have a daughter that is going on 9 in January. She's the next Charlize Theron with both her beauty and acting ability. She is my second full time job with my husband, dogs, and house joining her.

I am also the family accountant and computer repair technician. I also run a very small business out of my home doing lite marketing and graphics services for small businesses owned by friends of ours. Most of my compensation there is made through trade of services (plumbing, trees, skin care, electrical, and AC).

Okay, I think that's plenty for someone to read...

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:37 pm

crazyone wrote:WAFlowers, you probably saw some of my stuff on the news for the improvements being done to the Gandy Blvd. corridor.

I may have, except it would have come out during the period I was suffering the most memory problems induced by apnea driven sleep deprivation. I have a vague recollection of something, but can't remember what it would have looked like.

Interesting work you do. I'm always happy to see someone succeed on the basis of hard work and perseverence despite the lack of a degree.

crazyone · Post by **crazyone** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:49 pm

Thanks Bill,
I guess some of us are just to smart for college!

Gotta keep the funds rolling in though if I want to keep spoiling myself!

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:07 pm

Finally, a string I can post to without invoking wrath and slings.

I was a pharmacist until I ran into a shrink who did not know the difference in addiction and sleep disorders and decided I was an addict becasue I fell asleep at work.
Lost my license and sit around monitoring online forums of several types from Humanism and Ceramic grills to sleep disorders and all thing in between.
My last book was adventures of Tom Sawyer and am looking for Huckleberry Finn.
Could not get into Grapes of Wrath, but will try again for the 12th time.
All time favorite Is Atlas Shrugged.

I am happily married after a series of wierd and destructive realtionships.
A friend once asked me if I only dated crazy women or drove women crazy.
I am happy to have outgrown those hormone driven days and now am only concerned with incontinence and remembering where Iput my keys.
I enjoy writing for my own pleasure and have opinions on just about everything. Many disagree with them though.

I enjoy all things of a scientific nature with particular interested in astrophysics and big bang as well as pondering the wierd probability and outcome scenarios.

My wife and I were married 27 years ago and we have been married for 24 years

joey · Post by **joey** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:08 pm

I am a Realtor.

Tinker · Post by **Tinker** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:43 pm

Hi

I'm a field service technician for banking and medical equipment. I work on ATMs, safes, vaults, CCTV, alarms, and medication dispensing terminals.

Jeff

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 7:35 pm

joey wrote:I am a Realtor.

Reality is for those with no imagination! .

cvansant · Post by **cvansant** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:13 pm

Most of this has been posted in other threads but here goes.

65 years old. 6'2". 198lbs Christmas Eve we will be married 46 years. 5 children (1st 3 were from my wife's previous marriage), 4 still living.

Started as an electronic technician in the US Coast Guard. Then in electronic field engineering for another 12 years. Hired on with Sperry-Univac as a field engineer on their Navy computers. After 16 years I left to try a career in real estate. Just in time for the market to go south (At least in San Diego). Returned to technology working at a Internet Service Provider(ISP). Couple of years there and moved to a computer systems engineer position on a project replacing the USN's desktops and servers. Retired from technology 2003. Now work part-time in a hardware store.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:21 pm

After reading 13 pages of this thread, I have drawn the conclusion, or so it seems, OSA seems to affect the intelligent and driven. Maybe those without the high powered jobs or those with less "interesting" careers have chosen not to post, but the overall concensus is creative, intelligent and hard working individuals with great careers. Do you think it has anything to do with how much stress is involved in our jobs? I know mine was ranked the #2 highest stressful job in our country.

Charle · Post by **Charle** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:33 pm

I'm a former Air Force instructor/flight test pilot turned mechanical engineer after getting out of the service. Currently work as a consultant for oil refineries around the world. Those who have voiced the opinion that there is an incredible pool of talent here have made an understatement.
Charle

catchin_zzzs · Post by **catchin_zzzs** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:38 pm

Wow, I am in awe at the talent, brains and initiative reflected here! Maybe that's why we're all so determined to make CPAP therapy work for us and improve our quality of life!

I'm a realtor in Denver, Colorado (somebody here made a "reality" joke - since OSA, sometimes I've felt like I was living in an alternate reality, one where I was tired all the time and fell asleep at the drop of a hat). Female, age 50 (yay!) married for 14 years to an incredibly patient and awesome man; mom to 2 fluffy long-haired cats whose sole purpose in life is to shed hair all over the house and laugh while I vacuum. I'm also a recreational/competitive figure skater, and skate on an adult masters synchronized skating team. My husband's a pilot and flight instructor, and I have a private pilots license, although I'm currently NOT flying (in case there are any FAA-types lurking about). Not sure what a diagnosis of OSA will do to my medical status as a pilot; frankly, I've got more important stuff to worry about right now!

Glad to meet you all . . . it really does seem like the best and brightest are the people who end up with OSA, huh?

OT: What's this online yearbook Lori was talking about in another thread?

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:18 pm

catchin_zzzs wrote:I'm a realtor in Denver, Colorado (somebody here made a "reality" joke

Gee, I wonder who that might be?

OT: What's this online yearbook Lori was talking about in another thread?

It is a collection of thumbnail photos (our avatars that appear by our names) all together so people can see each other. Sort of.

sleepyinsunnyvale · Post by **sleepyinsunnyvale** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 6:55 am

I'm a regular reader of this forum (not so regular contributor ). I'm surprised I haven't noticed this thread a long time ago. It's great to get some insight into people behind the photos.

For many years I held VP of Engineering/CTO positions in companies that design and manufacture hard disk drives. Was involved in some start ups. Some very successful others not . I am now (semi) retired. I do have some consulting work going on.
My newest passion is volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House at a large children's hospital. I work with the kids and their families in the computer room. Computer games, digital photography, etc
I can truly say that I get more from the kids and the families than I give. As bad as Apnea is,it is a mere inconvenience compared to what many of these kids go through day in and day out, 24/7/365. Many with grim prognoses. Having raised 3 happy and healthy kids and having them in turn raising 5 happy and healthy grandkids, it really hits home.

Mask