The evolution of a cpaptalk'er

Exhausted by the fatigue,
brain dead from hypoxia,
I arrive at the sleep lab admittance desk.
"How may I help you?"
"I need some sleep."

As a refugee, staggering from the trenchs of OSA....
desperate to know that I am not alone and
to know what is this OSA and what is cpap?.......
I stumble onto cpaptalk.com.

Just from my first reading, I realize, I'm not alone.
This alone is worth the effort.

Then the compassion, the education and sometimes....
the tough love. Slowly, methodically, systematically
each obstacle is dealt with. The immediate problems
are fixed. Each night, a new fix is processed,
evaluated and then, accepted or rejected.
In a few weeks, familiarty is born, habits begin to form,
relief and recovery are realized.

As the knowledge base is built, the options begin to materialize.
I make an educated move from strapping and gluing to a FFM.
More help, more knowledge, I methodically refine the quest for the perfect mask.
My knowledge of using the software and ability to analyse the results,
allows me to adjust my pressure for optimal results.
In a few months, I have a mask that fits, leaks under control,
have self-titrated to a pressure that brings my
numbers to levels of recovery I never thought possible.

With this miracle of rebirth, I am overcome w/gratitude.
My need to share this increbible recovery,
help others to realize this same miracle,
and share this amazing knowledge of the mysteries of cpap,
drive me to want to respond to every post and
answer every question.

As my forum involvment continues, I begin to sound redundant.
I continually repeat myself, because all the newbie questions
are the same ones I asked. Others many times, respond w/the
same information so there is no need for me to repeat
the same information. I find myself becoming more and more
an observer.

I see my excitment to post and answer questions replaced by others
that have discovered the same miracle that I had
and are just as excited to help/share those same feelings and knowledge.
As each day brings new refugees, the process renews itself
and the flow of knowledge repeats.

Along the way, friends are made.
A cyber bond is formed to those that helped in the beginning
and w/those I was able to help.
The chatter, give and take, the odd questions,
the discussions to learn, the jockularity, the spats....
all build a feeling of family.
A place to come and put your feet up.
A place where the education never stops,
where there is always a reminder of where I came from....
that in turn, a reminder of the blessing of cpap,
always something to bring a chuckle,
a place to see your reflection and grow......
a place to observe the ebb and flow of life.

I don't really know where my place at cpaptalk is now.
I just know that for the reasons listed above,
I feel a connection here that continues to bring me back.

It truly is an amazing life experience.

Oh, please don't go anywhere even if you're feeling great - we need your adventures and pictures and advice!

Carbonman, it's the people like you on this forum that keep me here. Nicely said!

rosie

You are the cpaptalk poet laureate..... I love reading your verse de OSA!

CBman, Another gem! Beautiful. I've added it to a separate folder I've created named Carbonman's Poetry.

DoriC wrote:CBman, Another gem! Beautiful. I've added it to a separate folder I've created named Carbonman's Poetry.

Can we make an exception to the forum sections by-law and create one just for C-man Poetry & Pix <wicked BIG grin> CP&P

You da man, C-man

Your talent is amazing..........thank you for sharing it with all of us!

I can research and write with the best of them, and even document my sources in several styles..........but when one of the kids comes home with a poetry assignment--and it happened just last week with the son in college even--I just groan and hope they'll do it on their own.

All the more, why I find your talent absolutely astounding! I love your poetry.

With my therapy being very successful (AHI under 2), I haven't visited this forum as much as I should. I am ready to buy a new machine so I have been checking back to see what others are saying about the various units.

Carbonman, you and others certainly play an important part in helping and encouraging others. I realize now that I need to visit more often even if my therapy is working well. I truly can relate your poetry. Keep it up!

Carbonman just beautiful!
What you post if always so uplifting and welcome.
I would really miss you if you stopped posting.
You alway take me away to some other place were I can relax.
Thank you.
Susan

So beautifully expressed. I feel like you read my mind.

The poetry is cool, sure. But in my opinion, it is your consistent sincerity, your independent thinking, your sense of humor, and your respect for newbies that combine uniquely to make you the amazing asset that you are in this place. You were once mostly a "breath of fresh air." Now your posts carry a certain weight. So now it may not be so much about how often you post; it may be about the great example you set whenever you do. The trick may be not to let that "evolution" keep you from having fun here. Please understand that your posts do more good than you will likely ever grasp. You humble guys sometimes have that problem. Trust me, you do a lot of good here. For me. For others. For future visitors to cpaptalk.com.

Whatever you do, though, please don't ever become one of those guys who constantly threatens to lurk or to leave. Those guys really get on my nerves.

jnk wrote:Whatever you do, though, please don't ever become one of those guys who constantly threatens to lurk or to leave. Those guys really get on my nerves.