The three P's to success.

CPAK? Simply a typo.

....roll on river, roll on.

How many forum members does it take to change a light bulb?
1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed.
14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the
light bulb could have been changed differently.
7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs.
1 to move it to the Lighting section.
2 to argue that the Lighting section was really intended for candle-related posts, then move it to the Electricals section.
7 to point out spelling/grammar errors in posts about changing light bulbs.
5 to flame the spell checkers.
3 to correct spelling/grammar flames.
6 to argue over whether it's "lightbulb" or "light bulb" ... another 6
to condemn those 6 as stupid.
2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is "lamp".
15 know-it-alls who claim they were in the industry, and that "light
bulb" is perfectly correct.
19 to post that this forum is not about light bulbs and to please take
this discussion to a lightbulb forum.
11 to defend the posting to this forum saying that we all use light
bulbs and therefore the posts are relevant to this forum.
36 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where
to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for
this technique and what brands are faulty.
7 to post URL's where one can see examples of different light bulbs.
4 to post that the URL's were posted incorrectly and then post the
corrected URL's.
3 to post about links they found from the URL's that are relevant to
this group which makes light bulbs relevant to this group.
5 people to hotlink to pictures of lightbulbs hosted on geocities.
6 people to complain about dead images.
3 people to tell them to right click the image and copy the URL into
another window.
13 to read all posts to date, quote them in their entirety including
all headers, images and signatures, and add "I agree".
5 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they
cannot handle the light bulb controversy.
4 to say "didn't we go through this already a short time ago?".
13 to say "do a search on light bulbs before posting questions about
light bulbs".
1 forum lurker to respond to the original post 6 months from now and
start it all over again.

Love it Carbonman!

This is a slightly edited version of your article which I think some people would find a bit easier to read, if you choose to post it. There is one place, marked with a , where I think there is a word missing, perhaps "uncomfortable".

Patricia


PRACTICE, PATIENCE, and PERSEVERANCE

Getting used to life with CPAP isn't the easiest, but if you follow these three simple steps it may be easier than you think. I have been working with CPAP's for now 11 years and having one now myself has opened my eyes to CPAP more than I could have ever imagined.

Like almost everyone we are "CREATURES OF HABIT". We have a routine that now is about to change and in some cases in a dramatic way. It is only human nature for us to resist change. So instead of trying to use it all night the first night, take some time to get to know your equipment. We are dealing with 4 elements that together create this CPAP we are now going to be sleeping with.

PRACTICE is key!!!!!!! Take the time to get to know your mask and take it easy the first few days so that your nose doesn't get too sore. This is a common side effect that many of us face due to the fact our face is not used to pressure so we have to ease ourselves into this so we don't get burned out. You ever see a guy walk in to gym, head for the bench press and max out, no way he will tear a muscle. He first warms up and then after a few minutes starts light and works his way up. We must practice in a similar way. I call it your "mask workout". Most units are compact and light and can be moved. I preferred the living room on my side table next to my chair. You know the one no one is allowed to sit in but me. We all have a place where its our throne. So what I did was hook everything up and put my mask on while I was watching a show or Sportscenter. I sat there with the mask on, once a commercial came on I took it off and repeated the steps for 30min. What I found is that after each repetition it got a little easier.

The second thing we must do is remain PATIENT. Rome wasn't built in one day and its only realistic to think we are not going to get use to our CPAP either in one day so we must be patient. The first week or two you're going to have some RESTLESS nights. Keep in mind our body is trying to adjust to this new lifestyle and like getting a new job there is a learning curve we must go through so that we can become true CPAP masters, so be patient. I found that the first week I slept with it, some nights I tossed and other nights I had anxiety because I wanted to sleep with it but I needed time, so if you're tossing and anxiety hits take it off and try again the next night. This allowed me to get used to it faster.

Last but not least is PERSEVERANCE. We have to weather the proverbial storm. This too shall pass, recent studies have found that 50% of CPAP users quit in the first 3 days of obtaining there devices. Mostly because of mask issues. So if you find the mask that was given to you by the company who supplied the CPAP you do have options. Most places have a 14 day trial on mask and will allow you change. I went through 4 before I found the right one. Think of the mask as the shoe for the face. Most of us try on several so that we can find the right comfort and fit for our feet. So address the mask in the same light. Have the provider show you several, try them on and sit there for a few minutes. You might be surprised how much trouble it will save you for the future by doing this. Also most insurances will allow you to replace your mask every three months. Take full advantage of this and it does not mean you have to stick with the same one. try different styles, give yourself options.

Closing: Your not alone, this is a process not an event. Take your time to get use to get. Once you do look forward to more energy, improved health, happy spouse, and most of all a good night sleep!!!!

Sorry for the incorrect, wait let me spell check this to make sure its good enough for all the Harverd and Yale folks who seem to want to bash my writting ability. I am new to this and I'll go ahead and make the joke for most and new to writting. I was only trying to help and feel really hurt by most. I was picked on in school growing up for being in the slow class. This is just confrimation that bullys don't grow up and it only gets worse as you get older. I have passion for what I do and care for everyone I come in contact with regarding CPAP. I thought this was a place to help!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LolZies @ all the comments in this thread.

I am in awe of people who, having a passion, dig right in and do what they feel needs to be done,
ignoring empty criticism.
Literary skill can be learned, but more often, it is a gift--one we should NEVER take credit for.
(oops--sentence ending in a preposition!)
The big thing writers fear is a BLOCK, since having all the tools, they find no raw material.
Now, having your article out of the way, please hang around and tell us about yourself.
You sound like an interesting person with a very interesting story to tell.
Feel free to use unique spelling and grammar--it is not as unusual as you might think from recent posts.

cpap101,

carbonman wrote: 5 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they
cannot handle the light bulb controversy.

This is the internet...the wild, wild west.....there is no law out here.
Did you think all those bullies were still in that school.
Your passion came through in your first post.
Your effort to edit was time well spent.
All of this is your cpap experience that goes far beyond the
mechaincs of blowing air up your nose.

CPAP101 wrote:I thought this was a place to help!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are plenty of people, here, listening to your thoughts,
and you may not know it, but you will change someone's life.

"Life is change.
Growth is optional.
Choose wisely."
-- Karen Kaiser Clark

I'll see you on the road.

Welcome to the forum CPAP101.
I was able to understand your first post just fine and didn't say anything because I felt you had said what you wanted to say quite well and didn't need anything else.
You aren't the first person that the grammar police have chosen to police and you probably won't be the last unfortunately.
Try to look past the comments that were hurtful if you can.

Can I add another P to your 3 P's? Not mine originally because I stole it from a newbie.
Progression....it's all about Progression and not Perfection.
Very few people hit a home run first time a bat...sometimes we just have to be satisfied with getting on base and progressing from there.

Thank you carbonman for your first post! It is hilarious and chillingly insightful! I thank you too for your second post as it reflects the sentiments of many of us and confirms that, yes, the forum does still have a heart and compassion.

cpap101, I applaud your sharing what has helped you be successful with this therapy! Being successful at this cpap stuff is, for a lot of us, a long and wearing journey. Please know that you aren't alone and that there are a lot of us here that are with you 100%.

Suzanne

chunkyfrog wrote: I
Literary skill can be learned, but more often, it is a gift--one we should NEVER take credit for.
(oops--sentence ending in a preposition!)

A snobbish East Coast English Professor is visiting a colleague at a rural university in the Midwest. The colleague takes him to the local cafe for breakfast and introduces him to a few locals she's gotten to know over the years, including a farmer.

Farmer: Glad to meet you. Where do you come from?

Professor: It is improper to end a sentence with a preposition.

Farmer: I'm very sorry. Where do you come from, ***hole?

CPAP101

Thank you for the rewrite. It does make it easier to read and understand. You have written a lot of truth.

chunkyfrog wrote:
Literary skill can be learned, but more often, it is a gift--one we should NEVER take credit for.
(oops--sentence ending in a preposition!)

Chunky, That thing about prepositions is a myth, not a rule. From Oxford Dictionaries:

There’s no necessity to ban prepositions from the end of sentences. Ending a sentence with a preposition is a perfectly natural part of the structure of modern English.

Ending sentences with prepositions

Were you taught that a preposition should never be placed at the end of a sentence? There are times when it would be pretty much impossible to organize a sentence in a way that would avoid doing this, for example:

in some passive expressions:

√ The dress had not even been paid for.
X Paid for the dress had not even been.

√ The match was rained off.
X Rained off was the match.


in relative clauses and questions that include verbs with linked adverbs or prepositions:

√ What did you put that there for?
X For what [reason] did you put that there?

√ They must be convinced of the commitment they are taking on.
X Of the commitment they are taking on they must be convinced.

There’s no necessity to ban prepositions from the end of sentences. Ending a sentence with a preposition is a perfectly natural part of the structure of modern English.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/end ... epositions

CG: I knew someone would run with that!

Cman, another one of your priceless masterpieces! I'll be sending you the bill for my chiropractor visit after I fell off my chair!

@CPAP101, I'm so sorry your feelings were hurt, that's what I was afraid of and I don't blame you. One of our posters said something about being anonymous makes it easy to bully but I wonder how these same people behave in person? I hope you'll stay with us, I'm sure you have a lot to offer.