Walter Says - Vol IV

Sleep is that golden chain, that ties health and our bodies together

——Thomas Dekker

The Sleep That Stole My Sweetheart —

A Wake-Up Call About Sleep Apnea

I want to talk to you today about something that hits close to home—Sleep Apnea.

Not because I had it. But because my wife did.

And I’ll carry the sound of her snoring—and the silence that followed it—with me forever.

We spent over 40 years sleeping side by side. I remember nights when her snoring got so loud it rattled the bedroom window. But it wasn’t the noise that scared me. It was when it stopped. I’d lie there in the dark, waiting for her to breathe again. I’d nudge her, sometimes call her name. And then suddenly, she’d gasp—like she’d been underwater too long.

I begged her to get checked out. “It’s just snoring,” she’d say.

But it wasn’t. And deep down, I think we both knew it.

She never got tested. She never got help. And when her heart gave out, I was left with one more “what if” to carry.

So I’m telling you—don’t make the same mistake we did.

⸻

What Is Sleep Apnea, Really?

Sleep apnea is more than snoring. It’s when a person stops breathing—over and over—while they sleep.

There are three types:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Caused when the throat muscles relax and block the airway.

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): When the brain forgets to tell the body to breathe.

• Complex Sleep Apnea: A mix of both.

My wife had every sign of OSA. She just didn’t know how serious it was.

Warning Signs I Wish We Hadn’t Ignored

• Loud, chronic snoring

• Gasping or choking during sleep

• Waking up often

• Always feeling tired, no matter how long she slept

• Morning headaches

• Trouble concentrating

• Mood swings

If any of this sounds familiar—for you or someone you love—pay attention. This isn’t just about feeling tired. It’s about your heart. Your brain. Your life.

Who’s at Risk?

Sleep apnea doesn’t care if you’re sweet or stubborn. It shows up where there’s:

• Obesity

• Getting older

• A family history

• Menopause (ladies, yes, this affects you too)

• Alcohol before bed

• Smoking

• Chronic nasal congestion

• Health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes

My wife had some of these. But we didn’t connect the dots. Not until it was too late.

What Can Happen If You Ignore It?

Let me be plain: sleep apnea can do more than make you tired. It can wreck your health:

• Heart disease and stroke

• Type 2 diabetes

• Liver problems

• Memory loss

• Daytime drowsiness that can lead to accidents

• Early death

And the hardest part is, it doesn’t happen all at once. It creeps in. Quiet. Undetected. Like it did with her.

Getting Diagnosed

If I could go back, I’d drive her to the sleep lab myself.

• There’s the overnight sleep study (polysomnography), where they track your breathing and brainwaves while you sleep.

• Or a home sleep test, which is simpler and can catch many cases of OSA.

They’re painless. Just a little awkward. But awkward won’t kill you. Ignoring this might.

Treatments That Save Lives

If you’re diagnosed, there are solid solutions:

• CPAP machines (they keep air flowing through your airway while you sleep)

• Oral devices (for milder cases)

• Lifestyle changes (like weight loss, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol before bed)

• Surgery or new tech like Inspire therapy (a nerve stimulator that helps you breathe)

It’s not about perfection—it’s about protection. Your life, your energy, your future.

Walter Says: Don’t Wait Until You Can’t Say “I Told You So”

This one’s personal. I lost someone I loved because we thought snoring was just a nuisance. We didn’t know it was a red flag.

So if you’re waking up tired, if your spouse snores like a chainsaw, or if you catch yourself gasping in the middle of the night—don’t wait.

Talk to your doctor. Ask about a sleep test. Take it seriously.

You could be saving your heart, your brain—or your life.

And if it’s someone you love going through it, speak up. Push gently, but firmly. Because losing sleep is one thing. Losing the one you love? That’s something else entirely.

Walter says: I’m not a doctor, but I’ve learned the hard way. Get help while you still can. And as always, check with your doctor before making any changes.

Got questions? Want to share your story? Send them in. I’ll listen. I always do.