Sleep Studies and Sleep Buddies

Maggie has to have regular sleep studies because of the way that her midface fused. While majority of people in this world have nasal cavities and upper jaws that progressively move forward in utero, Maggie’s fused much too early. This has left her with pinched and crowded airways that are conducive to snoring, positional apnea and reduced oxygen levels (I would add an adorable little nose and grin). While the first sleep study showed mild positional apnea, her second sleep study showed a marked increase in apnea episodes. With these results came referrals to our plastic surgeon and ENT team to discuss surgery. Ugh.

These results didn’t sit right with us. Maggie breathes well at night, and she has learned to adjust herself when she is in the wrong position. The only exception is when she has a cold or respiratory issue. The inflammation that comes with colds causes huge pauses in breathing, leaving her gasping and snoring majority of the night. Coincidentally, Carlos and I noted that a couple days after the second sleep study she came down with a cold. We both wondered, is the inflammation from colds affecting her breathing up to two days before we see any other symptoms? We asked our doctors for a third sleep study, and they agreed to one more.

Maggie bravely sat there as the technician placed 22 stickers all over her head, face and torso. She kicked off the foot monitor multiple times, which is pretty normal for kids. After three days I received the long-awaited phone call, “Maggie’s results show a similarity to her first study, and an improvement from her second. She has mild positional sleep apnea.” Yes! Surgery averted for now.

I am so appreciative of all of you who share, “Maggie, I still have your magnet on the fridge.” or “I still pray for Maggie whenever I see her magnet.” Those prayers have led us to coast into a peaceful way of life.

So what else has this little lady been up to?

She started Kindergarten and is likely the quietest person in her co-op class. Carlos can verify her lack of outward participation because he helps in her class. Yet when she gets home, she demonstrates all that she has learned. Maggie also has speech therapy twice a week, once with the school district and another privately (due to the generosity of others). Maggie has to work hard at making various sounds due to her oral structure. Majority of the time her ks sounds like ts, but two weeks ago a page was turned. Maggie is making an isolated k sound repeatedly!

Many people don’t get to see her outgoing personality that makes up dances, pretends to be an old lady, imitates us when we are zoned out or sleeping. She has a great sense of humor and catches us off guard with her quick wit. When she doesn’t like being told what to do, she’ll playfully growl and give an adorable frown and then say, “I’m just kidding.” She told me recently, “Mama I like to wiggle my eyebrows because it makes people smile.” She also shared with me recently, “I am a little in charge of you Mama”.

I hope to send out another update soon because Maggie has a little something that is coming in the mail…