Sleep Apnea
Two nights later on Friday, September 25, 2009, God woke me up again. This time to tell me that “I would not need my CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine any longer.” I immediately took it off, and have never used it again.
By the way, I was a level 20 on the CPAP; as high as you can go before they put you on a BiPAP (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure) machine. Yes, the doctor had wanted me on a BiPAP but was also very hesitant. He spoke of how it can blow out a lung, and being a doctor, he still had reservations and hesitation. After telling me that, I did not feel comfortable in changing to the BiPAP. I decided I would just stay like I was. At least it would keep me breathing. I had remained tired and the machine did little to help alleviate that.
Sometime prior to getting in church I was taking Provigil (to improve wakefulness related to excessive sleepiness), the medication cost - $10.00 per pill and I required 3 pills per day @ $30.00 per day, or $840.00 per month. Now, it sounds funny to be in a predicament like this, yet that is exactly where I found myself. $840.00 is a bit of money just to have to pay to be able to stay awake. Now I ask you who pays close to a thousand dollars a month just to stay awake?
I could not afford it forever. Therefore, I had no choice but to accept that the problem had left me in a horrible situation and there was no way out. I might also add that with the severity of my Sleep Apnea, there was no effect from taking the pills, like a strong dose of caffeine. They just managed to help keep me awake.
After missing a few services, I HAD to find a way to adjust my schedule in order to go to church. On Saturdays I had to make sure I got to bed early enough or I found I could not get up to go to church on Sunday morning. I also found that if I didn’t get a nap in the afternoon, I couldn’t go Sunday evening. It was the same on the Wednesday night service. If I didn’t get a nap in the afternoon, I just couldn’t seem to drag myself there.
I would also fall asleep in the car on the drive there, and my husband would have to wait until we were in the parking lot before waking me or I would go right back to sleep. The same would happen on the drive home.
Many times I didn’t dare close my eyes at church for longer than a few moments, or I would immediately find myself drifting off to sleep. I was struggling to stay awake; I did NOT come to church to go to sleep in God’s house. That was unacceptable! I was raised with a respect for God and His house. Still I struggled to be at church and stay awake while I was there.
Maybe it seems trivial to you to miss a service; and previously I would have agreed with you. NOW in my heart, I see it as missing a chance to be in God’s house and that it REALLY DOES MATTER! I don’t know how to explain it, but I have a burning desire to be there. I KNEW in my heart this is what I MUST DO!!!
I also discovered during this time, that God didn’t require me to close my eyes while praying. I could pray to God anytime, anyplace and be doing anything, He was still there and would hear me with my eyes wide open. This was NOT how I was raised – you didn’t leave your eyes open when praying to God, that was not respectful. I was determined I was going to make it work and nothing was going to stand in my way with my walk with God, it was too important! I am THANKFUL God doesn’t play by those rules.
In this miracle; the distinction is taking me off my CPAP and getting restful sleep. With removal of the CPAP I would not stop breathing while sleeping. Since I was not on the stronger BiPAP I could not get the rest that my body required. I could not go into REM (Rapid eye movement) sleep.
Lynn’s CPAP Miracle Recording: 
I do not profess to read God’s mind, nor would I ever want to try. This is just simply a greater understanding of what God did for me. Therefore, that is why in my case, I felt God chose to split the miracle instead of all at once. First, taking me off the CPAP and keeping me alive. Secondly, the constant struggle with just making it to church. He did not make it easy; He required that I show determination and faithfulness. By honoring God and being faithful, He poured out this miracle!
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2