Expectations... I had a little different experience. I suffered with sleep apnea and didn't know what it was. I couldn't sleep, couldn't breath, was never rested. My friend had sleep apnea and slept with a BIPAP. I had never heard of it before. What he described to me about it sounded like it would help me. That was 2001. I went to the neurologist, had their sleep study, and finally got my CPAP in 2002! I was thrilled to get it. Since then I use it every night and don't even nap without it.
Was it magic? No, but it helped immeasurably. It didn't lower my blood pressure (I don't think) or help me loose weight. I had some hopes that it might, but never the expectations. But, it improved my life and health and I am very thankful for it.
And when we lost power and I had no CPAP, I struggled to sleep that night and it reinforced what the device did for me. And after a two hour drive to stay overnight, I turned around and drove home because I forgot my CPAP and wouldn't consider sleeping without it. I remember all too well what a struggle it was to sleep without it.
I try to learn from those who are further along life's journey than I am. I see their health struggles and know that my turn may come. That's part of the journey. You know the old saying that getting old is hard, but think of the alternative!
Dan