Insomnia makes a sorry bedfellow

Insomnia, or trouble sleeping, is a common problem for many people, but for patients with cancer, insomnia seems to be a lesser symptom among the many attributed to the disease.  Insomnia can present as difficulty falling asleep, multiple awakenings during the night, or early morning awakenings with the inability to get back to sleep. The potential causes of insomnia are many. A personal or family history of insomnia, the presence of a depression or an anxiety disorder, advanced age, and female gender all put a patient at higher risk of developing insomnia. Factors that may contribute to the development of insomnia include: certain medications, hospitalization, chemo, radiation, or hormonal therapy, pain, hot flashes, nausea and vomiting.

Oh how I long for a good night's sleep! Since having surgery, I've tried just about everything I know and nothing seems to be working. My chest is so raw and tender I can barely stand for anything to touch it. The 14 inch long incisions travel out from the middle of my chest on each side to just past my armpits on my back. My sweet husband has tried to form a wedge shaped pillow mountain hoping I would be able to lie comfortably on it and sleep well throughout the night, but even his most valiant efforts haven't done the trick. Melatonin, Sleeptime tea, Benadryl, ZZZquil, even a glass of wine...nothing allows me to sleep throughout the night. I am soooo tired, and when you're physically tired your mind doesn't function well either.

I'm a side sleeper and always have been. I love curling up on my right side, tucking my arm underneath my pillows and slipping into dreamland. Since my surgery, I physically can't sleep on my side any longer because of the pain involved with my incisions. If I stretch or move in the wrong way, I'm reminded the surgeon recently penetrated not only my skin but multiple layers of tissue and muscle underneath. 

Sleep is designed to help your body rest, recover and repair. A lack of sleep has been proven to be detrimental to your health, in fact, it can even promote tumor growth in cancer patients. So what's a woman to do? Should I try to take a nap sometime today in my recliner? Should I stay awake as long as I can and go to bed earlier tonight? I don't know but I am hoping this cycle of sleeplessness will soon be over. Tonight I'm going to claim Psalm 4:8 " In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust." (Amplified Bible)

Would you say a little prayer that I can sleep soundly too, please? Thank you in advance...

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