17 May 2023
Joyce received the results from her WatchPAT sleep apnea test this morning. The data was inconclusive so she'll have to take it again. Call to reschedule.
So she did.
"Oh, yes," the technician said, "the oxygen data didn't make sense. It was impossible."
You get a prize if you know why.
It struck us after a heart beat or six. Raynaud's syndrome, which restricts blood flow to her fingers. It makes it impossible for her to get a blood oxygen reading from the visiting nurse's oximeter. And is why she uses an Apple watch to get that reading.
Did the finger probe of the WatchPAT have had the same problem as the oximeter?
"That would explain it!" the technician expressed some relief. "I think you're our first case with that."
So June 1 she will return to French for a different test that accommodates Raynaud's.
Snore on until then.