Hi everyone.. this may seem silly and am going to apologise now if I appear to go off on a tangent now and again but will try and keep this brief..

I have a couple of worries, mainly to do with health and as the days and weeks are going by, am feeling more weaker and drained because of it all (partly due to one of the health problems - sleep apnoea). I have two operations to face in the coming months and have already endured numerous tests (one of them quite serious and have now got something else to add to list of ailments - see above..)..
I dont wish to bore anyone with all the problems I deal with on a daily basis and have no wish to drone on but wondered whether anyone can give me any idea on how to reduce the stress this is causing me, reduce the emotional drain upon me and suggest something I can do to improve my general overall strength to get through what is still to come.  

I have very good family support but at times I feel very scared, alone, lost and confused.. please.. can anyone help?

blessings to all xxxx

MAMMBY,
Sounds to me like you are much like "someone else" I know who thinks no one wants to listen to your troubles or health problems. You have come to the right place, my Dear.  
No problem is too small or too large and it helps to air your problems every now and again.  
I am one who believes in the power of the tongue...you know what you speak, you just might receive.  Therefore, I tend to keep my troubles and problems to myself.  I feel that if I speak them, they just might come to be.  Well, I've come to learn that it helps to have a support system outside your family and/or personal friends.  The people I have met here in the castle and on the forums have been a wonderful support system for me.  I have discussed more with these folks than I ever have with my own close family or personal friends.  For one, no one judges me.  Now granted, some may give a pretty rash response, but never judge me.
Now, that being said.  
You have reason to be concerned.
With the sleep apnea, you aren't getting the rest you need and therefore cannot focus on the other, possibly more serious, problems you are facing.  
My suggestion to you is, relax, as hard as it may be, try to remain positive.  Know that whatever the outcome of the tests/surgeries may be, you are special, you are loved and you cannot change that.  Be thankful for all you have and for all your family and friends.  Don't dwell on what is ahead.  Whatever happens, happens.  Make sure you are at peace with all around you and breathe slow and deep. Take note of all your surroundings.
May sound trivial, but it's what I have to offer.  Hope it helps, but mostly hope you find peace and I'll have you in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Amethystone  

Have you ever tried to find a sleep apnea support group?  This is a common issue and I'm sure there are people that have similar things to discuss.  I know several people with this problem, and until it gets "fixed", it truly is very stressful.

Has your doctor suggested a CPAP machine? Both my Mom's Mom and my Dad has sleep apnea, and I've had to go into the doc for a sleep study too. The machine has a mask on it, that you fit over your mouth and nose when you go to sleep and it pumps air into your lungs.. My grandma uses it and she sleeps a lot better now. My dad doesn't, but my mom is so attuned to it, that she'll wake up and then wake him up, if he doesn't start up again.

Hope you get it all figured out, and No, we don't think the question or you are silly,

Mara

Many relaxing baths, aromatherapies, meditations, crystals, etc can be found all over this castle. I like herbal teas myself, and lighting candles to carry the energy for me when I feel slow. Lavender and chamomile scents, baths and teas help the mind relax, scents like geranium and sage can help cut tension...the possibilities are really endless, as are the cautions that come with using each. Could you specify what your interests are? Then we may be able to supply more specific suggestions to your request.

In the meantime, we send you strength, health, vitality, relief, peace of mind and ease of thought as you travel this lonely part of your path. It is a very unique situation you find yourself in, many people may have tests and operations done but the ones you are enduring now are uniquely yours, and your feelings of fear, loneliness and isolation are not unjustified. You are right to feel the way you feel. Like a flower, we cannot be in full bloom all the time, so take care to relax your mind and worries as you progress on your own path back into the warm sunlight of better, stronger feeling days.

I know that right up until the Winter Solstice (today), the promise of growing light, I just feel horrible. December is a very chaotic month for me, and so I take stock in the phenomena I observe in my days and really use this solstice to restore a sense of hope and well being when nothing else has suggested a reason to do so. Keep this in mind today if you like, to give yourself a reason to look ahead to and feel good about the better days that are sure to come.

It is through enduring difficulties that we become stronger. Be well.
RealEyez

Meditation helps me a lot when I feel overwhelmed.  Stopping that incessant mind chatter, or just even ignoring it for a few minutes once or twice a day can be a huge relief and stress reducer.
There are some very good podcasts (search itunes) that will lead you thru a short guided meditation, you don't need to study for years to get some relief.  
Try some out and you will probably find one that works for you.

Relaxing baths with some aromatherapy are good also.  Aromatherapy actually changes the chemistry of the brain temporarily and can shut down that mind chatter for a short time.

Just breathe. Take a moment, take a deep breath and let it all go.

Why worry about that which we cannot change, or for that matter worry over that which we can change.

(Some wise ass, er soul, told me that some time ago. LOL)

With the sleep apnea, and all troubles that go with it, once you get on a CPAP machine, you will find tons of relief with it. I agree wholeheartedly that support groups canbe life savers. You are among people who truly understand. I've known people with it, and their lives turned around totally after they got the infernal contraption (as more than one have called it, but they will not live without now!) They have even gotten smaller than before and have one that only goes over the nosey, and not the whol bottom half the face. Less confining/claustrophobicy!

Never worry here about asking questions or thinking anyone here is going to think it, or you are silly.