Sleep Apnea.

It's been a road we've travelled for more than 2 years, and an issue we've had for 10+ years.  I say "we" because that which affects Rick's sleep also affects mine. 
Rick's sleep issues started off with pretty mild snoring.  At the start of our relationship, the snoring was limited to only in DEEP sleep, and only on his back.  It progressed to snoring in multiple positions, with myself waking up more often to "nudge" him into a position that he didn't snore in.  Then it was almost constant snoring in any position almost immediately upon falling asleep.  It is really amazing how I adapted to block out the sound- I am a very light sleeper, and although the slightest noise from my daughter will immediately cause me to awaken, I could sleep through the loudest of sawing logs from my husband.
Snoring is one thing....sleep apnea is another issue altogether.
2 years ago Rick's doctor suggested he go for a sleep study, on account he is often fatigued during the day, took frequent naps and had general low energy.  The study found Rick to be a "champion snorer" (no surprise there) and also found him to have moderate sleep apnea.  This means that his throat would often close at night while sleeping, causing him to "wake up" and gasp for breath 10-30 times an hour (= 80+ times a night).  It would bring him out of REM so that his body would not get the rest it needed.  It's a serious condition, and causes stress on the heart and body on a daily basis.  His blood oxygen level would often go below 75%, a critical level. 
Over the last 2 years, I have heard the problem get worse.  In the last few months, I hoped for the nights where I hear the snoring; as opposed to the scary void of breathing- then the huge *GASP* of breath in to start up the oxygen levels again.
There were many ways to treat this condition.  We've tried sleep position manipulation (fail), dental appliance (gag reflex-fail), and the C-PAP breathing machine; designed to create a vacuum condition so that the airway does not close (epic fail).  Nothing helped, so Rick was put on short-list for surgery as a "diagnosed untreated" serious condition.
Bring on scheduled surgery for this summer.  It's a 5 hour surgery consisting of removal of the tonsils, securing the uvula to the top of the throat, tightening the tongue muscles to move it forward, and some other throat procedures all in an effort to widen his airway and prevent collapse during sleep.  There's a 65-70% success rate.
Surgery was today.
The waiting was the worst, seeing Rick post-surgery was second worst.  The surgery went very well according to the doctor.  He was a perfect patient.  You wouldn't think that seeing him, though.  Tubes, breathing apparatus, IVs, swelling, pain.  I felt so bad for my Ricky.  I was only able to spend 15 min with him before visiting hours were over.
Recovery next.