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Posted by Breathing easy on July 22, 2001 at 18:48:26:In Reply to: Re:Emergency trache 4 weeks ago- (Long response) posted by LISA on July 21, 2001 at 23:41:03:
Lisa -
I know that adjusting to the trach is not always easy, but most of the problems you are having are things that most of us have found get better with time. You will probably also find that you start to feel much better with the trach that you did without it, and feeling better will, all by itself, help you start working on the other health situations that may eventually allow you to have a smaller trach and perhaps even get rid of it entirely.
It is normal to feel the trach at first, and for it to be a bit irritating when you move certain ways. Some types of tubes are more that way than others. I found over time, however, that I got used to the tube being there and now I hardly even notice it at all. As you get better, and as your stoma begins to heal, you may be able to work with your doctor to find a tube that is more comfortable than the one you have now, but be patient with yourself, and remember that you have a very large mountain to climb from being found unresponsive by your mom to totally getting your life back. You didn't get to the bottom of the mountain in one day, and you won't get back to the top in one day either, but if you are determined to work hard at it, things will get better with time and effort. Set small goals for yourself each day, and celebrate the successes. At first it may be just sitting on the side of the bed for a few minutes each day. Then sitting in a chair for a few minutes. Then taking a single step. Then two steps, then three. Then getting dressed every day, and then fixing your hair. Then working with your doc to start moving around more, then exercising. One step at a time as you begin to get back into life again you will begin to feel better about yourself and your situation, and you will begin to improve. And you'll begin to feel so very grateful for the second chance at life the trach has given you.
I know that not being able to speak is a very big deal. Like you, I was not able to speak when I first got the trach, but in time I was able to speak by covering the tube with my finger. There are special types of tubes called fenestrated tubes that allow one to speak by finger occluding even with a large trach tube. You might want to ask you doctor at the next visit if it might be possible for you to use such a tube in the future. If your doctor is like mine, he or she will want you to heal for a while before you switch tubes. I also learned lots of other ways to communicate during that time - lessons I have greatly valued since that time, as it opened new horizons for me, and has made me measure my words much more carefully so I say less with greater impact rather than just "filling the airwaves with sound" as my good friend likes to say.
As my stoma healed, I found that I was eventually get rid of the gauze pads under the face plate of the trach, but it was quite a while before that happened. Perhaps in time you can do the same. For now, just know that what you are experiencing is a part of the healing process, and that every day is a gift to be enjoyed!
Please post a follow up if you would like to exchange thoughts with me, you certainly have my support. Know that all of us - even the other lurkers - are pulling for you and celebrating your successes with you as you make the journey back to good health!
- Re:Emergency trache 4 weeks ago- (Long response) MISSY 7/23/01 (0)
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