Rockin' the new trach! |
My old trach |
The biggest problem with the old trachs is that he's getting more mobile. He's rolling back and forth and trying to roll over. Now, this isn't really a problem. It's fantastic on so many levels! It means he's getting stronger. It means he's developing more connections in his brain with purposeful movement. It even means being healthier, because the more he moves, the better he is at getting oxygen down into those far corners of the lungs and into his blood. (You know, kinda one of the main challenges he has.) That's why after surgery, the nurses are always telling you to move around and to cough. They want to make sure the lungs are opening up all the way.
Anyway, the challenge for him with rolling is the pressure and pull that the circuit (the tubes that carry the oxygen and air from the ventilator to him) put on the trach. Think about it. He's got this stoma, hole, in his neck with an inflexible piece of plastic then attached to a (relatively) heavy circuit. Yep, he was tearing that stoma. Now, I don't think it was painful, or at least he didn't act like it was. But we've had several small tears and a couple of moderate tears over the past couple months. Not really what we're wanting on so many levels: risk of infection or increased decannulation (trach coming out accidently) to name two.
So the solution? A trach with a flexible end. Now it lays flat on his chest and can move so much more without any stress on his stoma. Fantastic!
One month after getting my trach. |
But due to a wonderful fighting spirit, an incredible medical team (with this woman in the forefront), and many miracles, he is still here, and he is rolling over. And we're looking towards school and further on down the road. Yea for Aaron!
"The road to
success is always under construction”
Lily Tomlin
That's really awesome! Keep growing and getting stronger, Aaron!
ReplyDeleteI bet I know who that amazing woman is.....
ReplyDeletexoxo
Tammy and Parker
Yep, Tammy, I bet you do! I need to give you a call and try to come see you sometime this week. Is there a good time?
Delete