Every year, twice a year in fact we go for our son's trach review. The procedure is called a bronchoscopy. A bronchoscopy is a procedure used to look in the lungs' airways, called the bronchi and bronchioles. The airways carry air from the trachea, or windpipe, to the lungs.
During this procedure Gage sits on my lap as Dr.Drummond passes a thin, flexible tube called a bronchoscope down his throat, and into his airway. At the bronchoscope's tip there is a light and a mini camera so the doctor can view the windpipe and airways. As Gage sits on my lap I can literally see his airway and what it is doing on a small television that is right beside me. While the camera is in there pictures are taken and dated to give us an idea on the outcome of the trach.
March 2007, trach review for decanualtion is denied.
I know in my heart that he only had the trach for three months but I believe a small part of anyone of us mothers with children with trachs, have a fleeting glimpse of hope. Hope that perhaps our very life as we knew it pre-trach will some how come back to us. We hope to never carry a suction machine around again to functions, to grocery stores, walks, car rides. We won't have to answer questions regarding what is that?, or have the side long glances when we go out. Never to worry about summer's heat drying up secretions, or bugs getting in there,the continual humming of a moisture machine adding noise to an already loud household. Never worrying about whether we packed the two spare trachs in case an emergency trach change is needed. Never worrying about purchasing distilled water, and boiling water to clean equipment. Never worrying about a twin sister shoving something down the trach to test the laws of physics. Never worrying about a posey change. Constant hand sanitizing, and purchasing the sanitizer in bulk quantites, as well as kleenex. Never worrying about equipment maintenance and equipment supplies being ordered. Never worrying about hiring staff to care for our son,and doing payroll. Never worrying about telling friends they can't come over because they have a cold. Never worrying about the slightest cold turning into an infection and rushing him into emergency.
Trach I love you for saving my son's life but I really would like to have my "normal" life back. Trach and I seem to have a love and hate relationship I know when you are gone from my life I most certainly will reflect on all of our memories together we have had with my son, but sadly trach I never want to experience or see you again!!
March 2007.
Every year, twice a year in fact we go for our son's trach review. The procedure is called a bronchoscopy. A bronchoscopy is a procedure used to look in the lungs' airways, called the bronchi and bronchioles. The airways carry air from the trachea, or windpipe, to the lungs.
During this procedure Gage sits on my lap as Dr.Drummond passes a thin, flexible tube called a bronchoscope down his throat, and into his airway. At the bronchoscope's tip there is a light and a mini camera so the doctor can view the windpipe and airways. As Gage sits on my lap I can literally see his airway and what it is doing on a small television that is right beside me. While the camera is in there pictures are taken and dated to give us an idea on the outcome of the trach.
March 2007, trach review for decanualtion is denied.
I know in my heart that he only had the trach for three months but I believe a small part of anyone of us mothers with children with trachs, have a fleeting glimpse of hope. Hope that perhaps our very life as we knew it pre-trach will some how come back to us. We hope to never carry a suction machine around again to functions, to grocery stores, walks, car rides. We won't have to answer questions regarding what is that?, or have the side long glances when we go out. Never to worry about summer's heat drying up secretions, or bugs getting in there,the continual humming of a moisture machine adding noise to an already loud household. Never worrying about whether we packed the two spare trachs in case an emergency trach change is needed. Never worrying about purchasing distilled water, and boiling water to clean equipment. Never worrying about a twin sister shoving something down the trach to test the laws of physics. Never worrying about a posey change. Constant hand sanitizing, and purchasing the sanitizer in bulk quantites, as well as kleenex. Never worrying about equipment maintenance and equipment supplies being ordered. Never worrying about hiring staff to care for our son,and doing payroll. Never worrying about telling friends they can't come over because they have a cold. Never worrying about the slightest cold turning into an infection and rushing him into emergency.
Trach I love you for saving my son's life but I really would like to have my "normal" life back. Trach and I seem to have a love and hate relationship I know when you are gone from my life I most certainly will reflect on all of our memories together we have had with my son, but sadly trach I never want to experience or see you again!!