Tracheostomy class

Hi everyone,

We should mention that the pictures in the previous post were taken when Peter pulled out his feeding tube. That's why he's looking so pleased with himself! Didn't I mention the nurses are good-humored? They took the cute pictures for us, then stuck the tube back in.

Today Michel and I attended a one-on-one trach class to learn how to take care of Peter's tracheostomy when he comes home. The class covered inserting and removing the trach tube, suctioning, cleaning, and emergency procedures. We got to practice on a baby doll. The class lasted about 5 hours (not including lunch break) and by the end of it, we were experiencing information overload. Fortunately we now get some on-the-job training, helping the nurses with Peter's trach each day to get ready for going solo at home. Chances are Peter will have to keep his tracheostomy until March, as the hospital does not like to remove them during flu season. One other trach-related concern we had was laid to rest today: the tracheostomy information booklet had spoken in very disparaging terms about pet hair, and one of the nurses had indicated that pets and trachs were incompatible. We simply did not know what we would do with our three dear cats! But the instructor said that it would not be a problem.

We have also started hearing some tentative time frames for Peter's recovery. He is receiving milk at a gradually increasing rate, and will soon reach the point when we can try bottle feeding. He is expected to have kicked the methadone and ativan habit in a week or two. At about the same point he will graduate to the third floor recovery unit and will no longer be in intensive care--that's a big deal! The doctors have ventured to say he might be discharged in six to eight weeks. By October, if all goes well, fats can be gradually re-introduced into his diet until he is able to have my milk. No one can say whether he can be taught to nurse at that point, or whether he will only bottle feed.

When Peter is discharged, it will be a joyful day. For now he has some more recovering to do, and we must become proficient in trach care. We must also make arrangements for in-home nursing which involves finding agencies covered by our insurance and interviewing them. It will be a lot better in a lot of ways if Peter is able to get off the ventilator. That means he will just breathe through the trach tube, but without being constantly attached to, and dependent on, the machine. The doctors are certainly hoping to get him off the ventilator before he is discharged--please pray that this will be so.