does anyone go into trach chat?

tranorris · #1 04-11-2008, 07:11 PM

Im a new member here and i keep going into trach chat and no one is ever in there. Is there a certain time ppl go into it? I love to chat with others with the same problems....................tammy

Mom2TwinsPlus1 · #2 04-11-2008, 07:18 PM

I have been in from time to time, but no one is ever there. A set time or two though out the day or certain days might be nice

tranorris · #3 04-11-2008, 07:25 PM

I think it would be a good idea because we can all learn from talking to each other. I am the trach patient here and I believe I can help alot of you out with questions. I am a 47 female and had a trach for two years also on a vent at nite. I can tell you what things feel like from experience and help with alot of you with kids or family members with trachs and vents. I have learned so much in two years. I feel sometimes like I know more than the doctors, respitory thereipist and nurses. lol.......................tammy

Becky · #4 04-11-2008, 08:15 PM

Hi Tammy, welcome to the boards!

I'm Becky, a 34 yr old woman w/ a trach and vent at nite. I've had both for 15 years now. I agree about knowing more then the doctors, resp. therpists and other medical professionals know! I think that its because we live with our trach everyday and know our bodies the best. The medicals professionals only see us once in awhile. And I think we do bring a unique perspective to the boards for the familes because we're able to answer questions that the parents wonder about, things like, does it hurt to suction, does it hurt or feel funny to have a trach changed etc, that thier kids are unable to answer. Anyway, again welcome to the boards.

Becky

chris · #5 04-12-2008, 11:44 AM

You gals are awesome ,sure have been through it .I'm a newbie (13 months).I'm
starting to get used to it.
SEE YA CHRIS

tranorris · #6 04-12-2008, 12:18 PM

Becky can you share how in the heck you found a husband. Everyone seems to run if you have an illness now adays. I found that someone would rather be with an alcoholic or drug user than an honest, caring person that happens to show there disability on the outside. We can hide ours. We are just regular people that probably have more compassion than the ordinary people. My partner left me after 8 yrs. of a relatinship. I put up with her drinking for all them years and she left and said the nurses were to much. I couldnt believe it. Just companionship would be great to me. Ive done everything in my life i wanted to, seen everything and jsut want to settle down to a quiet homebody person. There doesnt seem to be anyone out there like that. Im still able to be very independent, i shop, drive, go out to eat, but this dissability seems to make ppl run. You are blessed to have found someone. Tell me your secret lol..........................tammy

jacksprat · #7 04-14-2008, 06:45 AM

Hi Tammy -

I spoke with Becky online a long time ago(like 10 years ago) and she was involved with someone then. Then more recently I found her online again and we began talking again and had enough in common that we wanted to meet each other. It wasn't supposed to be a date.. We went to lunch and then the library for some genealogy research(hot stuff!), but we liked each other and began dating. I really don't consider her to be disabled. She is so self reliant that I rarely need to help her with anything. You know how they say Love is blind? I truly believe this is so, because I look at some of her clothes and think that they cannot possibly fit her. I really do see her as a normal person. And like I told her the other day, with kids getting who knows what pierced nowadays, you guys can just tell em they're all wimps, cuz you got your throat pierced!

Anyway, as far as people running, I think a lot of it has to do with fear because a lack of knowledge. If something had gone wrong when we were out on our first date, I mighta freaked out and run too.. But now that I know what's going on, I think she freaks out about some things more than I do now.
Bot somehow that knowledge needs to be communicated without being rude.. It's not like I could have just walked up to Becky and asked for her life story and all about her trach! It's just an extra level of weirdness on top of the normal meeting someone new/dating weirdness that's always present.

I think there's someone for everyone, sometimes it just takes awhile to find them. I think there was a reason why I rejected everyone before I met Becky and now I can't imagine being without her.

JWorthington · #8 04-18-2008, 12:14 PM

Hi Tammy and welcome! I go on chat from time to time. I think the best thing to do is put a post up inviting people to chat at a certain time, then you will find someone on there. Also if you leave chat running in the background it will tell you when someone else signs in. I've done that a few times.

Juliex