changing your own trach

[jamie]

For those adults on the board, do you change your own trach?
Do you have a helper?
Do you at least have someone else in the house?

Evan changed his trach ties BY HIMSELF while I was sleeping !!!

I am thrilled that he is so independent. but scared that if something went wrong I was ASLEEP.

Am I making too big a deal about it? I twas just the ties not the actual trach. And he does help me with his changes.

[Momoffive]

Wow, he did them by himself? Maybe suggest that he let you know next time, in case he needs help.....Robin doesn't reallly do any of his care (apart from coughing his secretions most of the time), but I have been telling him I'd like him to be participating in his trach changes so that he knows he can do it. I'm looking forward to seeing what some others say!

[Big Al]

When Evan gets older they will give him an adult trach with an inner canula, it will not need changed like the smaller trachs, it will be changed every six months or so. It is good for him to be learning his own care and being independent, as it seems he's on track to be independent living. There is a guy at vent camp who is trached and vented at night, but with no other physical issues, he attends Penn State Harrisburg and lives on his own in the dorm. Good luck.

[jamie]

Al that is exactly what i want to hear. That some day Evan will be independent not because I do not want to care for him, but because he will have a more fullfilled life.

for now though i wish he would at least make sure I am awake, when he showers or changes his trach ties or gives himself water which he has also done.
that way if he comes into a problem he can holler for me.

[bigalexe]

Assuming everything goes as planned, changing a trach is not a huge event once the stoma is mature. If things don't go perfectly you may end up suctioning a little bit of blood out after changing or something but again that is minimal.

I could change my trach alone if I chose to, however I choose to have someone assist me and do it. My biggest problem changing the trach is hitting the hole properly the first attempt, and once you start irritating the skin around the stoma then you get aggravated and it gets progressively harder.

Verdict:
Is it necessary to have someone assist in changing a trach? NO
Is it advisable to have someone assist in the interest of your own comfort? YES

[jamie]

i like your verdict Alex i agree with you.