how does it feel

Hi Leanne, I am sorry it has taken awhile to answer-this message board is not very active. I have bronchotracheomalacia (floppy airways) and have had my trach 3.5 years. I am so much more comfortartable with it, it is so much easier to breathe. I don't feel mine at all, unless the trach is bumped or I turn my head too far (this does not hurt, it just makes me cough) It doesn't hurt to change the trach unless there is some irritation and/or swelling. It is like putting in a pierced earring, just bigger Taste is not affected. Smell is somewhat reduced because most of the air is going into the trach, but you can still smell, especially is you cover the trach and inhale. I do not suction often because I have a strong cough. Suctioning doesn't hurt either, especially if you just suction the tube. Going beyond the tube makes you gag, so it is not especilly comfortable, but it does not hurt. Your son is young enough that socially the trach won't make a difference. If you have more questions, please ask. My email is magsB90@hotmail.com Margaret

[Olga]

Hi
I am intrigued about Margarets comments about taste and smell.
I thought that if you cannot smell that it would affect your ability to taste.
Grace was trached at nine weeks due to subglottic haemangioma which went on to completely block her airway, so she couldn't inhale through her nose, so therefore she had absolutely no sense of smell at all. She is now two and the airway is now beginning to open up, but I am still unsure about how much she can taste her food, apart from the basic sweet, salt, sour and bitter. I do know that she prefers stronger flavoured and salty things like crisps and pickled onions!
I would appreciate your comments. Olga