When the surgeon came by early in the morning for rounds I asked about when speech/swallowing therapy should start, and he said when David isn't using the high flow concentrator and is comfortable using the Passy Muir valve. David is having such a horrible time with dryness and was having a bad time with thick, excessive secretions and wasn't getting any relief with the cool mist from the little hood that sits over the trach tube opening. So, RT got him the high flow.

I'll ask about home nurse visits and/or possibly an RT checking back in. An RT delivered a compressor, suction machine and supplies to our house earlier today and showed me how to use the machines. I'm hoping and betting on breathing issues resolving themselves once David's home so he should be fine switching back to the cool mist. The air quality in the hospital is the WORST - it's VEEERRRY dry. I've had issues with it myself staying at the hospital with my husband and even the surgeon admitted it's something they (the docs) deal with when on call and have to be in the hospital long periods of time.