Post surgery do you go home with a trach?

Yes, some patients are sent home from the hospital with a trach. Other oatients get the trach removed. Its on a case by case basis.

I was a registered respiratory therapist prior to a 15 year career in hospital administration. So, I'm experiencing a high level of anxiety regarding the trach. I can't imagine my family suctioning me.

Do you have an idea of what cases would come home with a trach.

And do you know if it is a low percentage of patients that come home with a trach?

Overall the trach is just another tool to help you eliminate the cancer. Im not a medical professional but I have had a trach and read hundreds of our members posts about them. They arent fun but Ive been thru far worse. Your questions is not easy to answer. There are far too many variables involved. A patients age, general health, tumor location, amount of swelling (that always seems to take forever to go down) are just a few things that can affect how long the trach will be in. Even comparing a similar patient isnt a good comparison as every person is different and will react in their own unique way. Plus every doctor is different as well and will have a different idea of how long the trach can be in. We all have a fear of the unknown. Maybe it would make this easier if you could focus on the things you have control over? I would also discuss this in detail with your physician. They should have done many surgeries like yours and should know how long their average patient needs the trach. Also ask your doc about the possey muir valve trach. Its a type of trach that allows the patient to talk easier. I dont know if this is an option in your situation with having an extensive surgery. It cant hurt to ask if it would be something to help make the trach easier for you.

Christine,

You've made several great points. I'm sorry for my ignorance as it relates to the multiple scenarios/obstacles of post surgery issues.

I realize the one thing I'm digressing on.....is the ONLY thing I know about. It will be okay.

Deb

No apologies necessary, Deb! We're here to help get you thru everything you are facing. I completely understand where you are coming from and what its like to face an upcoming major surgery. I wish I could tell you the trach wont go home with you, but it could.

At the hospital when patients go home from major illnesses or surgeries, they may require additional medical assistance. At your next doc appointment, ask about if you will need a visiting nurse. If you would go home with a trach, to me that should be enough to have a visiting nurse several times a week. I know feeding tubes have someone come out the very first day you come home and a few follow ups. You may need a home health aid to help you as well. Ive always had great experiences with the visiting nurses. Every one Ive ever had has been very kind and caring.

Maybe this would make it a little easier for you. When I was killing time waiting for my big surgery in 2009, I would take my kids out on "adventures". I wanted to make sure they had lots of great memories with their mom. Almost daily we would go out and do different things. We went fishing, boating, zip lining, bike riding, hiking, etc. By keeping them super busy it helped me to make sure they werent spending time worrying. It worked great for us, would this be something you might want to do?

Some people apparently do get sent home with the trach still in. In my case, I stayed in the hospital until it was removed, and I could prove that I could eat enough calories on my own, without the feeding tube. In my experience, the trach started out with a larger opening and as I started to heal, they replaced it with a smaller and smaller insert. Suction was required quite often initially, but it also had to be done less often as I healed.

Hello,
I am a FULL TIME trachy...ughh If I only knew back then what I know now....Tink22...I'm not a DR. but heres my scoop. I came out of treatments and neck dissection with NO trach....then about a year later, I was having difficulty breathing. When I climbed stairs I would have to stop and take a breath. So my journey began to check out the reasons and if it was my lungs etc...everything was fine. I did all sorts of MRI and tests and the only thing my ENT said was my esophagus was narrowing from the rads. OK but I was still very active...then BAMMM one night a mucus plug had gotten stuck in my airway. I LOST my breath and passed out. My husband did CPR and called 911. Finally, my ENT suggested the TRAKE to play it safe. I was under the impression it was a temporary situation bcuz the plan was to do a DIOLATION to stretch out the esophagus. In my heart and mind I still felt it was temporary. Little did I know your body begins to depend on the TRAKE... I am C-FREE for which I am very grateful for but I feel had I known a little bit more, maybe I wouldn't be dependent on all this stuff. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I just wish I had better guidance.....Not sure if this helps you. My intention is to saY 1 THING...EDUCATE YOUR SELF. DID I READ THAT YOU ARE A NURSE.? if yes, then I'm sure you know the drill. GOOD luck I hope everything goes great for you.


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