Hi Kent:

The thing I wish I had done before my first surgery was to talk to people who had experience with trachs. To me, that was a difficult part of the surgery, but to others here on that forum they breezed through it. That was the one thing I wish I had been better prepared for.

Not sure about your hospital, but it is very helpful in most cases to have an advocate who knows the ins and outs of all your normal medications, etc, etc. there with you for the majority of the time.

You can pretty much count on having your butt exposed at least once when you aren't counting on it! Check with your hospital re internet access.

Work hard with your speech pathologist. After the surgeons have done their bit - these are the people who are going to get you eating, drinking and speaking agin. You may not feel like listening to them just yet - but it is important to get started on recovery asap.

Take the drugs. There is no special badge given to you for not taking needed pain mediation.

And, if you have a favourite blankey - have someone bring it to you in the hospital - amazing how comforting such things are.

You'll do great - awesome attitude!

Donna