 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | They make portable suction machines that can be used at home or when you travel and there are stationary machines, big suckers, that you can also rent. I always found it almost impossible to suction myself but had home health care to help me after my surgery. I found sleeping with a good humidifier next to my bed helped thin my secretions. If at all possible, I would avoid a permanent trach.
Since her airway is clear, I would address the cause of the low O2 levels. What are they doing to alleviate this?
Take care,
Eileen
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Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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