Hi Amy,

I am so sorry to hear about John. As a caregiver too, I know how scared you must be. Everyone has given you so much valuable information, I just wanted to reiterate about the trach. My husband had to have an emergency trach put in midway through his radiation treatments and they kept it in until he finished treatment just to be on the safe side.

At first he was very scared because he felt like he couldn't breathe. When he was in the hospital he would call the nurses in a lot to suction his trach. I stayed with him and that gave him peace of mind to have someone with him. He couldn't talk with that particular type of trach.

When he came home they replaced the trach with another kind that he could talk with. I also learned how to clean the trach, I suggest you have the nurses teach you how to do that too. It's very helpful. You might also want to get a suction machine to use to keep the trach cleaned out as well. I can't tell you how many times at night my husband would get up to use that suction machine.

When they removed my husband's trach, I was amazed at how quickly it healed. He still has a small scar but you can barely see it.

My prayers are with you both. You've got another battle ahead of you, but I know you can beat this awful disease!! Take care and hang tough.

Hugs,

Shelley