I have had a tracheostomy and used a ventilator mostly at night since 1971.
I had polio in 1950 at the age of 11. Scoliosis and a bad case of pneumonia
resulted in repeated episodes of respiratory failure until the permanent
tracheostomy was necessary. I experienced an amazing improvement and was
able to continue my career as a physician-psychiatrist until July 1996 when I
was forced to retire because of post-polio syndrome.
I use a Bennett Companion 2800 portable ventilator. I use a metal swivel
trach tube at night and a plugged plastic trach tube in the day. I can
breathe by it and cough by it easily. I do use a mouth piece when I use the
ventilator during the day. I do not inflate the cuff. Actually, I use tubes
that are cuffless. If I have the flu, then I use a tube with a cuff and
inflate it.
I am married, have three grown children, have one grandson, and a
granddaughter due in early April.
Take care all and I would like to hear from you.
Henry Holland
Richmond, Va.
Henry4FDR(AT)aol.com