I am sort of going to try to as they say, kill 2 birds with one stone, but
why anyone would want to kill a bird is beyond me. :) I would like to
introduce myself and respond to my friend Annette's question at the same
time. Annette was the one who told me about the list and I am really excited
about it.
My name is Sharyl Teeters aka WickyT or actually, my nickname is just Wicky,
but it was already taken as a screen name. I am 45 yrs. old, married with
one son and live in Southern Ohio. I use the Lifecare 100 ventilator at night
only. I have been trached and on the vent since March of last year. I have
noticed that most of the folks seem to have PPS. I have a combination of
scoliosis(curve of the spine), COPD, and severe sleep apnea. I also used
oxygen 24 hours a day. I am able to get around on my own except when we go
somewhere that involves a lot of walking, then I use a wheelchair.
In answer to Annette's question, I do my own trach care. My husband suctions
me, however I don't need to very often. I have to use a nebulizer for
breathing treatments due to my COPD and it usually loosens the secretions
until I can cough them up. I change my own circuits usually. My husband and
son both help me with my tanks, etc. We pitch in together to try to keep the
household going. I can do some house work, but not all. I would like to have
someone come in, but I can never seem to find anyone! Maybe cause I have so
many cats! :)
Again, this list really excites me, sometimes I have felt like I was the only
person in the world with one of these darn things. One question that I have,
do the rest of you have oxygen attached to your vents, or do they just work
with regular air? Please excuse my ignorance.
Sincerely,
Sharyl aka Wicky