Val...
I agree that this is a very important group. I have been reading and
posting with the vent group for over a year now and the info has been
invaluable. After being trached in 1994...there were many times I felt
like I was the only one who ever had this happen to in reality I had a
friend in my apartment complex who had used a trach and vent since 1987.
But with this group you can ask all kinds of questions and never feel
stupid. It is nice to share stories of trach changes, vents, suctioning,
or whatever.
It is also something that within this group I have run into several
Carbondale people. (You and Mark Geisler) I don't know if you remember be
but I worked as graduate assistant from 1989-1993 at Disabled Student
Services at SIU. You spoke to the disability student group that was just
getting established.
As for me I was diagnosed with PPS in 1994 after being hospitalized with
respiratory failure. For almost 2 years I used an PLV 100 vent..but now I
use the Puritan Bennett Companion 2800. I use the vent at night or while
napping. During the day I breathe on my own. I use a power chair for
mobility.
Some my hobbies are drawing, the cruising the internet, computer graphics,
needle point, and taking care of the wide variety of animals I have. (7
cats, bunny, and 9 birds)
Take care
Annette Hanna
nete1(AT)midwest.net