>After all these years, I completely accept my trach. I don't
>feel subconsious or "burdened" by it. Most times, I take it completely
>for granted and don't consiously know its there. My system no longer
>rejects it and generates practically no mucous. Many days, I only need
>suctioning once or twice. I travel all over town alone with little fear
>of getting "clogged up". My cuffless trach (Shiley) allows me to cough
>up any offending secretions, should any occur.
While I've been trached for 9 years now, I only have to hook up to the vent
and concentrator at night or whenever I lie down to rest. Because of my better
and more stable health with the trach I, too, lead a very active life. I drive
and do things all by myself on a daily basis. I have even taught an adult
education class while having a trach, and I've been the facilitator of
numerous groups while being trached. I've gotten up in front of our whole
church to do a reading. Unless I have a respiratory infection ... which is
seldom now that I am trached ... I, too, only have to suction once or
sometimes twice a day. I don't even know that I have my trach in ... it is
very comfortable. Instead of impairing or reducing my activities, having a
trach has allowed me to be much more active and healthy than I'd been in years
before I elected to have it. Just like Blane indicated ... I'm extremely
grateful for my trach! To use an old worn-out cliche: It's the best thing
since sliced bread, in my opinion!!
Carol Meyer
Massachusetts