Have you ever wondered what a trach looks like? Before Emylie got her trach, I really didn't have a clue. So here you go.... this is one of Emylie's trachs. The piece on the left is the trach. The piece on the right is the opterator which is inserted in the trach to make it less flexible while placing the trach inside Emylie's trachea. The opterator is quickly taken out after placement. The trach is routinely changed weekly and more as needed or required.
What is a ventilator (vent)? The gray rectangle at the top of the picture is the ventilator. It is about the size of a laptop but thicker and weighs more. This machine assists Emylie's breathing and also gives her a set amount of breaths per minute. The blue and white tubing attaches to the vent and the humidifier and the other side of the tubing attaches onto the trach. One oxygen tank is hooked up to the ventilator to add oxygen as needed. The second oxygen tank is hooked up to an Ambu bag and ready to go if emergency support is needed.
Suction Machine - the suction machine does what it says.... suctions! This goes everywhere Emylie goes. We actually have two machines, one that is the "home" suction machine that is not really movable and then the portable suction machine. Emylie needs help getting secretions out of her lungs. "Stuff" we have in our lungs or trachea that we clear and swallow - we suction out of Emylie's trach. If there is a "plug" in her trach we suction it out. Okay for some that might be to much information, so I will stop there.
Because Emylie lost her swallow reflex among other issues with her vocal cords and lack of sensation in her throat she gets all her nutrition through a feeding tube. The little circle you see up from her belly button is a feeding tube which goes right into the stomach. She has a high risk for aspirating and gets nothing by mouth. I have to say, one very convenient thing about a feeding tube is when medications are needed you don't have to worry about the taste or about her fighting taking the medicine. You simply put it in through the tube and your done. :)
Above the vent on an IV pole hangs the feeding pump and the sterile water for the humidifier. The purple and clear bag is where we put Emylie's formula. It runs through the tubing into the feeding tube and into her tummy. The sterile water fills the water chamber with water to humidify the air Emylie breaths.
Equipment...Equipment...Equipment
Grandma's living room has turned into an equipment storage room ~ sorry!!
Power Wheelchair ~ Medical Stroller ~ Walker ~ Stander ~ Star Cart ~ Oxygen Tanks
