[tri-med] Re: Pneumonia

My son Mitchell has had a trach since he was 5 months old-he is now 2 1/2
years. Our reasoning was because his airway was "floppy" and underdeveloped.
At that time we knew that if he would get a respiratory illness it could be
deadly because he wouldn't be able to cough out the germs/secretions in his
lungs. For us it was the best decision we made. He does get infections from
time to time and you have to be careful because as I say-the trach is a
port-hole to his lungs, so it is very easy to get illness causing germs in
there. I guess I feel that illness wise-I feel he is safer having the trach
because we can easily suction him if he has a lot of junk down there--if he
didn't have it this would be hard to do and it would be hard for him to
cough it up because of the weak airway--and maybe this is what your doctors
are thinking. 
A trach is very scary to begin with and it does change your life
dramatically. I personally felt that it was worth it.

There is a terrific website about trachs and it also has a trach message
board on there. If you post your concern--you will typically get many
responces. These parents on the trach board are very knowledgeable and VERY
supportive-I couldn't have made it without them. It is very similar to the
group here....but they are trach and airway specialists. I know that Randall
from the boards here has now started posting and I'm there quite a bit.

Good luck with your decision. If you have any questions-please feel free to
email me. You can also let me know-I can send you my number as well.

Take care
Katie Cragg
Mom to Mitchell t13mosaic
Www.caringbridge.org/mn/mitchelljohncragg



On 5/17/07 10:03 AM, "Moe Taha" <taham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I need some help in making a decision regarding Nejoud's condition. Your help
> and past experiance is really appriciated and will help me a great deal. Her
> it
> goes:
> 
> Nejoud has been in the Hospital for the last 10-days. She developed pneumonia
> once again. This time she did not respond to the antibiotic treatment
> (3-types)for the last 7-days. They did a Broncoscopy this morning and
> discovered that her vocal cords are not normal (not functioning properly) and
> also her airway muscle to be weak. They will do a lung and airway CT Scan
> today
> to get a better picture.
> 
> The doctors are telling me that she may need to have a Tracheostomy to help
> with
> her breating and reduce the re occurance of pneumonia.  They added that this
> procedure may cause more infections in the future. So it seems like you
> replace
> a problem with another.
> 
> Did anyone have any similar situation? Any kid with this procedure done and
> what
> are the results? Please feel free to express your thoughts on the subject.
> Thank
> you very much.
> --
> moe (dad), Rana (mom), Hamzeh (big brother) and Sweet Nejoud (T-18, Born
> 4/4/2006)
> 
> 
> 
> 
>                   Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
>                        www.trisomyonline.org
>                   Families Helping Families On-line
> 


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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