My baby is about to be Trached

While Nathan didn't have a ventilator, I had the same concerns with his trach. His secretions get thicker sometimes and are looser other times. When they are think we have sterile saline we can put into his trach to loosen things up. We only use a few drops, but it does help. He has never had a mucous plug, but I am always worried about one.

The doctors will probably have you change the trach before you leave the hospital. It can be scary the first time you do it, I was shaking like a leaf, but it's pretty easy - the trach goes in and out like an earing. However, it probably will be a little different for you with a ventilator.

The one thing that happened to us was that Nathan got upset and pulled his trach out, he was trying to just take his bib off, while we were in the car on our way on vacation. It was awful but it's one of those things you just know what to do.

The doctors won't let you take him home until you are ready to, make sure you are honest with the doctors about all your questions. They are there to help you learn how to take care of your son and give yourself some time to feel comfortable with it.

Hopefully this was helpful for you. I'm sure Leigh can be more helpful for you with the vent stuff, but hopefully I can help a little.
Laura

Yes that was very helpful. It is comforting to know there are others going through some of the same things and are coping well. Thank you so much. Thinking of it as an earring change should make it easier when we have to change out his Trach.