Hubby had quadruple bypass 1st Feb 2024. Didn't wake up until 14th Feb after they fitted a cuffed tracheostomy. Came round properly on 16th Feb. Was successfully weaning off but Dr decided after just 5 hours to remove it and after a couple more hours he crashed. This was on a Friday so sedated him and intubated him again all weekend. This caused more damage. He moved to a hospital nearer to home, they're doing everything they can. Now they've decided to try to get the cuff coming down for short periods again. So far he's only been managing 30 seconds. He obviously can't eat, drink or talk. His swallow is very weak, not surprised as he hasn't eaten since 31st Jan. There is talk of him coming home when he has an uncuffed tracheostomy and still feeding through his RIG. My question is has anyone experience of coming home with a CUFFED tracheostomy as if he can't tolerate cuff down after 8-10 weeks, he'll have this for a very long time. Our hospital isn't sure they would do this, although other hospitals do it. He would just need a small amount extra of equipment to come home with, and would need a bit of extra training and support. They won't want to keep him in hospital and we are adamant he is NOT going in a nursing home, apart from the money he is otherwise going to be fit to be home. So any advice or experience of being at home with a CUFFED tracheostomy is welcome please. They're going to have a meeting with us, drs salt etc to decide on a time frame to work on this as it can't go on indefinitely obviously. After they'd gone hubby wrote down 2 months. This is in UK, so advice for that if possible. Thank you
Advice about CUFFED tracheostomy at home - British Heart Fou...
Advice about CUFFED tracheostomy at home
Have you talked with your GP, surgery nurse practitioner and or what used to be the district nurse? Hope I’m not stating the obvious, but these are the people you will be dealing with once Ralph is home - Stay strong & positive x
Not yet, because it will be at least August/September. I have appointment on 4th June so will ask then
Best wishes Castleview. I hope you are OK and that there is someone on here who has the experience you need. Steve
I hope you find the expertise you need Sue, to bring Ralph home with the tracheotomy. ❤️
Not sure if you can read this Sue. Just wishing you and Ralph all the love in the world. We're all praying for miracles. PM me if you're able. A lot of supporting member on Health Unlocked are wanting to PM you.
Lots of love and hugs. Jan xxxx
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