Mom on trach, now weaning

[Kittycardigan]

After a lot of talking with the doctors, and my mom being able to be out of sedation she chose the tracheostomy herself. And instead of immediately shipping her to an LTACH, the plan now is to wean her off of the ventilator. She was breathing on the CPAP setting, pressure 8, oxygen at 35% down from yesterday which was 40%. She was able to tolerate that for about 6 hours but then she looked pretty exhausted and they switched the CPAP mode off. Yesterday she seemed to have no problem with mostly the exact same numbers except the oxygen, so I'm worried.

What was everyone's experience with weaning? I have to admit I'm so shaken from her experience in ICU that I seem to get anxious at every little potential setback. Some hopeful stories would be appreciated.

[Sepsur]

recovery remains precarious for many of us and unfortunately that uncertainty remains. I think this makes critical care such a hard journey for all involved.

I was told I was atypical - I should not have survived. I was a ‘miracle’ ‘the sickest person in the hospital’ which made me feel pretty unique ( and unworthy). Now, I am among so many who have proved the impossible is possible.

[Justlikeyou in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you so much for your story. I'm in a precarious position waiting on my father to heal and doctors and nurses insinuating it won't happen. They don't know God and they couldn't care less about the family members. The treatment the elderly get is horrible. I'm so glad you have a different story. You are unique and you are worthy. You are created in the image of god. He loves us and will do what's best for us. May God bless you.

[Lux95]

It really does vary greatly. I recovered once on a trach, but it took a couple of weeks. The challenge isn't just weaning off O2, but building enough strength to continue breathing on our own.

Like Sepsur and others here, I was told it was a miracle I survived. It was after the trach that I started improving. It does give the patient a path to improving lung and bodily strength. When sedated, we just continue to lose muscle mass and strength. Working on arm and hand strength, and at some point, standing, will help, but it is hard. I was so exhausted with every exercise, I dreaded them. But there is no other way.

It is great to hear she is on the trach now, and starting breathing trials. That is progress!

[Kittycardigan in reply to Lux95]

Oh the difference a couple of days makes. She seems to be doing well with breathing on the CPAP, they're keeping her on that to strengthen her up. She's on 30% oxygen, and only needs a pressure of 5 at the moment. So really minimal support. Her vitals are all looking good, she needs less pressers to keep her BP up. We're having a good day, and I hope it keeps trending in that direction! The doctor yesterday said she is really surprising them, and they hope to get her off of the ventilator soon. Her kidney function still remains to be seen, they said that's gonna take more time.

Thanks for you input, on means a lot. Someone on here said "where there is life, there is hope." And those words have helped me so much. Everyone here is so kind.