what is a trach?

Throughout the years with Tyler -- we've taken him with us everywhere. He's been camping in the woods -- to the beaches of Mexico -- on cross country road trips in our van and on a flight to visit friends in California.

Many times when we're out-and-about we'll have small kids approach us and start to talk to Tyler asking him "what's wrong with you?" or "why don't your legs work?" or "what's that thing in your neck?"

You gotta love the honesty of children.

The thing in his neck is a trach tube which is a small rubber/plastic tube which slides through a small opening in his neck. It rests gently inside his trachea to allow him to breathe easier.

When he was born so small and fragile in June of 1985 -- he was immediately placed on a ventilator which was connected to a tube running from his mouth into his lungs. It remained that way for three months.

September 12, 1985 is the day he had his second major surgery. The tiny opening in his neck was created so the tube could be taken out of his mouth.

The ventilator was easily attached directly to the trach on his neck and made it easier for Tyler.

The photo above is a picture of two different trachs. The smaller white trach is what Tyler had been using for nearly 10 years. The second is clear and larger in size and is what he uses for breathing now.

Although he isn't on ventilator support at home it is important for Tyler to maintain an airway in case of urgency. In addition, many of his asthma medications can be directly administered into his lungs using this opening.

In the case of extreme need -- it's a nice option to help him breathe.

Only a few times has Tyler had a bad seizure at home where he needed help breathing. For unknown reasons when he has a severe seizure -- he stops breathing. It's nice to know that I can use the ambu-bag connected to a tank of oxygen and breathe for him until the seizure stops. It usually takes less than five minutes then he comes out of it and sleeps it off.

You can see how the tube slips nicely into his lungs and is held in place with trach tie.