my mom had her thyroid removed and due to complications, was given a tracheotomy. The care is overwhelming. I don't know how she can live independently again. Does anyone have any suggestions?
my mom had her thyroid removed and due to complications, was given a tracheotomy. The care is overwhelming. I don't know how she can live independently again. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Cynthia,
I've cared for people who have been admitted for a thyroidectomy and have needed a trach. Nursing staff began working with them on the care of their new airway almost immediately, and they also had follow-up at home for several weeks (home health nurses). Ask the nursing staff if they have any printed information (my hospital subscribes to a program called Krames on Demand that has information on many different diagnosis) they can give both you and your mom.
It is a lot of information to take in all at once. Keep a notebook nearby where you can jot down questions to ask the doctors and nurses when they come in (remember to leave space to put in the answers).
Speech therapy can help, also. There is a valve (Passey-Muir valve) that can be placed over the trach so your mom will be able to communicate. Speech therapy will help her learn how to use it.
Teri
Teri -- thank you for your quick reply. What a coincidence but I work for the same parent company as Krames.
The nurses started my mom (82) the very next day using a Passey-Muir valve and teach her and us how to care for the trach. My neice also just graduated Seton-Hall with master's in speech therapy.
My concern is can she & we really do her care and be comfortable with her being alone? She lives with my dad (87) who is very hard of hearing, not real alert, and not manually dexterious due to arthritis. She also suffers with arthritis, tremors, and bladder cancer. My sister and I and my niece all live near by but work. It is just so overwhelming. My dad had a partial thyroidectomy 30 years ago so we weren't expecting this complication. Last week she was living fairly independently, and now we're thinking she'll need a nursing home.
The initial thyroid biopsy indicates thyroid cancer, pappillary. We're waiting for the full biopsy.
The doctor said the trach may be temporary but I'm getting the feeling it could be in for months, if not permanent. He's mentioned that in other cases external beam radiation is used which futher narrows and scars the trachea and increases the need for a trach.
I am going to start researching rehab facitlies, nursing homes, assisted living, and home health agencies. If anyone has recommendations in the Philadelphia / Princeton area, please send my way.
Thank you again.
Add to the discussion