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My Equipment |
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My Pulse Oximeter Machine: The oximeter or pulse ox machine measures the amount of oxygen in my in my blood and my heart rate. It is a little piece of tape that goes around my toe and it doesn't hurt at all. |
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My Ventilator and Trach: In July of 2011 my family decided it was in my best interest to have a tracheotomy procedure done. Now I have a small hole into my airway so that I can breathe. The trach is attached to a ventilator, currently an LTV, that pushes air into my lungs. I'm very comfortable using the trach and vent and have been very smiley since we had it done. |
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My Cough Assist Machine: My Cough Assist helps me cough all the yucky stuff out of my lungs. It has a small mask that covers my nose and mouth. It pushes a certain amount of air into my lungs and then quickly sucks the same amount of air out. It simulates a cough because my muscles are too weak to do this on their own. |
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My Suction Machine: When I use my Cough Assist, my suction machine sucks the yuckies out of my mouth. It also helps me get the boogers out of my nose, since I can't blow my nose. |
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Postural Drainage: It allows me to lay with my head tilted down for chest percussion and nebulizer treatments – helping with drainage and get the junk out of my chest. |
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My Feeding Tube & Feeding Pump: Because of weak muscles I can't swallow properly without some of the liquid or food going into my lungs. I have a small tube going into my stomach that is hooked up to my feeding pump throughout the day. I get all my nutrition through this tube. |
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