My Equipment

My Breathing Equipment

(from left to right) My O2 tank helps me get enough oxygen to my body during emergencies or when I'm sick. Next is my ventilator, called an LTV. It helps to keep my lungs big and strong. I have a tracheotomy, a small hole into my airway so that I can breathe. The trach is attached to the ventilator. Beside my ventilator is my humidifier, which keeps the air nice and warm so I don't get too dry.

My Cough Assist Machine & My VEST:

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. Next to that is my VEST. It is a machine that helps break up the gunk in my lungs which makes it easier for me to breathe. There is a fabric vest that goes around my chest and it shakes my chest gently.

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 or finger and it doesn't hurt at all.

My Nebulizer Machine:

The nebulizer helps me get medicine into my lungs which makes it easier for me to breathe.

My Suction Machine:

When I use my Cough Assist, my suction machine sucks the yuckies out of my trach. It also helps me get the boogers out of my nose and mouth, since I can't blow my nose or spit out yuckies from my mouth.

My Feeding Pump:

Because of my 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.

My Adapted Stroller:

It is a great stroller and even has places for all of my machines. It has DEFINITELY made our traveling to  doctors' appointments and adventures out in the world easier.