Monday, November 23, 2009

Oh the coughing

Jaxsons giving us the peace sign.

This coughing thing has started again. Its making me crazy. We had one good week of sleeping all night. Now this coughing is back. Since we're new to the trach thing, I don't know if this is common or not. I know he's not sick. No fever, no increase oxygen need and no increase in secretions. Just this dry, hacking cough. I decided against using the nurses at night because he was sleeping all night, but this coughing seems to be a frequent thing, and this momma needs her sleep. Now I don't know what to do about the nursing. I hate to get them at night and then the coughing stops and they just sit around. Ugh..
Also he still has this big piece of granulation tissue under his stoma. His ENT put silver nitrate on it but it didn't seem to take any of it away. And a new thing I noticed was when I change his trach out, I pause for a second to look at the stoma and make sure it looks ok. Well the last two times I did that his hole closed over when he took a breath, and he was gasping for air. The scary thing is he shouldn't be gasping for air, he should be able to breath through his nose and mouth if the hole is blocked. I don't know what this is about, but its pretty scary when I'm changing that trach out. I've got a call into Kris, the trach guru. She knows every kid in this entire valley that has a trach. And she knows everything there is to know about trachs. Hopefully she calls back soon!

13 comments:

Kristin said...

Good luck with the trach thing! P.S. Max is wearing those same jammies right now :)

Unknown said...

Poor little Jaxson. I sure hope his coughing subsides soon. Good luck with the trach issues. I hope someone can shed some light on this for you.

Stephanie said...

Hope you can get an answer about Jax's trach.Gasping for air! That's scary.
On a lighter note! All those cuties in one place! i didn't get a chance to comment on the party!!! Wow I wish we could have been there. maybe one year, ya never know!

The VW's said...

I hope that the trach guru will be able to help you guys out! That would be scary! And, no more coughing too! HUGS!!! Hang in there!

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Ah man, the night wakening is the worst! I am debating night nursing as well. It will be a waste when my girl sleeps all night, but a heaven send when she doesn't! What a dilemma, I don't know what to do.

I don't know anything about the trach issue. I wonder if he's just gotten used to breathing through his neck, so he forgets to breath the "normal" way when it's out?

ParkerMama said...

Chris is pure amazingness. She'll know. Tell her that Parker and Tammy say "hi!"

Colleen said...

Uggh, the coughing isn't fun. Is he on humidification at night? Sometimes we give the boy a neb treatment with just saline for extra humidification. Hope you can get some zzzz's!

Heather said...

Your still in new,uncharted territory Lacey.I am certain before long you will get to know normal VS not and then again,what exactly is normal,remind me?Thinking of you and hoping sleep comes easier again.Use those nurses if you have to ... you'll be better able to care for all the boys while rested.Love to all.

Emily said...

Oh dear... not fun. I sure hope his coughing stops soon so everyone can get their rest. I hope you find out all the info you need.

Angi said...

So sorry that you must worry a bit, hope she gets back to you soon...loved the pics from Jax's B-day!!!Take care, Angi

Kim Rees said...

Oh WOW! This would make me nervous too! You are definitely a trooper Lacey and if anyone can find an answer it will be you! Good luck with everything and as always I will keep you in my prayers.

Tina said...

Sorry to hear Jax isn't feeling too good, but I do hope it's not for long. I have a coughing child now for the last 4 nights and it's just the way you said it, coughs for a minute and then goes back to sleep but this continues whole night so you have to be alert and awake!!
I hope some light is shed on this thing with the trach, yes must be really scary seeing him gasp for air, just doesn't feel right.
I'd say use those nurses, even if the coughing stops but the thing is right now he's coughing and you need someone there.

Evie's Story said...

Ive been away from blogging for a while. Looks like you''ve been busy as always. Your get-together looks like a sweet gathering!