Today was the big day. I don’t know about J, but I tried really hard not to think about it much as I used to ignore exams in the old days.
We turned up at about 1.45 as we were due to do the change at 2.00 and Helen, the community nurse, was already there getting things ready. Massimo needed a quick suction before we got going and as I moved him so that I could get to his trachy tube all hell broke loose! He started crying and crying and I really couldn’t settle him. He got himself so wound up that once he did sort out his problem (a rather large poo was on its way) it still took a while for him to calm down. A clean nappy and a little more clearing of wind later he just started looking around happily.
Helen was brilliant, very calming and helpful and she certainly helped me through it, and I think she helped J too, that is if the beads of sweat were any indication of his stress levels! A trachy tube change should always be done with two people, except of course in an emergency. Today J took the old tube out and I put the new one in. Massimo was a complete and utter star. He remained calm and settled throughout and the whole thing went off without a hitch. We now have to do it with J in the driving seat and me assisting him, but that will be next week either on Monday or Tuesday.
Tomorrow we are having our resuscitation training and once that is under our belt, along with the second trachy tube change we are all set for Massimo to come home. Helen will be organising for more equipment to arrive and we will ensure that by Thursday everything that we will need is here.
This time next week …. (hopefully!)