That what all of the nurses say I have. A Healthy Fear.
They tell me that they're glad I'm nervous because they'd be worried if I acted like all of this is no big deal.
I don't see it as a healthy fear.
I'm TERRIFIED!
The realization that I will very soon--not really very soon, but very soon in comparison to a lifetime--be the primary caregiver for a vent-dependendent child with a tracheostomy and a gastrostomy tube hit me really hard this weekend.
Don't get me wrong. Matt has been wonderful. He has done a great job of learning everything and practicing whenever he is here. I know he'll be wonderful with Abby's care when he is home.
But we all know that his job takes him away a lot, and that leaves me.
As the primary caregiver.
For a vent-dependent child.
With a tracheostomy and a gastrostomy tube.
Oh and not to mention being the mother of a spunky nearly four-year-old little boy!!
Like I said, terrifying.
Yes, I know most of the above statements weren't complete sentences. I did it that way on purpose. Call it a writer's prerogitive.
Tonight we had trach and g-tube training. We have already been checked off for g-tube care, but we needed to learn how to actually put it in (it's changed every 3 months). That wasn't too bad. The trach changes are another story! We're fine with the trach tie changes, but putting the new trach in is very scary. Let's just say I cried with fear. Nope, we never even touched Abby! It was all done on a baby doll and I cried. That's how scared I am about all of this! Healthy fear.
What scares me the most is that I am directly in charge of maintaining Abby's airway. If I mess up, she could die. It's as simple as that. This is why I didn't become a doctor or a nurse.Well, that and the fact that science and I don't mix.
However, I keep reminding myself of another time I was pretty nervous. Back in college when I worked at a camp, I thought I might like to learn how to drive the boats. One day of boater's training and getting the tomato-in-the-blender demonstration for what will happen if you don't watch the propeller was enough for me to say, nope! Nevvvvvver mind!! The director pulled me aside and convinced me to stick with it because the most cautious drivers are the best drivers. Many, many trips out onto the river without kids later, I finally felt like I could do this....and I loved it! That summer of [cautiously] driving kids around on the double banana boat and double tubes was awesome!
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to describe changing a trach as awesome, but I'm hoping that I will at least reach a level of comfort where I can do it without crying!
They tell me that they're glad I'm nervous because they'd be worried if I acted like all of this is no big deal.
I don't see it as a healthy fear.
I'm TERRIFIED!
The realization that I will very soon--not really very soon, but very soon in comparison to a lifetime--be the primary caregiver for a vent-dependendent child with a tracheostomy and a gastrostomy tube hit me really hard this weekend.
Don't get me wrong. Matt has been wonderful. He has done a great job of learning everything and practicing whenever he is here. I know he'll be wonderful with Abby's care when he is home.
But we all know that his job takes him away a lot, and that leaves me.
As the primary caregiver.
For a vent-dependent child.
With a tracheostomy and a gastrostomy tube.
Oh and not to mention being the mother of a spunky nearly four-year-old little boy!!
Like I said, terrifying.
Yes, I know most of the above statements weren't complete sentences. I did it that way on purpose. Call it a writer's prerogitive.
Tonight we had trach and g-tube training. We have already been checked off for g-tube care, but we needed to learn how to actually put it in (it's changed every 3 months). That wasn't too bad. The trach changes are another story! We're fine with the trach tie changes, but putting the new trach in is very scary. Let's just say I cried with fear. Nope, we never even touched Abby! It was all done on a baby doll and I cried. That's how scared I am about all of this! Healthy fear.
What scares me the most is that I am directly in charge of maintaining Abby's airway. If I mess up, she could die. It's as simple as that. This is why I didn't become a doctor or a nurse.
However, I keep reminding myself of another time I was pretty nervous. Back in college when I worked at a camp, I thought I might like to learn how to drive the boats. One day of boater's training and getting the tomato-in-the-blender demonstration for what will happen if you don't watch the propeller was enough for me to say, nope! Nevvvvvver mind!! The director pulled me aside and convinced me to stick with it because the most cautious drivers are the best drivers. Many, many trips out onto the river without kids later, I finally felt like I could do this....and I loved it! That summer of [cautiously] driving kids around on the double banana boat and double tubes was awesome!
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to describe changing a trach as awesome, but I'm hoping that I will at least reach a level of comfort where I can do it without crying!
Comments
Of course you are entitled to a meltdown here and there. I bet they happen less often as you hone your skills. Big Hugs, and Prayers to the 4 of you.
I know how scary it is to have that type of responsibility. But Mary's 13 now and still going strong! It actually becomes your "norm" fairly quickly and just all becomes routine. The trach changes have always been pretty easy with no real issues. I feel like everyone made a bigger deal out of them than they really are. I'm actual still more nervous about doing a g-tube change than a trach change - the g-tube is harder to insert than the trach. At this point, I have changed Mary's trach in bed, her wheelchair, in the car, even at the store. You learn to travel with everything you need. We have the exact same type of vent (I saw it in the pictures) and it's really portable.
As her mom, you will know what Abby needs. Trust your gut and don't be afraid to disagree with doctors or other professionals. You will know Abby and her care and her needs better than they ever could. Even non-verbal, she will learn to communicate with you and you'll be able to figure out what she needs.
Use as many resources as you can find, don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I recommend a parent support group - I never wanted to go to them, but once I finally did, I thought it helped tremendously.
You will be able to handle it all, simply because you love Abby enough to want to. Have faith in yourself.