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MelEssary Asked January 2018

My mom has pneumonia. They're putting in a trach. Will this help them heal faster?

Her lungs are still not where they want them to be.

Shane1124 Jan 2018
Trachs  can be permanent or temporary. If she isn’t breathing deep enough she isn’t getting enough oxygen. I am thinking she is too fatigued or ill to properly deep breath on her own & that’s why they are inserting it.
And yes, talk to her doctors. Will she be on a ventilator now with the trach? If so the the poor girl is probably exhausted, not getting enough oxygen to her organs and needs the respiratory support.
Trachs can be managed at home as well down the road if she is discharged with it.

BarbBrooklyn Jan 2018
Ask if they can use a BiPap machine instead of a trach. Does your mom have a DNR and or a DNI?

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Veronica91 Jan 2018
MelEssery, How old is your mother?
Does she have a life limiting disease as well as the pneumonia?
Do you know what caused the pneumonia.
Putting in a trach is a very serious step. Is that what your mother wants and understands
As CM said ask some questions and don't agree till you fully understand Mom's plan of care and how this will help her.

Countrymouse Jan 2018
You really must put this kind of question to your mother's doctors. Ask them: "please could you explain how this works?"

Is your mother in ICU/ITU? It can be a bewildering and frightening environment; and the staff there are, obviously, very focused on their work. In that case, ask either at the nurses' station or at the hospital's main enquiries desk who would be the best person to help you understand what is happening.

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