Over the weekend, I notice my tracheotomy tube cuff is constantly losing air. I use my plastic syringe to inject the cuff with air only to have it deflate ten minutes later. It is absolutely essential to keep the cuff of the trach tube inflated as much as possible. When the cuff is inflated, the ventilator does 100% of the breathing for me. When the cuff is deflated, the ventilator does about 10-20% of the work. Thus, having a deflated trach tube cuff means I am using a tremendous amount of my energy trying to breathe and quickly fatigue.
On Monday, I call my DME company in a panic. I am extremely exhausted from having my trach cuff continually deflate. I tell the company representative I need a new trach tube ASAP! The company representative informs me it will be a few weeks to get a new trach tube. If I need something sooner, I should go to the emergency department. I am in disbelief at the advice. I have been to my local hospitals numerous times. They do not carry my trach tube size and do not carry my specific type of trach tube. If I want a new trach tube, I either have to get a tube that is too large for my tracheostomy or too small. Additionally, the trach tubes they carry are made from material which causes me to have an allergic reaction. Knowing the advice given by the company is worthless, I seek out the internet.
I enter the key information about my trach tube into Google. I am given a list of various company websites which carry my tracheostomy tube. The cheapest price I can find is on eBay. In desperation, I order a trach tube from eBay and pray it comes quickly. To my shock, the trach tube is delivered to my door the very next day! I eagerly open up the box, and there in my hand is my brand new trach tube! I quickly change out my trach tube and immediately inflate the cuff. Oh, how relief flows though my body as I allow the ventilator to do all the work associated with breathing.
Shortly thereafter, as I am talking to a respiratory therapist, the subject of my trach tube arose. He asks me if I had a spare trach tube. I reply that this is my only trach tube, and in fact, I was waiting for my DME company to send me a trach tube as this one I had to purchase in an emergency from eBay. The respiratory therapist immediately responds, “What!? You purchased your trach tube from eBay!? You can’t just purchase a trach tube on your own.” I say, “Yes. I bought this trach tube from eBay. eBay has EVERYTHING!” The respiratory therapist shakes his head in disbelief. I, however, am grateful to eBay and to the person selling my trach tube. They have been lifesavers.
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