KY—Where is that located?

When I first received my tracheotomy, I was introduced to a whole new world of medical supplies. When a new tracheotomy tube, which needs to be replaced every three months, was delivered by my durable medical equipment (DME) company, I felt confident I could do the simple procedure. First, you need to deflate the cuff on the tracheotomy tube located in my trachea. Next, you have to undo the Velcro which secures the tracheotomy tube around my neck. Then, you gently pull out the tracheotomy tube.

I was good with all of this. However, to insert a new tracheotomy tube, you need some sort of lubricant to allow the tracheotomy tube to slide down into place. Without using any lubricant, the tube tends to get stuck and will cause trauma to the tracheotomy site.

As I looked through the supplies I was given by my DME company, I did not have any sort of lubricant. I thought long and hard what I could use. I searched online and found out you could use KY Jelly. I though to myself, “Oh wonderful! I can pick that up at Walmart!” And off on my adventure I went.

When I arrived at Walmart, I thought the KY Jelly would be located in the feminine hygiene area. I searched and searched, but I could not find it. Furthermore, I was not exactly sure what the product would look like. Does it come in a small tube, a box or some other packaging? Aisle after aisle I looked, but I was unsuccessful. Then, like an answer to my prayer, there was an employee in one of the aisles. I approached the male associate and asked, “I am looking for KY Jelly. Where would that be located?”

The man’s face blanched and then embarrassment overcame the gentleman. He would not look at me, but he proceeded to the pharmacy area. There, next to the condoms, was the KY Jelly. The man pointed to the product and then quickly scampered off; his face was bright red. I yelled out to the fleeing employee, “Thank you so much sir for your kindness!”  I also told myself, “Ah, yes. This would be a logical place for KY Jelly. I am glad the Walmart employee knew where this was. I would have never found it by myself.”

I next proceeded to the checkout area. A woman scanned my one item. I informed her I did not need a bag. Everyone in the checkout area was looking at me. I told the cashier, “I am so glad y’all have KY Jelly. What a lifesaver. I don’t know what I would have done if y’all didn’t have this product. I can’t wait to get home and use it!” There was stunned silence in the checkout. I exited the store.

Upon reaching home, I set up everything to do a tracheotomy tube exchange. I open the box with the KY Jelly. To my delight it is an easy to squeeze container. I carefully put the lubricant on the end of my new tracheotomy tube. I quickly pop out my old tracheotomy tube from my trachea. And with little effort, the KY Jelly allows the new tracheotomy tube to slide into place. I smile and then start laughing as I think about everyone I saw at Walmart. They probably had no idea KY Jelly was a multipurpose item.