Living on a Ventilator: One Family’s Journey - Addressing Respiratory Changes in ALS - Video 10

Jeremy VanTress shares his experience of choosing to have a tracheotomy, while his wife Courtney talks about the impact of the decision as a spouse and caregiver.

[@furbabiesarefamilytoo]

You are a very strong person and have a wonderful family who will be there for you in this journey. I wish you and your family all the best.

[@SB-uw3fe]

This is a great interview, bless this man and his family. It's a scary prospect and has it's challenges but trach/vent can really improve quality of life. ❤️

[@macclift9956]

So many people with ALS were super fit at some point - when it comes to cause, is there a connection, one has to wonder.

[@MamaAteistka]

Yes, they always are very healthy, and fit. I’m a nurse of an army veteran with very late stages of ALS, who was always in excellent shape.
For some reason ALS never attacks fat couch potatoes, always the athletic types of people.

[@ventilator98]

I also ama tracheostomy patient, and a ventilator user. I use an LTV ventilator, and a Trilogy ventilator. I'm in the process of trying to get a VOCSN, but my DME does not have those. I'm making a very awful racket to my DME trying to get them to order the VOCSN ventilators. I think I've irritated my Respiratory Therapist to a very severe extent, but I'm not stopping until I get a VOCSN ventilator.

[@anne-marienordin7636]

❤️

[@Michorium]

how do you speak with the trach?

[@noriwilliams4637]

eyes and pre recorded voice sensor

[@MJAngelLove]

He uses a computer

[@jeanalexander4101]

Eye gaze machine

[@championboxer4803]

Hi

[@Arkaworldd]

.

[@kngoepe4200]

Why is he on a trach but can use his hands and feet? What kind of Al's is this?

[@SB-uw3fe]

Als attacks different muscle groups at different rates. His diaphragm and chest/neck muscles are probably too weak for effective air exchange but luckily he has some movement in his limbs, though probably weak.