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Living with a Stoma
Learning to live with
the changes brought about by cancer of the larynx is a special challenge. The medical team will make every effort to
help you return to your normal routine as soon as possible.
If you have a stoma,
you will need to learn how to care for it:
Before leaving the hospital, you will learn to
remove and clean the trach tube, suction the trach, and care for the skin
around the stoma.
If the air is too dry, as it may be in heated buildings in the winter, the
tissues of the windpipe and lungs may produce extra mucus. Also, the skin
around the stoma may get sore. Keeping the skin around the stoma clean and
using a humidifier at home or
at the office can lessen these problems.
It is very dangerous for water to get into the windpipe and lungs through the
stoma. Wearing a special plastic stoma shield or holding a washcloth over the
stoma keeps water out when showering or shaving. Other types of stoma
covers—such as scarves, neckties, and specially made covers—help
keep moisture in and around the stoma. They help filter smoke and dust from the
air before it enters the stoma. They also catch any fluids that come out of the
windpipe when you cough or sneeze. Many people choose to wear something over
their stoma even after the area heals. Stoma covers can be attractive as well
as useful.
When shaving, men should keep in mind that the neck may be numb for several
months after surgery. To avoid nicks and cuts, it may be best to use an
electric shaver until the numbness goes away.
People with
stomas work in almost every type of business and can do nearly all of the
things they did before. However, they
cannot hold their breath, so straining and heavy lifting may be difficult. Also, swimming and water skiing are not
possible without special instruction and equipment to keep water from entering
the stoma.
Some people may feel
self-conscious about the way they look and speak. They may be concerned about how other people feel about
them. They may be concerned about how
their sexual relationships may be affected.
Many people find that talking about these concerns helps them. Counseling or support groups may also be
helpful. |
