Dear LC80~
Welcome back to the Forum.
I guess I ought to talk about the physical first. I am NOT a doctor so please treat my words with care. Tracheal collapse after your experiences is naturally something you may worry about. I can only say what I'd think of doing.
See if there is any medically supervised therapy to straighten that part of the body
I'd talk to the emergency section of the hospital or ambulance area and find the exact procedure to do in such an emergency , have any requisites always to hand together with a phone that has an emergency locator.(my older iPhone has one). then practice under supervision what to do what to do until qualified help arrives.
Please do not regard the above as competent medical advice -see your medical team and get their thoughts.
If the problem is not an emergency still seek medical aid and rely upon the diagnosis and treatment in the hospital
OK, whats is my very poor attempt to get you to seek the appropriate medical advice.
Now being in hospital for an extended time -articulately with periods of isolation is a bit like being in jail -no matter how nice the staff. You are isolated, you have no real say in what happens, and have to obey directions and routines you may not be comfortable with. All this together with the worry about your condition improving and the discomfort of the treatment.
Isolation due ot being infectious is a particularity way to be, it leads one to think one is not acceptable to society. Your brain knows this is not the case, your emotions may not.
As you have to go back to hospital periodically the whole thing is not really over yet
Anyone will be affected by this, and trying to get used ot the outside word and all the peple in it does not happen straight away, it may well be a series of steps over a long period.
You sound as if you are adapting excellently, you do go out and even conduct a radio show which involves speech. This is a cause for congratulation.
Those low energy days are, as you kn natural consequence and I'm sure you can make provisions and deal with them when they happens
I'm afraid your wife and the others you are with simply have to be given instruction that the matter is not over -for you or for them. Worrying if you are going to make it, and not being allowed near you will have taken a big toll. They may not realise this.
May I suggest you both need counceling, to put the mater into perspective and have a realistic idea of the toll taken. Understand what each has gone through.
I hope you are soon doing longer shifts and enjoying it. Please know you are always welcome here.
Croix
