Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

[Midlodemocrat]

I have to 'run' a birthday party for my friend Lori's 12 yo son. He's in a wheelchair and he invited every kid from his special ed class. One of the kids has a trach tube. Just found out that the dad isn't going to be there, so guess who is the designated trach tube accident person? Yup. Moi.

T-minus one hour until I want to drown myself. And not in wine, either. :banghead:

[Fleshdancer]

1. out of curiosity...

why do you have to 'run' a birthday part for someone else's kid? I can understand helping, but it sounds like you're actually throwing it.

My daughter has a kid in her class with a trach tube and the school nurse is his go to person during school hours. Perhaps you could call the school's nurse or your pediatrician for tips and advice? Better yet, get a hold of this dad who can't be at the party to see what you need to know. My bet is that everything will be just fine.

:hug:

PS - don't drown yourself. you don't want people to find you all bloated and with raisin fingers. ;)

[Midlodemocrat]

3. My friend Lori's eldest fell from a tree this week

and had to have surgery on his leg. Shattered it to bits. Well, her little one, in the wheelchair has tremendous OCD and couldn't be persuaded to postpone the party until Mom could actually do it without having to check on the older one all the time.

So, my other friend and I, who volunteer in special ed every week got picked. And, here I thought that once PostProm and the Middle School dances were over, I was finished for the year.

I love these little kids, but you have to be 'on your game' the whole time and it's tiring. Plus, it's a sleepover, so Lord only knows when I'll get home.

I do know how to clean the trach, I am just hoping it's not necessary.

My friend Dana who is doing this with me says she'll help by dialing 9-1-1. :rofl:

[Fleshdancer]

9. Damn....

Poor Lori must be stressed to the max at this point. It's very sweet of you to help out.

On the bright side, you're gonna rack up the karma points. :D

[cordelia]

12. Everyone should have a friend as kind and giving as you. n/t

[Chan790]

2. Are you trained to be the trachea-tube accident person?

I can't well imagine any sort of trachea-tube accident (clogging, tube collapse, fluid aspiration, accidental removal) which wouldn't require medical attention and possibly rescue-breathing if the kid isn't capable of breathing on their own. That's really lame (and dangerous for the child) for the parents to saddle you with that responsibility and not make sure somebody present was trained to deal with that situation.

[Midlodemocrat]

4. Unfortunately for me. Yes.

It's been years, but I still remember how to do it. I'm just hoping I won't have to.

It's not that I mind doing it, really, because I think a lot of parents of special needs kids need some time off, it's just that I wasn't planning on spending my Saturday night this way, and in all honesty, I'm kind of tired going into it.

Sorry for the whine.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. hey, that is a pressure responsiblity...

Have some cheese to go with the wine :D

[Midlodemocrat]

8. LOL. There had BETTER be alcohol there.

But, doubtful. Too many kids who could get into serious trouble. My friend lives on the lake. Two power wheelchairs + the lake = me in jail.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

11. Yes, those parents do deserve a break

BUT, not at your expense.

I'll paint the worst-case scenario for you here, and give you something to think about.

God forbid a million and one times it doesn't happen, but, if the child has a problem with his tube, and you try to help him, and something goes wrong, you are the person to whom the liability is going to attach. You will be the one of the people they could sue, if they were so moved. And I doubt if your homeowners' insurance covers this.

I think it's grossly irresponsible of the father to drop the kid off and leave. Not good at all.

[Blue Diadem]

5. Have fun!

I bet everyone will have a good time and you'll be exhausted.

Maybe tomorrow you can drown yourself in that wine, although if you're like me, when you're exhausted it doesn't take much wine to do that.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. I'm planning to do that as soon as I walk in the door.

Gah. It's going to storm too. Do you think 11yo children are too young to watch Cloverfield? I'm leaning towards no.

[mokawanis]

10. Having done a considerabe amount of trach care

I wish you luck and hope it goes well! lol Just keep telling yourself - "this too shall pass".

[Blue Diadem]

14. nightmares and slumber parties..

I had to google Cloverfield, hadn't heard of that movie. After reading about it, well..ewwwwwww. Bleeding eyes and exploding bodies..ewwwww. That should be good for a nightmare or two.

We'll look forward to you filling us in tomorrow on how everything went.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

13. I'm going to heed the advice you gave in the subject line.

About the party, relax, it's just a couple of hours and it'll be over.