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Goldfish

A goldfish snatched from it's bowl, writhing and wriggling, silently gasping...


Apparently, I've been fortunate, with regard to my ALS. I've had a Hellish four years of decline, but at least I have been able to breathe on my own. Lately, upon awakening, I found myself gasping and browning-out. So short of breath that I was even more quiet, unable to muster an effective inhale; nor could I properly enunciate the words Bipap and  I cannot breathe.

Another crisis to save my own skin. I squeak out "Air".  My caregivers move to check my hair. This is one fine time to not have my speech device in my face. (Only one of many times in the course of the day that it's not possible to access the critical communication device.) Someone finally guesses my dilemma and arranges me so I can catch a partial breath.

I've been forced to use the bipap machine in order to grab a decent breath and exhale the carbon dioxide.
Good luck finding someone adept at bipap mask application, let alone understanding the operation of the infernal thing! Caregivers try to fit the mask over my face after pulling the straps over my head. This doesn't work. They also leave the hose attached then fight against it. And I cannot believe how often they muddle through getting me strapped in, then turn off the machine that just automatically started breathing for me.

The proper way to attach the bipap mask: 
  1. Disconnect hose from mask. 
  2. Hold mask over patients nose and mouth, getting feedback on placement. 
  3. Pull straps over head using a partner so the mask doesn't move. Clip. 
  4. Reconnect hose. 
  5. Allow machine to start on it's own. Checking with patient. 
  6. Ask patient if mask is leaking and find out where. Resolve. 
Removing bipap mask:
  1. DO NOT turn off machine.  
  2. Unclip mask. 
  3. Bring over head. 
  4. Allow machine to turn off automatically. 

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Location: 2720 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112, USA

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