Meet Robbie, a keen explorer and bridge player who shares his insights on life post tracheostomy
Robbie was born with a complex congenital heart condition and underwent a heart transplant in 2020. In November 2020, he suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest, from which his wife resuscitated him. The cause of this was subglottic stenosis, and two days later he underwent a tracheotomy.
This is where Robbie’s tracheostomy journey began. His tracheostomy is permanent, and he has now had it for five years. Adapting to life after a tracheostomy is no small feat; it demands daily attention and meticulous care. Robbie recalls the first three to six months after insertion as “extremely tough - mentally and physically, you are adjusting to having a tracheostomy. But over time you do adjust, and it just becomes part of you and your life.
Looking back, what surprised me the most is how adaptable we are as humans. I couldn’t imagine life without a tracheostomy now; it becomes so much easier than you ever think it will.
Once Robbie established his daily care routine, the tracheostomy became a natural part of his everyday life, just like washing, shaving, or cleaning your teeth. He is able to continue enjoying life and his hobbies. Robbie maintains a keen interest in travel, horse racing, and bridge, and he also undertakes a voluntary role in the NHS, representing heart and lung transplant patients.
During his tracheostomy journey, Robbie received support from the tracheostomy practitioners at his local hospital, which gave him confidence as a patient. His practitioners also introduced him to Atos Care in 2021. Atos Care provided an additional avenue of support, with an easy ordering system and very helpful, responsive customer teams. Robbie has found Atos Care “exceptional. I receive prescribed items from various hospitals and sources, and without any doubt, the service provided by Atos is the best.
I am most proud of the fact that I provide support to fellow patients, whether they are heart transplant or tracheostomy patients.
Robbie has recorded videos to continue sharing his support and insights. Please see the two videos below, covering his perspective on: 'What it’s like when you first come out of hospital' and 'Support from life after tracheostomy and Atos Care'.