Dr. B., a 67 year old retired anesthesiologist and a patient of mine for many years, presented with shortness of breath and a smothering sensation.
He was found, after an extensive evaluation, to have an inoperable hemangioma that encircled and partially occluded his trachea.
He had a tracheotomy performed and has a trach tube in place to keep (stent) the airway open. There are no other surgical or treatment options. He will need to keep it in for the rest of his life.
He spent a good deal of his adult life intubating patients for operative procedures.
The irony is not lost on him.
He was able to tell me such by writing on the eraser board that he now carries with him everywhere.
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