Mike maintains a website devoted to his journey with sleep apnea and his resulting tracheostomy.A rewarding job, his church, the love of his wife and his great sense of humor are what fill Mike Chollett’s days with joy. It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago Mike could hardly stay awake during the day because of severe obstructive sleep apnea. Mike admits that having a tracheostomy is not a walk in the park and advises first exhausting other treatment options.But to Mike the challenges of a tracheostomy have been worth it. “Yes, I had some difficult experiences but I would never give up my tracheostomy. I sleep like a baby and am alert and awake at work and throughout the day.” Mike keeps his tracheostomy tube capped during the day and breathes through his nose and mouth. At night when sleeping, Mike suffers from obstructive breathing and needs to uncap his tracheostomy tube. |
A tracheostomy may not be something anyone wishes for, but when used properly it can not only be life-saving, but in cases like Mike’s, life enhancing as well. “I am sooooo happy I got the trach and would never go back to living without it.” |
Mike admits there are things about the tracheostomy that are hard to get used to. One example is the attention his tracheostomy draws from the general public. For the most part this doesn’t bother Mike, but he prefers “if people are honest with their curiosity and ask.” Mike also credits his wife’s love and devotion with helping him make it through a very difficult time. “One of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep deprivation is depression, and I would not have made it past that alone.”
Mike is a trained computer programmer. Before he got his tracheostomy, he lost several jobs due to an inability to concentrate stemming from sleep deprivation. Now he works as a Program Assistant at an intergenerational center that caters to both children and adults needing care during the day. It’s a job he finds very rewarding. “I have learned over the years that I am most happy and fulfilled when I am helping people. At the intergenerational center, I work directly with a great bunch of senior citizens. I give them a little help with daily needs; the rest of the time is an interaction of friendship and love.”
Mike also serves as an elder in his church. One duty he particularly enjoys is teaching adolescents attending Sabbath school. His church involvement has reawakened his dream of becoming a pastor. He is presently finishing a theology degree he began in the early 1980’s.
In addition to his work and church activities, Mike maintains a website devoted to his journey with sleep apnea and his resulting tracheostomy.
“I am very happy I started this website,” states Mike. “I am so thankful that there were good people out there who helped me when I was considering getting my tracheostomy, and I am happy I can help those who are now in the place I was.” Besides being informative, Mike’s website reflects his sense of humor. Using such creations as a super hero Mike calls “Trach Man”, he pokes fun at living with sleep apnea and a tracheostomy. “Humor is part of who I am. It is also a very important component of a happy life so I try to share it whenever possible,” Mike explains.
A tracheostomy may not be something anyone wishes for, but when used properly it can not only be life-saving, but in cases like Mike’s, life enhancing as well. “I am sooooo happy I got the trach and would never go back to living without it.”