Pros
1. No more checking placement of the tube to make sure it's in the right spot. Yeah!
2. No more trying to put in a new tube down the nose, because it doesn't go in her nose and she can't pull it out. Hip Hip Hoorah!
3. No more taping up her little cheeks and making them all sore! Awesome!
Cons
1. She doesn't like to be on her stomach right now. Bummer!
2. The tube they placed has no clamp so you have to clamp it off with your fingers and pray for the best! With that I mean pray that nothing squirts out at you. Get the picture, not a pretty one.
3. The plugs on the ends of the ports do not always stay closed especially when you tuck it up in her shirt or if she is very active. Result: More stomach contents all over her clothes! NASTY!
4. No bathing for 3 weeks, only sponging!
5. No swimming pools for 3 weeks, oh and when you finally do make sure that you have those plugs covered really good with tape that's waterproof so they don't open up. I think you can figure out the result if that happens.
6. Last, depending on your GI doctor depends on when you get the tube removed and graduate to the mickey button. Our GI doc says not for 12 weeks! Let's see...she had the surgery on June 1, 2009...you do the math. That puts us at September, the whole summer will be gone. It's not fair!
Am I venting, YES! Am I a little upset, YES! Is it really that bad, probably not, and I will have to learn to live with it. I'm sure it will get easier as time goes on. Done venting for now. Have a good day!
7 comments:
If you want I have a clamp that we could put on the tube, and I'm sure the stiches will not stay in place for 12 weeks! When you finally have the mickey or mini you will love it! Hope everything else is well!
12 weeks, sheesh, thats crazy. You will really love the button I promise. I don't know why he's making you wait that long. I know some docs who just put a button in.That does stink
Sounds like a pain! Usually when you get used to something it doesn't seem quite as bad. Have a great weekend!
It will get better I will be praying for you and L. Glad everything went well
Hmmm, wonder why you don't have a clamp and why it keeps popping open. Stinks that you will have to wait for the mickey button but you will love it! Hope her belly feels better soon.
Kim - I'm a newbie to your blog (found you through Cathy, Lily's mom). My Micah has been through a few feeding tubes (MIC-Key G-tube, then foley GJ-tube, now MIC-Key GJ). Honestly, I think your daughter's surgeon forgot to put the clamp on before they placed the tube. I don't think you can put a clamp on after it's in. But... the bad news is, you might end up needing to have the tube replaced before getting the button anyway. Did they give you a spare feeding tube?
We've dealt with G-tube or GJ-tube for 15 months now, and I'd be happy to share some of our hard-earned lessons. Drop me an email: teamdickens at yahoo dot com.
I've enjoyed catching up on your darling little girl. May God continue to bless your family.
ok, so I started my job & quite a few of my kids had G-tubes and graduated to the mickey buttons. I've been asking questions and they all seem to agree it gets easier. it's all a learning process and you'll get it. She eventually not even notice it and be all over her tummy again. You're in my prayers though.
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