some words of encouragement please peg tube tomorrow morning 6:30am.

to PEG or not to PEG
Hi Matt29,

Having the PEG installed was one of the easiest things I did on my adventure. The anesthesiologist talked to me and when I said I did not want to be put into a real deep sleep, he accommodated me wonderfully. I felt like I just closed my eyes and opened them again, and it was done. It sure makes eating a piece of cake. Anyway, it wept around the insertion point, you keep it clean; it’s like a funky new appendage.

You will do fine, good luck.

Best,

Matt

Laralyn said:

Agreed!
The PEG insertion was one of the easiest things of the whole process. They use a regular anesthesia, like valium, to put you in a very light sleep. I actually woke up during the procedure but all I remember is having something in my mouth, holding it open, and the doctor saying, "Give her more [something something]..." That's how easy it is--that waking up in the middle of it wasn't even a big deal.

The sedative wears off quickly, and you're on your way back to normal. The good news is that you'll get food and hydration after you have the tube. You'll feel so much better when you're getting enough food and water!

you will be so much better with the PEG
Matt
ditto what everyone above said. You will feel so much better once you can get some good quality nutrition and liquids in your system. You will be SO glad you have your tube. It was my friend for 18 months and I am glad I had it. Make sure you put extra water in whenever possible. Wishing you an easy procedure and you'll be well on your way to recovery.

Matt...the tube is no big deal....
You go to sleep, and wake up with it in place. I had some muscle spasms for a few days after, but have had no problem from it since. I see mine as my insurance policy when eating is tough or impossible...You'll be glad you got it.

p

Pam M said:

Breathe
Matt,

Dunno if I hope I'm not too late to wish you well, or hope I am too late, because you're able to sleep before "the procedure".

I despised and resented the feeding tube - - THEN it became my pal. I saw the tube as proof that I was ill, and didn't need the tube when I first got it. Different story once I began to rely on it. Like the others said, it makes such a difference to know that you have an aid to help get your calories and water in. You get used to it - I even went swimming a couple times with it. (OK - by swimming, I mean floating on the lovely blow up rafts and playing volleyball - but that's all I ever do in the water.)

Don't stress out Matt
I'm reading this board while doing a feed. I assure you, just like everybody else, there's nothing to it. You might be a tad bit sore fore a couple days but nothing you can't handle. I'm back on the tube because I can't swallow anything. Still trying to get the stricture to stay open so mine is an absolute necessity. Once you don't need it anymore, they'll just pull it out and you'll have two belly buttons. Take care and relax!

Missed yesterdays posts
Hey Matt29,
How'd it go ! With all the words of encouragement here it does help ease the mind. I wish I woulda found you guys before my rads....might of turned out way different for me. Matt let us know how you're doing ! Warmest regards, Katie

Tim6003 said:

Checking on you Matt
Missed your post ..but checking in on you Matt...how did it go?

Food is health.....so the tube is the best thing. I lost 70lbs during treatment and I had my peg in at the beginning!!

Whispered that prayer for you Matt..I know you are doing great...some pain right now no doubt and maybe some nausea ...but you will get past that in a few days.

Best,

Tim

Me too....checking in on you Matt
I figure by now, you're starting to feel a little better, and are looking at your new friend and wondering what the hell to do with him, now that he's here...where to tuck him, to tape him, roll him...put him in your pants....

One thing for sure, you will grow to appeciate him...

p

PEG soon, if you are going to do it at all
The PEG installation procedure is simple, easy, and relatively painless--except when it's none of those. I made the decision to hold off on my PEG until it was absolutely necessary, for all the of obvious reasons. But by the time I did go ahead with it, the exact location and size of my tumor made the intubation very tricky, and it took three times to get it done. The intubation is the tube they put down your throat as the surgery starts to let you breathe in case an obstruction happens during the procedure. On the first try as an in-office procedure, they thought it would be easy, but when they couldn't get the tube in, they aborted and then re-scheduled it for a full OR and surgical team. On the second try, the tumor had grown so large that they needed to call in other docs. So, the third time being the charm, they got it done with a lot of difficulty, and just before the whole thing would have escalated into a problem where I couldn't eat orally OR have a PEG installed without even more complications.

But once the PEG was in, it was no big deal and I learned to live with it for about 6 months. When it came out it left a very small scar that my wife calls my "belly button North." I show it off to anyone who asks to see it.

mike

Matt,
Just realized I missed
Matt,
Just realized I missed this post earlier and you already have the PEG. I'm sure it went well for you. I had muscle spasms for a few days but an ace bandage wrapped lightly around my belly and back seemed to help a lot. The only problem I ever had was feeding too fast! Go slowly at first and work your way faster. I was feeling so good and in such a hurry to eat that we just poured it down the tube and up through my mouth it came! We did this several times before we went back to the gastro and they helped us. Just go slowly at first. You will find this to be a godsend because eating becomes so impossible. Remember to put liquids thru too and stay hydrated.
Good luck to you.