L Spriggs, posting an answer on a new topic about feeding tubes

Donna70

Hi,
I don't know how to interpose your question and posting so I hope I got your attention about the feeding tube. Yes to feeding tubes if it is possible for you to get your Dad to get it esp. since he is not eating and losing much weight. I had to have an NG tube before surgery because of the weight loss and not being able to swallow hardly and at surgery the j tube was put in for 3 months, I could not have survived without it. It is not that hard to handle and I could use it at night and eat during the day, it was a lifesaver. Now I posted you under a new heading because some of the posts that this was under are our dear friends who did not win the battle against EC if you will notice they are from 2009. They have fought the good fight and their loved ones still come on and let us know how they are doing but those postings are old but the info given by others is all good and Sherri is our ultimate expert for feeding difficulties and fighting the food fight via tubes. Good luck and come on and tell us more about your Dad. welcome to this board. take care,
Donna70

paul61

LSpriggs

In the thread titled my husband cannot keep fluids or food down???
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You posted

December 26, 2010 - 4:10pm

I am having the same problem with my Dad
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My Dad has cancer in his lymph nodes. It has not spread into the organs or brain just into his lymph nodes but he refuses to eat and he is dying from starvation and malnutrition.
I am urging him to get a feeding tube. He doesn't seem to want that but I want to hear from those that have a feeding tube and have had a feeding tube and their recommendations please?

Bailey1459 Posted

December 26, 2010 - 4:18pm

Get the Jtube
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My husband Jim, had a jtube inserted even before the staging due to eating difficulties. He had it for about 5 months and then was able to shrink the tumor enough and with an esophageal stretch was able to eat normally. Without the Jtube, Jim wouldn't be here today. Although it is scary for some, one has to remember that it gives life, whether or not you like it. Jim had lost about 30 pounds prior to the tube. Once the tube was placed he used the tube and the mouth to gain the weight. At one time, he gained all the way back to pre cancer weight. When he wanted the tube out, it was just pulled out within 30 seconds in the doctors office. The jtube gave me peace of mind knowing that Jim was getting all of the needed calories, hydration and medication through the tube as well.

Sherri

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I would encourage you to do the same thing. I had a Jtube inserted shortly after my Ivor Lewis surgery last December. It helped me with much needed nutrition while my body learned how to eat with my new modified digestive system. I was not happy with this tube sticking out of my side at first, but I learned that it was my small price for survival while I got better. And quite frankly once I learned how to care for it and tuck it out of sight under my clothes it was really a very minor price to pay for the nutrition, hydration, and medication I needed. Once I was done with it, my surgeon popped it out in his office with no medication required and no discomfort.

Please tell your Dad that he will be glad he has done it once it is in. I know he probably perceives it as some kind of surrender to cancer to get the tube, trust me; it is not.


Best Regards,

Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina

DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
6/21/2010 CT Scan NED

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

Unknown

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Unknown

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Susan_E

unknown said:

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I agree
My dad suffered a 70 lb weight loss this year prior to his diagnosis. Although he had a stent inserted last November, he's had a difficult time swallowing. Even liquids and pureed foods can be difficult because they sometimes make him cough and cause discomfort. This made it next to impossible to get enough calories into him. We resorted to ice cream, pie filling, and other high caloric foods. Still, he would not eat enough.

My dad had a J-tube inserted two weeks ago which is set on a continual feeding on an automatic pump at home. We also give him water through the tube a few times a day so he get enough fluids without having to swallow several glasses of water.

Learning how to manage and maintain the J-tube can be intimidating at first. After you've been through the steps a few times, you'll realize how easy it is to do. It also doesn't cause my dad any discomfort, even when we're pushing water through the tube with a syringe. he says he can't feel a thing.