G-Tube

Ginny_B
Ginny_B Member Posts: 532
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Mom is going to have a G Tube inserted on the 8th. What do I need to know about feeding her through a tube? I was not able to be at the doc's office when she was told this. She is of no help in answering questions. She shuts off her brain. My brother told me someone would come and show me how to feed her through the G-Tube.

Does this mean she doesn't eat any food through her mouth? What about liquids? What about infection? Is this horrible, or am I going overboard, as usual?

Biopsy doc said the breast tissue looked good, but atypical. Took 3 cut samples, then inserted a clip. I'm bandaged, sore, and feeling very very positive. I just can't move the right arm very far from the breast. He didn't want to do the L breast. Said to wait for the diagnostic mammo in 12 weeks. I'm glad it's over.

I'm going to take a nap. Mom ate and she's down, so I might as well go down too.

Comments

  • sangora
    sangora Member Posts: 213
    #2
    G Tube
    Ginny, I have a G tube and have been fine with it. They are not hard to take care of and in the 2 years I have had mine have not had any infection issues. One can eat while using them, doesn't interfere with that at all. I assume since she is eating, they want it for added calories. Mine was put in one morning and I was using it my late afternoon. I experienced no pain or discomfort with it at all and it has not had any tendency to come out or clog up. Someone will explain exactly what to do. Its easy, don't panic. Sam Stage IV
  • Daisylin
    Daisylin Member Posts: 365
    #3
    Hooray for the feeding tube!!!!
    Ginny, not only will your mom's life become so much easier, yours will too. This is a good thing, a great thing, a fantastic thing!!!!! Lee and I had to fight so hard to get one, and when they finally approved, it was the best thing that he ever did, treatment wise.

    Lee had a GJ-tube, which feeds into the small intestine, but is inserted through the large intestine. We were told that with his vomiting issues, a j tube is better, because if he were to vomit, the nutrition would not be lost. They told us that the procedure was the same to insert it, and could easily be converted to a g-tube if he ever got the vomiting under control. The feeds are done slowly (with the j-tube), and took about 12 hours, so he hooked up overnight, and then a few hours during the day when he was resting. Some have complained about being "leashed" to the feeding tube for 12 hours, but Lee never seemed to mind it. If he wanted to go out, or get away from it, all you have to do is turn it off, and restart it when you are ready! I would have to assume that your mom spends most of her days in a chair or in bed, so movement should not be too much of an issue.

    From what I assume, a G-tube is different in that you just push the nutrition in, and the feedings don't take more than a few minutes at a time, as it's going into the large intestine. We were told very strongly though that the GJ-tube was a better choice, even though you needed to be hooked up longer. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about G-tubes will fill you in. Other than the not vomiting it up, I don't know the benefits of one over the other, only what was best for Lee.

    Lee had NO pain, no irritation, no discomfort from the tube. It was not lovely to look at, but not horrible either. Your mom will still be able to eat or drink all she wants, but the great news is that she does not have to!!!! This took so much pressure off of both of us, and freed up so much of my mental overload. She can hydrate, as well as many pills can be crushed and put into the tube. (make sure you ask the doctor or pharmacist first, some are not intended to be crushed, long acting pain relief for one) The pharmacy can also make most meds into liquid form for you.

    Do not see the feeding tube as a scary thing, be very glad to get one for mom. It will take away so much of your daily stress, in trying to get her to eat and drink. Those days will be over!!! The feeding tube pump is so easy to operate and very low maintenance. There will be someone showing you how to use it, and don't panic, it's really easy. Just a few simple steps.

    The only thing we ever had a problem with was clogging. If you are not very vigilant about flushing the feeding tube with water, you will get a clogged line. The best thing we found to unclog was from the cancer centre, it was 2 pills that you crush and dissolve in water, then push into the tube. It worked like magic! There are other fixes for a clogged tube as well, but you should see if your cancer centre has any. They were very inexpensive (about $2 for about 20 unclogs) We only used 2 or 3 of them, so remember, if you flush the line regularly, you don't need to worry about it, but better to be prepared in case it does happen. Our local pharmacy did not have and could not get them, so see the cancer clinic for them.

    Now, about you Ginny, I'm still praying for you, glad that everything looked good. Rest up and heal quickly!! Lots of hugs!

    Be well,
    Chantal
  • Ginny_B
    Ginny_B Member Posts: 532
    #4
    Oh great! So the part about
    Oh great! So the part about me stressing over her refusal to eat and continuos weight loss will be gone! Wonderful news! Maybe not so many break-through meds now. Seems the 12-hour Morphine will work fine, then the feeding tube.

    Apparently, she will not be able to eat when she starts the internal radiation, hence the tube. I was worried because I was not with her when this was explained.

    As for me... we removed the dressing and the biopsy area feels sooooooo much better. Boy, they really bind you up! Now I wait for the all clear from pathology, which I believe will be coming!
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #5
    Hooray! and HOORAY!
    Glad your mom's getting a tube. It's just an alternative - available to be used as needed or to supplement calories, as Sam said.

    Glad YOUR news was good, Ginny! Prayers that the next mammo scan results show good also.

    Love & hugs,

    Terry
  • Daisylin
    Daisylin Member Posts: 365
    #6
    Ginny_B said:

    Oh great! So the part about
    Oh great! So the part about me stressing over her refusal to eat and continuos weight loss will be gone! Wonderful news! Maybe not so many break-through meds now. Seems the 12-hour Morphine will work fine, then the feeding tube.

    Apparently, she will not be able to eat when she starts the internal radiation, hence the tube. I was worried because I was not with her when this was explained.

    As for me... we removed the dressing and the biopsy area feels sooooooo much better. Boy, they really bind you up! Now I wait for the all clear from pathology, which I believe will be coming!

    That's right!
    No more stressing out about food, that was such a bonus for BOTH of us. It truly freed me up to be the "wife" as we've chatted about before. The most I had to do was offer him some ice cream or whatever, and he usually said no, but it was not a big deal any more. I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. He was still supposed to get some calories in, but if he didn't it wasn't an issue. He still tried to have a few hundred calories, by way of juice or ice cream, but never forced himself to eat. (and I never felt the need to force him to try) He began to maintain his weight immediately. Unfortunately for Lee, they waited way too long to insert it, had they done it sooner, I feel that he would have had way more quality and probably quantity life as well. Starving to death is not pretty.

    The main issue we had was with remembering to hydrate. I would just fill up the syringe and hand it to him every hour or so and whenever he unleashed himself. Hydrating is quick and easy, but also just as easy to forget..... So, I always kept a glass of water and the syringe on the island, so we'd both see it every time we passed by the kitchen. I'd also fill one up before bed to leave on the bedside table in case he unleashed during the night, for whatever reason.

    Glad you are feeling better, I'm sure you'll be tender for a while!! But so glad for the good news and positive attitude!!!
    Chantal
  • Ginny_B
    Ginny_B Member Posts: 532
    #7
    Daisylin said:

    That's right!
    No more stressing out about food, that was such a bonus for BOTH of us. It truly freed me up to be the "wife" as we've chatted about before. The most I had to do was offer him some ice cream or whatever, and he usually said no, but it was not a big deal any more. I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. He was still supposed to get some calories in, but if he didn't it wasn't an issue. He still tried to have a few hundred calories, by way of juice or ice cream, but never forced himself to eat. (and I never felt the need to force him to try) He began to maintain his weight immediately. Unfortunately for Lee, they waited way too long to insert it, had they done it sooner, I feel that he would have had way more quality and probably quantity life as well. Starving to death is not pretty.

    The main issue we had was with remembering to hydrate. I would just fill up the syringe and hand it to him every hour or so and whenever he unleashed himself. Hydrating is quick and easy, but also just as easy to forget..... So, I always kept a glass of water and the syringe on the island, so we'd both see it every time we passed by the kitchen. I'd also fill one up before bed to leave on the bedside table in case he unleashed during the night, for whatever reason.

    Glad you are feeling better, I'm sure you'll be tender for a while!! But so glad for the good news and positive attitude!!!
    Chantal

    I have a set place for mom
    I have a set place for mom to take what she needs at the appropriate time. I used to be able to set up stuff for the day, but she started to get confused, so now I just leave out what she can take as she sees it. She goes from Bed to table, from table to recliner, vice-versa all day. She used to go for walks outside in the sun, but lately too weak (and too cold).

    Now that she knows a feeding tube is being "installed" she's eating all she can. Maybe it's because the Morphine and Diludad are finally working well together or maybe it's because she's fretting over me and not feeling sorry for herself - I dunno. She's just doing well last 2 days. Hardly coughing either.

    Now that the G Tube is on it's way, I wonder if I need to continue with the Megestrol. I'll ask the Onc next visit. Monday I have to call the Endo doc to order a scope and biopsy. Onc doc wants that ASAP.

    All is good tonight.

Discussion Boards