PEG is out

D Lewis
D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My PEG was removed this morning. Mine had a good-sized flexible mushroom-shaped end to it. I still can't believe they were able to jerk that thing out through the little tube-sized hole. Yeouch! I was yelping like a puppy and squeezing the nurse's hand. No bravado here. With all due respect to the Marine who posted that it would only burn for about six seconds; mine burned for somewhat longer than that. However, half an hour later, I only have a minor residual soreness. No bathing-swimming-soaking for a week and/or until it closes completely off. I was told showering and eating were fine. Right now, I'm sipping a Carnation Instant Breakfast, and wondering if I'm going to see it start soaking the gauze covering the hole... Eeeeeewwww. TMI, sorry.

But, the people that are going through this or have been there are the only ones who could possibly understand. Thank you all for listening, advising, and offering your support.

Tube-less Deb (who will be much happier about this later, I'm sure)

Comments

  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    Way to go, Deb. Yea, You right !!
    It's really a strange feeling having that darn thing gone. It should close up before long, and it wouldn't hurt to put some Neosporin on it when you change the bandage. Congratulations.......that thing is outta here.

    Larry
  • stevenl
    stevenl Member Posts: 587
    Pain
    Hi Deb,

    I'm sorry yours hurt so much. But ain't it grand not to have that thing sticking out of you!! I had a pile of gauze and tape after and I waited 24 hours before I removed it. The hole was closed and I had only leaked a little. I stayed on my back as much as I could the first 24 hours and I think that helped the leaking. So you squealed like a pig under a fence huh? I don't blame you. But good going. Another giant step in recovery.

    Best,
    Steve
  • Tanager75
    Tanager75 Member Posts: 89 Member
    PEG
    That was a big day to have that removed. It seemed like I was making progress that day (and I was). You are on your way and I hope you continue to do well.

    mark
  • Landranger25
    Landranger25 Member Posts: 210 Member
    Tanager75 said:

    PEG
    That was a big day to have that removed. It seemed like I was making progress that day (and I was). You are on your way and I hope you continue to do well.

    mark

    Good for you Deb. I had the
    Good for you Deb. I had the same model! While describing the removal procedure to my Oncologist he commented about the Port/PEG surgeon (same guy for both) that the difference between him being a good surgeon and a great surgeon was having someone perform one of those procedures on him! As for your belly hole. will be closed before you know it. Surgeon told me stomach heals in hours, skin on outside maybe 48 hours. I'm guessing you have a good feeling about yourself today. I remember I did. gets even better when the port goes away. Keep it up.

    Mike
  • Fire34
    Fire34 Member Posts: 365

    Good for you Deb. I had the
    Good for you Deb. I had the same model! While describing the removal procedure to my Oncologist he commented about the Port/PEG surgeon (same guy for both) that the difference between him being a good surgeon and a great surgeon was having someone perform one of those procedures on him! As for your belly hole. will be closed before you know it. Surgeon told me stomach heals in hours, skin on outside maybe 48 hours. I'm guessing you have a good feeling about yourself today. I remember I did. gets even better when the port goes away. Keep it up.

    Mike

    Congrats
    Deb
    Congrats on getting that thing removed. I couldn't wait to try and get a good nights sleep without it. LOL
    Did anyone here have to go thru tests before it was removed? U of Chicago had a second swallow test to make sure things were working ok before they removed mine. Prior to removal my weight gain was minimal
    Deb dont worry mine didn't leak at all showered the next day and all that I can see is a little mark that is almost gone.
    Again Congrats
    Dave
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    Fire34 said:

    Congrats
    Deb
    Congrats on getting that thing removed. I couldn't wait to try and get a good nights sleep without it. LOL
    Did anyone here have to go thru tests before it was removed? U of Chicago had a second swallow test to make sure things were working ok before they removed mine. Prior to removal my weight gain was minimal
    Deb dont worry mine didn't leak at all showered the next day and all that I can see is a little mark that is almost gone.
    Again Congrats
    Dave

    Cool Deb!
    Good news Deb. Glad to hear it. Anything that good is worth a little pain. In fact I think I heard you yelping all the way over here. Congrats!
    Greg
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    Greg53 said:

    Cool Deb!
    Good news Deb. Glad to hear it. Anything that good is worth a little pain. In fact I think I heard you yelping all the way over here. Congrats!
    Greg

    Congratulations!!!
    Congratulations on finally getting your tube out. The first thing I did was sleep on my stomach and it was heaven ;-)

    Mine has been out for 8 months now and I have a small indentation in my stomach and I just tell everyone I have 2 belly buttons.

    Celebrate now Deb as this is another big step forward.

    Hoping you continue to improve everyday.
    Glenna
  • Pumakitty
    Pumakitty Member Posts: 652
    Congrats
    That is great!
    Kathy
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    Pumakitty said:

    Congrats
    That is great!
    Kathy

    Good news...
    Good news for you is good news for all us. A little celebration this evening for the PEGectomy!! Enjoy all that comes with being tubeless! Congrats!
    Kim
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    Pumakitty said:

    Congrats
    That is great!
    Kathy

    Deb!
    How wonderfull for you! No more having to wear loose top's. That is what bug's me the most.
    Plus being able to sleep on your belly. Good for you! I am jealous lol!
  • miccmill
    miccmill Member Posts: 248
    rozaroo said:

    Deb!
    How wonderfull for you! No more having to wear loose top's. That is what bug's me the most.
    Plus being able to sleep on your belly. Good for you! I am jealous lol!

    Wonderful news
    Deb, congratulations on your Pegless status.
    It really is encouraging to hear this from folks farther along in treatment.
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    Another mile stone 1
    Good one Deb. I nice new sense of freedom for you.

    Scam
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member

    Another mile stone 1
    Good one Deb. I nice new sense of freedom for you.

    Scam

    Good thing
    And very happy for you, Deb. Yes- a very good thing. I took it easy on the eats for a couple days, but was not advised to for so long. A month+ later, and I still get a little seapage-like stuff in the late-afternoons at work, but not every day. Hope your new belly button heals-up good, girl. Very happy for you.

    kcass
  • dogsrule
    dogsrule Member Posts: 96
    Kent Cass said:

    Good thing
    And very happy for you, Deb. Yes- a very good thing. I took it easy on the eats for a couple days, but was not advised to for so long. A month+ later, and I still get a little seapage-like stuff in the late-afternoons at work, but not every day. Hope your new belly button heals-up good, girl. Very happy for you.

    kcass

    Great news
    It feels so good to get rid of the PEG. Had mine taken out a little over a month ago. It was leaking for almost 3 or 4 weeks. Noticed it leaked more after eating, laughing alot, when more active. I had to keep gauze over it so it didn't mess up my tops. It doesn't leak anymore now. Feels good not to have anything stuck to my skin. Very happy for you.

    Jo
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Deb


    Glad to hear you got it out, sorry about the pain but it is worth it.
  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    great news, Deb. Way to
    great news, Deb. Way to go.
    God Bless you friend,
    debbie
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    You Go, Tubeless Deb!
    Hoping to follow in your footsteps, soon (oh, except for the yelping like a little girl part - teasing!).

    My procedure to protect my PEG includes wearing tank tops as undershirts - it'll be good to lose that extra layer.

    Keep troopin'
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    You Go, Tubeless Deb!
    Hoping to follow in your footsteps, soon (oh, except for the yelping like a little girl part - teasing!).

    My procedure to protect my PEG includes wearing tank tops as undershirts - it'll be good to lose that extra layer.

    Keep troopin'
  • davidgskinner
    davidgskinner Member Posts: 81
    Pam M said:

    You Go, Tubeless Deb!
    Hoping to follow in your footsteps, soon (oh, except for the yelping like a little girl part - teasing!).

    My procedure to protect my PEG includes wearing tank tops as undershirts - it'll be good to lose that extra layer.

    Keep troopin'

    Yahoo...
    good for you! A big mile stone getting that thing out.
    When I went to get mine out, the receptionist kind of whispered to me "How do they take those out?" I said I didn't know, but would give her a report when I came out. So when I came out I described the "distract the patient then quick yank" method the doc used on me.
    She went pale and looked like she was going to faint.
    Forgive me, but that was worth the pain!