peg tube

denise417
denise417 Member Posts: 32
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi Everyone, Just wanted to know if someone can tell me about having a peg tube put it, as I go Wednesday for one. They told me to pack a bag in case I stay the night. Oh , I hope not, my poor dogs are so tired of me being gone and someone letting them in and out. I had a trach put in a month ago, same deal, except I was there for 5 days. Plus, does anyone else out there have both trach and peg put in? Just seems like alot of things added onto the body before treatment even starts. Any advice out there on what to expect? And do I need home help after this?? Help....

Comments

  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #2
    Husband Just Had Peg Put In
    My husband is having a recurrence of cancer treated a year ago. He did not have a peg tube for last year's chemo/rads but is having surgery this round, and had to have the peg as he won't be able to swallow for several months. He had the tube put in 10 days ago. The procedure took about 30 min total, and he did have some pain afterward. He was kept in hospital overnight, it's their standard for this procedure, to get nutritional consult and so he could see doc next morn. He took pain meds while in hospital and hasn't had any since coming home. He is not using it yet, will use after surgery, but we are flushing with water once a day. So far, no big deal. He cleans the spot and puts neosoporine on it, keeps a bandage over it.

    He has lots of hardware also - has the feeding tube, and a port-a-cath he got for last year's chemo that hasn't come out. He will be getting a trach during surgery that is supposed to be temporary only until the swelling goes down from the surgery.

    It all seems overwhelming, just take it one step at a time and the medical staff will guide you. Be sure and ask questions about anything you are unsure of.

    Hang in there.
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #3
    Peg
    Hey sorry to hear you are going through this. My husband had his fedding tube put in 5 weeks ago and is using it daily now. It was out patient surgery and took about 20 minutes and then he was in recovery for about an hour. He came home with me as soon as he woke up good. They used a scope and went down the throat to place the tube. He had very little pain was able to go to work the next day, and ate what ever he wanted afterwards. It is amazing how something that sounds so complicated is really very simple for the doctor.
    Just had to keep it covered with a gauze for about 2 weeks, flush it daily with water.
    He is also cleaning around it daily with soapy water and a Qtip, the puts a little neosporin around the tube. The only problem he had was (the butterfly clip they use on the outside of the belly to hold the tube in place) to tight and had to go to the doctors office to have it adjusted out some. They said as he drops weight it will need to be tightened back up. During surgery you are laying down and when you stand the belly pooches out somewhat. So this is something to look for when you wake up in recovery have the nurse to check it for you before you go home to be sure its not to tight against the skin. It should have about 1/4" space between the clip and where the tube goes into the stomach. You need enough play to turn it daily and push in and out the 1/4" to make sure it is free from muscle and tissue inside the belly wall. Hope this helps, thats about all I can think of right now.
    Terry
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #4
    Yes
    Denise,

    The answer to your question is yes, I had both, the trach and the peg tube at the same time as I had my surgery of the base of tongue cancer. You may stay over night to make sure everything is alright and then you may go home. As the others posted above, keep the Peg site clean. Flush at least once a day if not twice when you are not using it to feed yourself.

    I was able to handle everything myself. Feed myself either with some soft foods or cans of nutrition during my treatments and recovery periods. My wife was always near by except when she was at work. But, I wanted to do as much for myself as I could, I was now out of work and she just wanted me to concentrate on getting better. I did have a home care Nurse stop in twice during the week to make sure I was doing things correctly. Those visits dropped off quickly as she said I was on top of everything.

    You will be able to do this, and if you have any questions, there are plenty of people here that have experienced different things to have an answer to your question(s).

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • denise417
    denise417 Member Posts: 32
    #5
    terryscarlett said:

    Peg
    Hey sorry to hear you are going through this. My husband had his fedding tube put in 5 weeks ago and is using it daily now. It was out patient surgery and took about 20 minutes and then he was in recovery for about an hour. He came home with me as soon as he woke up good. They used a scope and went down the throat to place the tube. He had very little pain was able to go to work the next day, and ate what ever he wanted afterwards. It is amazing how something that sounds so complicated is really very simple for the doctor.
    Just had to keep it covered with a gauze for about 2 weeks, flush it daily with water.
    He is also cleaning around it daily with soapy water and a Qtip, the puts a little neosporin around the tube. The only problem he had was (the butterfly clip they use on the outside of the belly to hold the tube in place) to tight and had to go to the doctors office to have it adjusted out some. They said as he drops weight it will need to be tightened back up. During surgery you are laying down and when you stand the belly pooches out somewhat. So this is something to look for when you wake up in recovery have the nurse to check it for you before you go home to be sure its not to tight against the skin. It should have about 1/4" space between the clip and where the tube goes into the stomach. You need enough play to turn it daily and push in and out the 1/4" to make sure it is free from muscle and tissue inside the belly wall. Hope this helps, thats about all I can think of right now.
    Terry

    peg
    Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am so upset about this. I hope this goes as well for me. Maybe some of this will be in my attitude, so I am paying attention to what you are saying and hope that helps me. I know I will have to come home and rest, I am sure it will be uncomfortable, but knowledge of it may help me. Thank you again denise
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #6
    terryscarlett said:

    Peg
    Hey sorry to hear you are going through this. My husband had his fedding tube put in 5 weeks ago and is using it daily now. It was out patient surgery and took about 20 minutes and then he was in recovery for about an hour. He came home with me as soon as he woke up good. They used a scope and went down the throat to place the tube. He had very little pain was able to go to work the next day, and ate what ever he wanted afterwards. It is amazing how something that sounds so complicated is really very simple for the doctor.
    Just had to keep it covered with a gauze for about 2 weeks, flush it daily with water.
    He is also cleaning around it daily with soapy water and a Qtip, the puts a little neosporin around the tube. The only problem he had was (the butterfly clip they use on the outside of the belly to hold the tube in place) to tight and had to go to the doctors office to have it adjusted out some. They said as he drops weight it will need to be tightened back up. During surgery you are laying down and when you stand the belly pooches out somewhat. So this is something to look for when you wake up in recovery have the nurse to check it for you before you go home to be sure its not to tight against the skin. It should have about 1/4" space between the clip and where the tube goes into the stomach. You need enough play to turn it daily and push in and out the 1/4" to make sure it is free from muscle and tissue inside the belly wall. Hope this helps, thats about all I can think of right now.
    Terry

    wondering
    Terry,

    Did your husband's hydration issue get resolved?
  • denise417
    denise417 Member Posts: 32
    #7
    MarineE5 said:

    Yes
    Denise,

    The answer to your question is yes, I had both, the trach and the peg tube at the same time as I had my surgery of the base of tongue cancer. You may stay over night to make sure everything is alright and then you may go home. As the others posted above, keep the Peg site clean. Flush at least once a day if not twice when you are not using it to feed yourself.

    I was able to handle everything myself. Feed myself either with some soft foods or cans of nutrition during my treatments and recovery periods. My wife was always near by except when she was at work. But, I wanted to do as much for myself as I could, I was now out of work and she just wanted me to concentrate on getting better. I did have a home care Nurse stop in twice during the week to make sure I was doing things correctly. Those visits dropped off quickly as she said I was on top of everything.

    You will be able to do this, and if you have any questions, there are plenty of people here that have experienced different things to have an answer to your question(s).

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

    yes
    I am sorry that you had both too, but glad to know I am not alone. Sure feels like it, the trach is my sore spot, something everyone see's and comments on. I have had it about a month now, and its like day one for me, just cannot adjust to it. I had breast cancer 10 yrs ago, had a rad mast. and never looked back. That did not bother me for one minute, so I feel like a jerk for letting this get to me this way. Now the peg.....geez..I am eatting solid foods, have been all along. I use thick-it in my drinks. So the peg is being put in as I wil need it, no question about that. Just lucky so far. Thank you for letting me know I am not alone, it makes a difference. And it sounds like the past for you, I sure hope so. Speedy recovery to all, denise
  • denise417
    denise417 Member Posts: 32
    #8
    kimmygarland said:

    Husband Just Had Peg Put In
    My husband is having a recurrence of cancer treated a year ago. He did not have a peg tube for last year's chemo/rads but is having surgery this round, and had to have the peg as he won't be able to swallow for several months. He had the tube put in 10 days ago. The procedure took about 30 min total, and he did have some pain afterward. He was kept in hospital overnight, it's their standard for this procedure, to get nutritional consult and so he could see doc next morn. He took pain meds while in hospital and hasn't had any since coming home. He is not using it yet, will use after surgery, but we are flushing with water once a day. So far, no big deal. He cleans the spot and puts neosoporine on it, keeps a bandage over it.

    He has lots of hardware also - has the feeding tube, and a port-a-cath he got for last year's chemo that hasn't come out. He will be getting a trach during surgery that is supposed to be temporary only until the swelling goes down from the surgery.

    It all seems overwhelming, just take it one step at a time and the medical staff will guide you. Be sure and ask questions about anything you are unsure of.

    Hang in there.

    peg
    Was your husband able to swallow with the chemo/rads ? Just 10 days ago, so really new too. Like I said, I am not sure what they will do yet. I am on pain meds, so that part I can handle at home. I have a home health nurse that is suppose to show up, but they aren't as dependable as they should be. And I will need to know how to care for it. Oh, just so much. But you are right, one step at a time, and this is the next one. I will hang in there, and the best to your husband. I will be watching for the news that it is over and all went well. Love finding everyone here, you will all be in my prayers every night. Together we will survive each and every new day...thank you for being there for me. denise
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #9
    denise417 said:

    yes
    I am sorry that you had both too, but glad to know I am not alone. Sure feels like it, the trach is my sore spot, something everyone see's and comments on. I have had it about a month now, and its like day one for me, just cannot adjust to it. I had breast cancer 10 yrs ago, had a rad mast. and never looked back. That did not bother me for one minute, so I feel like a jerk for letting this get to me this way. Now the peg.....geez..I am eatting solid foods, have been all along. I use thick-it in my drinks. So the peg is being put in as I wil need it, no question about that. Just lucky so far. Thank you for letting me know I am not alone, it makes a difference. And it sounds like the past for you, I sure hope so. Speedy recovery to all, denise

    Yes again,
    Denise,

    You are correct, the trach and the peg are in the past for me, nearly 6 years ago now. I had a few other things at the same time as well as the peg and trach. You will get through this. I hope that you don't have to even use the Peg tube, as some people don't have as rough a time as many. I had to use the cans right away, as I had part of my tongue removed.

    After several weeks of the down sizing of the trach and final removal of it. I was asked to swallow some water. I was able to and the Surgeon said I could try to eat some soft foods like oat meal. I relied on both, soft foods orally and cans via the Peg tube as my throat was still swollen a bit. Then radiation treatments caused sores and swelling again.

    I cut back on eating orally as the treatments went on, but tried non the less. We can't stop the swallow motion if at all possible.

    We will be here for you to lean on when needed, there is a good group of people here.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #10
    denise417 said:

    yes
    I am sorry that you had both too, but glad to know I am not alone. Sure feels like it, the trach is my sore spot, something everyone see's and comments on. I have had it about a month now, and its like day one for me, just cannot adjust to it. I had breast cancer 10 yrs ago, had a rad mast. and never looked back. That did not bother me for one minute, so I feel like a jerk for letting this get to me this way. Now the peg.....geez..I am eatting solid foods, have been all along. I use thick-it in my drinks. So the peg is being put in as I wil need it, no question about that. Just lucky so far. Thank you for letting me know I am not alone, it makes a difference. And it sounds like the past for you, I sure hope so. Speedy recovery to all, denise

    PEG Op
    It's a minor Outpatient Op. Mine was scheduled for 8AM, and I was home before Noon. Even drove myself home, though I had to have a friend walk me out of the hospital, and drive me to my car, which was in the hospital lot. I had no pain with the Power Port, but did have a couple days of discomfort with the PEG, at times- such as when I coughed.

    You will likely have to get hooked-up with a Home Medical company- for them to get you your Jevity formula to put into the tube. And, Denise, there may come a time when you will be very glad you got the PEG. Know I was- got all my Nutrition thru it for some 7-weeks during treatment. You'll need 3x3 or 4x4 guaze pads, and plenty of paper tape.

    Good luck, and keep us updated.

    kcass

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