Feeding Tube to be inserted Today

dwhite0002 said:

My j-tube
Keith,

I am 37 yrs. old. I still have a j-tube after four years. I have tried to go without it, and just can't eat enough. I still suffer nausea after meals if I eat very much at all. I am MUCH healthier with the tube.

I dissolve all my medications in hot water and have no trouble putting them through the tube. Some medications come as a liquid, also.

I take 4 cans of carnation Instant Breakfast VHC (Very High Calorie) each night, over 8 hours. Each can is 560 calories and is lactose free!

I sometiems have problems with the tube getting painful after several months. i am crossing my fingers this time. All in all, I have had 4-5 different placements on both sides.

Again, the j-tube is my lifeline. I can eat small amounts of this and that all day and not stress over the calories. I am also slowly gaining weight. I reached an all time low of 137 lbs. this past Novemeber. I am 6'4'' and am up to 145 lbs. My goal is to be at least 165/170 by spring.

I hope all this helps.

-David
Hillsboro, OH

Boston67 said:

J Tube Update - My observations
Hi,

Today is my first day at home. My J Tube was inserted 7 Days ago and I was hospitalized for 6 days. All went well and I am very happy with it. I write this to share my experience with others. This was not an option for me, and overall am very happy with the procedure and my current situation.

My previous procedure was the insertion of a dual port for Chemo, which was done in one day as an outpatient. I was quite surprised that the J Tube procedure was very serious general surgery, quite a step up, and a bit of a shock. There were no complications and good healing, but it was much more significant then I expected.

I have a large incision above my belly button about five inches lone, with a million stainless steel staples to be removed Monday. A small incision where the tube exists by belly cavity. I am still is the "gosh don't pull it out stage", but expect that to diminish with time. The procedure exhausted me and I am still gaining strength. A short walk in the hospital was a big deal. I had around the clock nursing care, and needed it. Brigham and Woman's Hospital was fabulous. I could not imagine better care or more professionalism. But is was indeed a big deal. I got through it with humor and a good attitude!

I had a visiting nurse come the first night I was home and the next day. They come again on Friday. That helped me build confidence, confirmed my ability and taught me the tricks of keeping the tube in place and safe. I think I will sleep on my back for a long time. The tube is on my belly and is better not to lie on it, I think, at least for now.

I have a log for many things, including all medication. I now also have a log on the feeding tube and record all the cans of food used with the date and time I reload the bag. I record the date and time that I use a new bag since it is only good for 24 hours. I must flush the tube every six hours and record the date and time of each flush also I don't miss any.

It seems very important to keep the tube clean. I left the hospital with a three way port and will switch on Monday at the hospital to a two way port, which is a little lighter. My doctors say no medication into the tube to keep it from clogging, so all medication is now liquid. Others confirm this as well.

My feeding at a rate of 70 and a 7 can a day requirement. That actually takes about 24 hours so I am on the tube all the time. My doctors have told me that 100% of what I need for nutrition is from the tube. They encourage me to eat what I can orally, but that my consumption through the tube will not dimishish for awhile, if at all. That removes from me the phychological stress of worrying about the pain of eating, but does put me on the tube all the time. It is restrictive to me, but I am adapting to my new normal.

I meet Monday with my doctors (oncology and J tube surgeon) to discuss status of healing and timing of Chemotherapy. The J tube surgeon was in my stomach cavity and was the second person to actually see my cancer. He took some biopsies which were positive for cancer. A CT scan after the surgery confirmed it's proper placement and allowed a comparison with the last CT scan several weeks ago. There is confirmed Metethasis and confirmed Stage IVB, so they are eager to begin Chemo. Since the cancer is near the J tube(can't define for you), proper healing is needed to assure that Chemo does not damage this area, which would be a big problem. At the moment, Chemo will begin the week of January 31, about three weeks after the surgery.

Cancer was described to me as a cell's DNA being altered as so their normal instructions to grow, or die, or do this or that have been corrupted. We know that the tumors are cancer and that I have cancer and the beginning of tumors in a few other places, but not major organs. I am told that mathethis is cells corrupted and going elsewhere in my body. There may be millions of such cells that do not yet show up as cancer today and the point of the this first Chemo is to attack as many of those as possible.

I have also learned that the statistics include everyone. Those that didn't have the right treatment, those that had no treatment, and those that are very sick in others ways. This hopeful news, and I think helps explain why I am finding so many people here and elsewhere who seem to beat the odds. God willing, that can be can be me as well.

My job for the next two weeks is to prepared both mentally and physically for Chemo. I have a great family and loving support system, include all of you, and all sorts of plans for any need medical or other support.

This feeding tube, while adding things I was not excpected (like a new freind that goes with me everywhere) has eased my mind a lot since I know I will get proper nutrition. For those on the fence, don't be afraid...in most ways it has freed me. I am sure I will quickly adapt to it.

Thanks for you love and support.

Keith
Age 67 Boston
Stage IV
About to begin Chemo.