Re: Laurie and Mic

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/4/04 11:27:53 AM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

> .Pooping is gonna be a problem.We are using the pediasure so thats ok they

> didnt change a thing there.I will see in a few days and make sure hes getting

> what he needs.I think we can keep him drinking enough hes doing it himself

>

Laurie,

I am so glad to hear that Mic and you are home and he is doing well. Sounds

like he is feeling much better already.

Remember that you can use the feeding tube to give medication and just water

to help with the bm issues. Of course check it with the dr. but you would hate

for him to start refusing to eat due to bowel issues.

Glad to hear he wasn't too traumatized.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

Laurie,

You and Mic are doing great. I am so glad that you are home already. We

didn't see any big changes in Brook immediately, it took some time for him to

heal and he also had 2 more surgeries in the next 8 weeks. Brook had his g tube

in for about 10 weeks I think, originally the pediatric surgeon had suggested it

would be for 12 weeks. We used it for venting only, until he had his

tonsillectomy and then we used it for all of his pain meds and feedings for over

a week. But Brook was an OK eater, he just couldn't keep anything down before

the Nissen.

Mostly Brook was in a great deal of pain from the reflux, so when the

pain stopped, his self-injurious behaviors stopped and he was able to focus and

begin to learn. The school nurse came out to our house and showed me and his

teacher and the aides how to deal with the g tube, as far as cleaning it and

venting, etc. That way when Brook was ready to go back to preschool, the staff

was prepared and I felt OK about letting him go.

Brook did pull the tube out one night, luckily my sister Jackie, who is a

doctor, was spending the night and she put a new one in. The hosp had given us

an extra g tube, in case he pulled it out and sure enough he did. But, he was

only able to do that because, there is a little balloon on the tube, on the

inside of the stomach that keeps it in place and the balloon had deflated, there

was nothing to stop it from falling right out, so when Brook touched it, it just

glided right out. We did get this special netting from a medical suppy company,

that we put around his abdomen to keep the tube away from his hands. He was into

twirling things at the time. That worked very well, and we dressed him in

overalls and one piece outfits so he couldn't get at it. It was a pretty intense

time for us, but it has helped Brook a lot!!

Marisa

[Guest guest]

Laurie,

After the surgery, the sphincter is really tight and it is really hard for

liquids or gas to pass upwards. So, use the g tube for venting, we were told to

do it on a regular schedule of so many times a day or after every meal, I can't

remember exactly. It was pretty simple, just hold the tube out and up and open

up the end. We did it more in the beginning and less later once we saw that

there wasn't any gas to vent. If you're going to have Mic's tonsils out I would

recommend doing it while the tube is in, even if that means keeping it around a

little longer. A tonsillectomy is very painful and Brook wouldn't eat for over

a week. We gave him pediasure that week and his other meds in the tube too.

Brook was not able to vomit for years and years after the Nissen. We keep

a supply of phenergen suppositories in case he gets nauseated. It has been 10

years since Brook's Nissen and he is still doing great. It is difficult for him

to vomit, but he has a few times. What other surgeries might Mic need?

Marisa

[Guest guest]

Welcome home to Mic and you and your dh too, Laurie. I'm glad he's home

and doing well.

Donna