My Adult Sister Gets Her J-Tube Today

[shoes99]

My 55 yo sister has had a rough 10 years. She had a pseudo-lymphoma and 1/2 her stomach was removed via surgery. She went from 150 lbs down to 100 lbs. It was a hard pill to swallow that she was not going to get better. Her stomach was just not working, and 15 month ago she was given a PICK line for feeding and hydration. Several infections later, and a special visit to Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC resulted in a better handling of her nutrition needs. She went in 2 weeks ago for a diagnostic test, and Tuesday she went in for more tests. They deemed her a candidate for a J-tube and much to her surprise, kept her in the hospital. She lives 100 miles south of NYC in Central NJ. We have been taking turns doing the 100 mile trip. This AM they sucessfully inserted the J-tube. She will come home tonight or tomorrow.

Her nutritionist hooked her up with the Oley foundation. She went to their national conference in Mass in July. She said it was an eye-opening experience. That is where she met some contacts from Memorial Sloan Kettering. They worked with her to get a quick appointment and now she hopes to maintain her nutrition....and maybe not have so many infections with the permanent line. She can take food my mouth, but not enough to sustain.
Please send PD to her and our family. It has been a rough road.
Michele
Update: She is home, and she corrected me, its a J-tube because it bypasses the stomach.

 

[bex271]

Michele,
i hope your sister is doing o.k. and will be able to get the nutrition that she needs, and the g-tube should be easy for her too sending good vibes her way. My son has had one for 3 years now and we have never had an infection or any problem.

becca

 

[Microcell]

I worked with a man who we had to help feed, and he didn't like it at all, but we thought we knew what was best, avoiding that dreaded G Tube. Mostly it was dreaded because our funding structure didn't support it because we were an ICFMR and not 24 hour nursing. The company's director found a loophole in the law and the man was allowed to stay when it came to G tube time, and really, it improved his quality of life so much!

Here is hoping it does the same for your sister!

 

[mrsmom]

My youngest dd had one placed at 3 months old because she couldn't take in enough by mouth. It really wasn't that bad as people think. it saved her life and we never had any infections or problems. when she was older they took it out and she now says she has two belly buttons. to your sister , i hope your sister gets better soon.
Kim

 

[dclfun]

I'm an adult who's also had a G-tube for several years now. Other than the initial tenderness I don't ever think about it as it doesn't bother me at all. She should feel sooooo much better to have proper nutrition and weight. I wish her luck-sounds like she has the support of a wonderful family.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

Most people I know of kind of dread the idea of a G tube, but are very happy once they have done it. Most people have no problems and wish they had done it sooner.

 

[shoes99]

Thanks everyone for their well wishes. My sister is home and doing well. She is very sore, but happy to be out of the hospital. She corrected me and said she has a J-tube....