 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | Just FTR, replacing a tube with another is not the same as pulling a tube, letting the insertion site scar over (which it does really quickly--that's why they say to go to the ER if it comes out-scar tissue starts forming over the site within 24 hours), and then trying to insert a tube again weeks or months later.
Karen, I have had a tube for a little over 3 years now because of long term swallowing difficulties--only had it replaced once. But I haven't had any infection probelms either.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
| 
