Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#121111 08-30-2010 11:06 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,082
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
OP Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,082
I found this on the Oley Foundation web site that deals just with feeding tube patients. It was written by a "Christine" (although not OCF's wonderful Christine) anyway for those with a feeding tube, here is a smile
[quote]The Joys of Tube Feeding

We all have difficulties and complications with our G- and J-tubes, but I thought it would be neat to create a list of why it�s totally cool to have a G-tube and all the ways it is a bonus in my life. So here goes:

1. I never have to worry about having food in my teeth! No fear of the embarrassing comment, �By the way, you�ve had a piece of spinach on your tooth for the last half hour.�

2. When on a canned diet, there�s no grocery shopping, food preparation, refrigeration, microwaves, or ovens involved! No mess, no dishes. I just pop a can lid.

3. More time! My day is not spent eating, buying food, or waiting in line.

4. Although I believe I will be better off on real food, there�s no worry about balanced nutrition, hidden calories, excess sodium or sugar, or unhealthy fat. It�s all balanced right there in my can. Just syringe and go.

5. It doesn�t matter what the food tastes like. I can completely bypass the taste buds and gag reflex.

6. I can keep hydrated without a fuss if I�m diligent. Eight to ten glasses of water a day? No prob! I just squirt it through my tube.

7. I have the most unique body piercing ever. Others may have rings, studs, or spikes. I�ve got a piercing that looks like a beach ball valve. Besides, regular piercing is for wimps. I�ve got a piercing as thick as a pencil right through muscle and an organ wall. So I win the toughness contest.

8. If the tube is ever removed, I will have two belly buttons. How adorable is that? Not to mention unique. Marilyn Monroe had six toes, and I�m pretty sure two belly buttons is more rare than that. I�m special. As a kid, I was always distressed that I didn�t have freckles. But I think two belly buttons makes up for that.

9. Carrying the boxes of formula is good exercise, and especially great for the biceps. Tell me you get a calorie-burning workout lifting a hamburger.

10. I am a dog�s best friend. The formula smells like gourmet canned dog food apparently, and dogs sit in an adoring circle waiting for me to throw my cans into the recycling bin so they can dash over and lick off any stray drops. Feels nice to be such a source of happiness.

11. I have the perfect defense against intruders. If any robber stands in my doorway with a pistol, I will aim the end of my tube at him, uncap it, and vent! He will immediately leave and I will be a hero. It�s my superpower.

12. Packing for lunch is incredibly easy. What should you bring for lunch? Can, can, and can. Mission accomplished.

13. When empty, the boxes the cans come in are perfect for sorting files into.

14. Never again will I have to suffer through anyone�s burnt, bland, or bad cooking.

15. No worry about overpriced food at restaurants, airports, or tourist destinations.

16. If I could just attach a squeaker or flashing light to my button, I could entertain little kids for hours.

17. And finally, and seriously, it keeps me alive. Best bonus of all, I would say.

� Christine, aka �Jackrabbit� [/quote]


65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin

Passed away 4-29-13
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 22
Member
Offline
Member

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 22
ASll of those are good thoughts and true thoughts especially the last one, but I do miss cooking. Not every day mind you but sometimes. I am amazed at how much time it use to use up to shop, haul, store. cook and clean up. And since I live alone I have kitchen cabinet space to spare.

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 294
Gold Member (200+ posts)
Offline
Gold Member (200+ posts)

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 294
That list really hits the "nail on the head". In addition to the "two belly buttons" remark, depending on the company I'm around, I sometimes let them think it is a healed gunshot wound.

Bill D.


Dx 4/27/06, SCC, BOT, Stage III/IV, Tx 5/25/06 through 7/12/06 - 33 IMRT and 4 chemo, radical right side neck dissection 9/20/06.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Good find Charm smile I especially found #11 to be very comical. I was picturing squirting my tube at someone and what a reaction they would have. LOL


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 440
Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Offline
Platinum Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 440
Too funny...my favorite is #7!


Dx 3/27/09 @ 28 years old with High Grade MEC T4N2M0
Elizabeth, 33, mother of 3 girls (4,7, &8yrs old)
3 rds of chemo(Carbo/Taxol)
Rt Mandibulectomy, rt fibular flap,& rt ND with trach, picc,& g-tube.
30 rds of rads with weekly cisplatin
SCANS ALL CLEAR!
OCF Regional Coordinator of San Antonio Walk
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,671
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,671
This is just so-o-o-oo funny! I like the belly button one. Reminds me of when I had to substitute drive a school bus for a friend of mine who had to be out for 2 weeks because her 3 yr.old son was having surgery to give him a belly button. Previous surgery had removed it and he was so upset at the loss of his belly button that they had to have a second surgery to construct one for him. I learned how important BB's are and to have two, well that is just awesome!


Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)



Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 453
"OCF Down Under"
Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Offline
"OCF Down Under"
Platinum Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 453
I can so relate to number 9. I remember delivery day, lugging those boxes of 2cal around, trying to find space for them. Then having to pick them up and move them around when we needed another can out of them. Great exercise. This list is great Charm, a real find. Even as a carer I can relate to it in more ways than one.


Wife to Steve 43. DX 5 May 09. T4N2MO SCC tongue, floor of mouth, lymph nodes & jaw bone
No surgery
Teeth removed 06/07/2009
radiation 13/07/2009 x 7wks
chemo 15/07/2009 x 3 Cisplatin
last TX 28/08/2009
25/11/2009 PET-lymph node activity.
08/01/2010 CT Scan-ALL CLEAR
03/03/2010-Peg removed
01/2013 left side of Jaw removed and replaced with pectoral flap.
23/12/2020 scan show lesion in tongue
01/2021 SCC stage 3 base of tongue diagnosed
01/03/2021 chemotherapy started.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 5
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Offline
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 5
How inventive - love it - Charm you are the BEST

Hugs


Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,671
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,671
Charm - your list really had me thinking, especially # 2 and 3. Whenever my kids come over for dinner there is always so much preparation, cooking, etc., I'm pooped out by the time we sit down to eat. And I don't let anyone help clean up afterwards, because I'd rather just relax and visit with them. So I'm thinking next Thanksgiving, maybe I will just buy a a case of Slimfast and hand everybody a straw.


Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)




Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5