| | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 135 Senior Member (100+ posts) |  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2010 Posts: 135 | Bless you. Have thought about you so often and am sorry that you are having to experience this. We are here for you, and when you need strength, please call on us.
Dodie
Aunt diag. 2/4/10 with SCC Stage I/II on left side of tongue. Surgery 2/19/10 part. gloss./neck diss. on left side/free flap from chest muscle. TI/II,NO,MO. Clear margins with perineural invasion. Started rads 4/8/10 - 35 treatments, finished 5/26/10.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Paula, Im so sorry you are struggling with everything right now.
Yes there are several different types of feeding tubes. When someone needs a feeding tube they normally get the PEG tube. It is a basic tube which goes right into the stomach. I had this type for 1 1/2 years and it worked great. Then there is a tube called the J tube. That one goes into the intestine (or bowel) right past the stomach.
The third type is the J/G tube. This is the type I currently have. Its the best of both worlds. It was necessary to have this type due to my original PEG tube being dislodged and somehow attached itself to the abdomin wall. Last year, I was in agony and suffered for several days before I was taken seriously and an Xray and MRI were done which found the problem. It is very rare for anyone to have that type of issue with a regular PEG tube. The J/G tube has 3 ports on the top, one for needles, one for the stomach and the third one which is the largest goes into the intestine. The intestine port is where I attach the feeding bag to for my tube feedings.
The J/G tube wears out quickly and needs to be replaced every 2 to 3 months. It seems to be a very easy procedure where the doc does his surgery using moniters that show my insides like xrays. They rub lidocain on my stomach to numb it and start to finish is usually only about 15 minutes. What makes this type of tube the best for me is that it comes with a white bag which can be attached to the stomach port of my tube. When Im nasauous and feel like I will throw up, I attach the white bag and it sucks out all the gunk out of my stomach. It pulls the bad stuff out quickly and I instantly feel better. It saves me from throwing up and within 30 seconds I feel like the whole thing never happened. Another big thing is with this type of tube you cant pull back on the syringe to check for stomach residual. That act would collapse the balloon and could pull the tube out of the stitches causing a huge problem. Not every nurse knows this about the J/G tube since its not that common to have this type.
Of course there is also the nasal tube. Im not familiar with that kind. I think Davidcpa used this type for a short time when he went thru chemo/rads. He may be able to tell you more about that one.
Im sure there are other types of tubes but I only know of these 4 types. I hope this helps.
ChristineSCC 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  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 147 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 147 | Thanks Christine! This helps so much. I think the Dr. must have been wanting to do the one thru his nose because he indicated that if he didn't do it soon enough, the trachea will close and he won't be able to access it to get the tube in....so maybe stomach would be the best option, if he decides to do it. We'll see and I'll keep my OCF family informed.
BTW, today is our 4th anniversary....Red Lobster here we come....he'll eat 2 shrimp lose 10 lbs, I'll eat 8 shrimp and gain 80 lbs...NOT FAIR!!
Hugs to All!
Paula
Caregiver to Husband 50 yrs.young-non smoker/non-drinker; Stage IV - all treatments stopped August 2009
Lost the battle November 23, 2010
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Paula, Happy Anniversary!!!!! If you are fortunate enough to be able to eat, I say go for it!!!! Hope you have a great time Glad I was able to help with the tube info. Another thing, the 3 types of feeding tubes that go into the stomach are put in by surgery. Maybe the doc felt that he would not be able to have a breathing tube put down his throat for an operation. If thats the case, they can always do nasal intubation which is how I have to be done. The anithesiaologist (sorry Im a really bad speller) normally does not like to put people under with the nasal intubation. I would ask the doc for clarifying info. Your post made my day. Its so nice that you are getting to celebrate your anniversary by going out for dinner. Small things like that are things that most people take for granted. I know its a very special thing for you both. Enjoy!!!!!
ChristineSCC 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 | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Happy, happy, happy Anniversary, Paula to you and Jim!! Enjoy your dinner out to Red Lobster! Don't worry about the calories - they take them out for special people like you. And ChristineB, you are one absolutely awesome lady! You always make my day!
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: Apr 2010 Posts: 201 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 201 | Happy anniversary to you and Jim. MMMMMM I love red lobster. Hope you enjoy.
CG to Sister (42). Smoker quit @ diagnosis Dx 4/20/10 SCC T2N0M0, Rside of tongue Hemigloss R neck dis, all nodes removed 6/2/10, Trach and NG in, home 6/8/10,8/18/2010 start erbitux x6, 30 IMRT end 10/11/10 with only 3x erbitux due to reaction and one week off of rads
1/10/2011 Clear PET!!!
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