 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | There are several types of tubes. Most members have the regular PEG type tube. A very few get the Mickey button which is able to have the patients change it after instructions. My type of tube the J/G kind never would be able to be changed by a patient.
For safety reasons it was necessary to clarify that this type of maintenance should only be due with the guidance of a physician. I would not want to read of someone getting hurt by attempting to get curious and remove their tube to see if it would go back in.
From what Charm has written (he and his wife are unfortunately an expert patient/caregiver team with this kind of thing) its a very simple procedure. Im sure you will do fine! Glad its not something that needs to be done as often as what I have to go thru. At my next appointment I am going to inquire about switching since I see how much easier it is with the Mickey button.
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  | 
