 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Steve, I understand where you are coming from. In my opinion if you cant take in 2500 calories every single day for at least 2 months without using the tube then you are not ready to be without it. This is what my doc explained to me, that if I can do it for 2 months then I dont need it. I maintain a feeding tube for exactly what you just explained. Even with the tube I struggle to take in enough. Ive had issues with dehydration and malnutrition off and on for the past 5 years and that was with having a feeding tube. I dont know where I would be without one. Every single day even with the tube I must pay close attention to what I take in. You are smart to realize your limitations and opt to go with the tube until you can better manage your intake. Sorry, with so many members unless its in your signature I can sometimes forget peoples histories.
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  | 
