My dear friend Jim.....what the heck am I going to do with you? We talked about your tube a couple months ago when it first happened. Get it fixed!!!! No more putting it off. That is probably why you are losing more weight, the formula isnt all going into your stomach.

If you can swallow, start drinking at least 3 of those Boost VHC every single day. You know you can always add a can (now they are in a box like a juicebox) to your tube feed bag. Also add some water to thin it down a little. You MUST up those daily calories and gain back that weight. It sounds to me like it wouldnt hurt you to gain a few pounds too.

I think you need someone to help take care of you. DO you have any family close by that can give you a hand with some things. I know you are very independent and do everything yourself. You are probably out doing the yard work and working on a garden too. Try to slow it down a little and take it easy. Let some people help you once in a while.

Next week cant come fast enough for you to finally get that tube fixed. If they dont knock you out to fix the tube then tell them you need lidocaine to numb it. Tell them you want both the lidocaine jelly and the the shot too. I get my J/G tube changed every other month (I really hate having it changed more than I can put into words) so Im a pro at getting it swapped for a new one. But my tube isnt like the regular PEG tube, mine goes into both the stomach and also the large intestine. I do mine thru out patient surgery, Im awake for the whole procedure which sometimes can be a bit uncomfortable. Im not sure how a PEG tube is swapped out, but it may be similar. I wish you all the best next week, good luck!!!