Angelia, ask your doc for a feeding pump. Its covered by most insurance companies. Even with having a peg tube, keep eating and drinking by mouth as long as you can. Towards the end of radiation it may difficult but drink anyway.

My instructions are similar to Brian's. Since my rate is only set at 100, I use my feeding pump starting about 4pm. I use 3 can + 1 can water. I watch tv and when Im ready for bed I add 2 more cans. For you, your speed would be much faster than mine as I have a different type of peg tube. You could probably fill your bag with 3 more cans when you go to bed. Done forget to fluch your peg tube a few times per day.

Best of luck with your treatments.

Thanks guys.
Another questions baout sickness, When I wake up in the morning I notiuce it hard to breath and I have to cuagh alot to get things out. I can hear me gurgle or something like that when I breath. I after I cough really hard it is out. Shoulg I ask the nurse about it? This has been going on for about a week. SO far I have had no nausea from the Chemo. YEAH!!!! I will take what I can get.

Brian

And here I thought I was the only one who could not stomach the bolus feedings with the syringe. I can force it down when I have to (when I take my wife out to a restaurant) but otherwise I have been resigned to the drip of the gravity bag. I will have to try putting more cans in as currently I just do one at a time spaced out over six feedings which really circumscribes my daily activities. I learn something here every day.
Charm

Where do you ge the bags and how do you use them? I feel so lostin all this. All I have been given so far are syringes and the Jevity. Can't get a nutritionist for anything. It is so frusterating.

John's Radiation Oncologist's nurse took care of ordering all supplies for the PEG. Good thing we have a spare bedroom. We received the pump, printed out instructions, as well as a dvd explaining how to put it together and boxes of bags, syringes, tape, gauze pads, cans of "food" etc. Are you being treated at a Cancer Center?

Yes, I am being treated at a cancer center.

I'm glad you have so many here who can answer your questions and give great advice. I can't do that, but I'm sure sending positive vibes your way. Hang in there - one day at a time!!! Take care.

Nancy T

Hi Angelia....I'm happy to hear you aren't not feeling sick..that is great news. Does your doctor know the problems you are having with the PEG? I know everyone here has invaluable information and proably know more that some docs..but..you still need someone to go over this with you in person and show you what you to do. How are you supposed to know what to do? Keep us posted...

I talked with sister-in-law today who deals with PEGS all the time. She said what I had going on was normal. I said okay. She did say to keep watching it and keep cleaning it so it does not get infected.

Angelia,

You can probably contact the same company that delivered your supplement to get the supplies you need. Usually, once they have the orders for enteral feedings, they can contact your insurance company to get the precertification needed to get the bags and tube hookups (or pump) you need for the slow feedings. Then your SIL can show you how to use them.

I fed Bill 6 cans per day along with water, etc. but he had to lie still after each feeding to keep from getting lightheaded/nauseated and sweaty. In hind site, the gravity bags or pump would probably have negated some of those issues.

Please look for the invoice that came with your cans and see if there is a contact number. Call...I am sure there is someone handling that account that can be a big help in getting you what you need. They have case managers that do this sort of thing.

Deb