#58599 06-26-2006 01:10 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Gulia,
The "through the mouth" part is probably the airway to make sure he maintaines his breathing during the surgery and the doctors don't want to risk losing him on the operating table.
You didn't mention if your father had a mediport or PICC line. I was on TPN feedings for multiple months because I even vomitted from anything in the PEG tube. They waited until I was down to 135 before they started the TPN (from 216). They can actually boost the calories to anything they want based on doctor's orders. I was something like 2,500 calories.
Find another doctor to at least give you peace of mind.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | |
#58600 06-26-2006 05:05 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 | There are various techniques for doing this procedure. An upper endoscope when you are under is a minor thing, and since it is inserted when you are under (so you don't gag on it all) would not be noticed by many. A bright light transilluminates right through all the tissues and allows the GI doc to position it in exactly the right insertion spot in the stomach (He can see where he is on a video), and then from the outside the incision is dead on. No peg too low or high in the stomach which causes problems. I suspect that some doctors have done so many of these they could do it in the dark with a blindfold on, hence the various different experiences.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | |
#58601 06-27-2006 04:41 PM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 23 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 23 | Hi all,
Thanks for the replies. My father is being treated at Kaiser in Redwood City, ca. Things have gone from bad to worse since my last post. Dad was sent home yesterday because his vitals were "normal". He has had horrible uncontrollable diarea for 2 days now. Blood in his stool and hemroids. He is drinking nutrin 2.0 500 calories each can and they requested him to drink 4 per day. As well as water. He also has thrush in his mouth. My sister came yesterday from Santa Rosa to take him to live with her. A nurse came out to the house today to check on him and will be back on Friday. He's forcing the Nutrin down but it's very hard for him. I just can't believe they sent him home in this condition for us to handle. I too requested a peg to be put in at the very start of this journey. The surgeon looked at me like I was stupid or something. He said it would be dealt with if needed. We have been suffering with him every day and the radiologist at Sequoia hospital Redwood City also seemed to ignore our concerns. Everybody acts like all of this is normal procedure and "what's the big deal" attitude. I am over the top upset and am filing a complaint at Kaiser but the bottom line is my dad. We are going to get a second opinion. If anyone of you know a good Dr. to reccomend please let me know.
Thanks | | |
#58602 06-27-2006 05:22 PM | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 20 Member | | Member
Joined: May 2006 Posts: 20 | Gulia.
I know this might be kind of far from you but I will give you info. anyway.
I went to the Mount Diablo/John Muir network and cancer center in Concord, CA. I know Kaiser uses this facility as well as Pacificare. The facility is really top notch. My doctors also talk and consult with the doctors from Stanford. My oncologist has been great- Dr. C. and I love my ENT... Dr. F. at John Muir. I have been soo happy with the care they have given me.
My oncologist told me about the peg right away as well as my nutritionist who is a big advocate.
I didn't need it so I opted out. But anyway, I hope this helps.
I am sorry to hear about your Kaiser experience. Unfortunately, it is not the first time I heard something negative about Kaiser.
Female, 36 yrs. old. Stage 1 tongue cancer; no lymph nodes; surgery & radiation
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,248 Posts197,133 Members13,320 | | Most Online1,788
Jan 23rd, 2025 | | |
|
