Had quite a scare with Jim - he's been spitting up blood & tissue (about a tablespoon an hr.). His oncologist said there wasn't anything that could be done since he cannot be radiated in that area again and no chemo. Went to radiation Dr. and he ordered a CT scan. Seems like there's a tumor on his trachea and that's what's causing the bleeding. Report reads "tracheal involvement with neoplasm along the left lateral and postero-lateral trachea and may account for the patients slow hemoptysis". Now what does that mean in laymen's terms??? So next steps - go to a pulmonologist to see if he can do a day surgery procedure and hit it with a laser beam....I think they need to name cancer "The Neverending Story"....changed sheets last nite (3) times as he is sweating profusely and drenching the bed. This is becoming more of the norm than ever! My washing machine cringes when I walk up to it....seems to be saying "ENOUGH ALREADY"!!!

I dont have any knowledge of what those technical terms mean. I just wanted to say you both are in my thoughts and prayers.

My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Didn't the radiation dr. suggest anything that could be done? Maybe go back to him and ask him to explain that mumbo-jumbo to you and what steps can you take now for some relief for Jim. Who mentioned a pulmonologist and laser surgery? I hope you can find a solution soon.
julieann

My heart goes out to you. I have no idea what any of the medical jargon means, but you are in my thoughts and prayers. I also have the night sweats all the time, and no one seems to know why. In that area I know that it is very annoying. I can't even sleep three hours straight without having to get up and change clothes and place towle on the bed because it is so bad.

The radiation Dr. is sending him to a pulmonologist....I looked up all the terms...it simply means he has a tumor on his tracheo which is likely causing him to spit up the blood....why don't they just say that on the reports. According to the Dr. the sweats are caused by cancer...so we both get a laugh out of it to see who is going to wake up first...him from sweating from the cancer or me from sweating from hot flashes!!! My washing machine really got a work out this weekend!

You and Jim are in my thoughts and prayers.

The pulmonologist Dr. appt. didn't go well, but I don't think any of them are going to go good since coming home from the hospital. A tumor has broken thru his trachea & that's where the blood is coming from; there's another tumor in the lung that wasn't there 7 days ago. Dr. asked Jim's permission to "speak frankly with your wife"....it wasn't pretty what he told me, but I was grateful as at least I know what "may" happen or "may not". We took the "Beast" (Challenger) on a drive thru Arkansas and Oklahoma this weekend; just to get away. I am living in a fog and suffering from what I call "anticipatory grief". Jim & I are confused about PEG tubes...I thought there was only one kind that went thru the stomach...are there other types out there? If so, can someone explain it to me. I stopped asking questions at the Dr., it just got too much and I don't want to call them over such silliness (should have asked at the appt.)...things just a little overwhelming...

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Again, I cannot thank the care givers on this forum enough for helping us. You do not have an easy row to hoe. Take Care

My thoughts and prayers are with you too....Treasure every moment you have with each other.

Hugs to you both,

Shelley

I'm so-o-o sorry for what you and your husband are having to go through and am adding my prayers to the others' here. I hope that you and Jim can find some peaceful moments to share and the strength to cope in the days ahead. I don't know about the different types of PEG tubes but someone else will probably have a more experienced idea on this. Please keep us posted whenever you can.

Bless you. Have thought about you so often and am sorry that you are having to experience this. We are here for you, and when you need strength, please call on us.

Dodie

Paula, Im so sorry you are struggling with everything right now.

Yes there are several different types of feeding tubes. When someone needs a feeding tube they normally get the PEG tube. It is a basic tube which goes right into the stomach. I had this type for 1 1/2 years and it worked great. Then there is a tube called the J tube. That one goes into the intestine (or bowel) right past the stomach.

The third type is the J/G tube. This is the type I currently have. Its the best of both worlds. It was necessary to have this type due to my original PEG tube being dislodged and somehow attached itself to the abdomin wall. Last year, I was in agony and suffered for several days before I was taken seriously and an Xray and MRI were done which found the problem. It is very rare for anyone to have that type of issue with a regular PEG tube. The J/G tube has 3 ports on the top, one for needles, one for the stomach and the third one which is the largest goes into the intestine. The intestine port is where I attach the feeding bag to for my tube feedings.

The J/G tube wears out quickly and needs to be replaced every 2 to 3 months. It seems to be a very easy procedure where the doc does his surgery using moniters that show my insides like xrays. They rub lidocain on my stomach to numb it and start to finish is usually only about 15 minutes. What makes this type of tube the best for me is that it comes with a white bag which can be attached to the stomach port of my tube. When Im nasauous and feel like I will throw up, I attach the white bag and it sucks out all the gunk out of my stomach. It pulls the bad stuff out quickly and I instantly feel better. It saves me from throwing up and within 30 seconds I feel like the whole thing never happened. Another big thing is with this type of tube you cant pull back on the syringe to check for stomach residual. That act would collapse the balloon and could pull the tube out of the stitches causing a huge problem. Not every nurse knows this about the J/G tube since its not that common to have this type.

Of course there is also the nasal tube. Im not familiar with that kind. I think Davidcpa used this type for a short time when he went thru chemo/rads. He may be able to tell you more about that one.

Im sure there are other types of tubes but I only know of these 4 types. I hope this helps.

Thanks Christine! This helps so much. I think the Dr. must have been wanting to do the one thru his nose because he indicated that if he didn't do it soon enough, the trachea will close and he won't be able to access it to get the tube in....so maybe stomach would be the best option, if he decides to do it. We'll see and I'll keep my OCF family informed.

BTW, today is our 4th anniversary....Red Lobster here we come....he'll eat 2 shrimp lose 10 lbs, I'll eat 8 shrimp and gain 80 lbs...NOT FAIR!!

Hugs to All!
Paula

Paula, Happy Anniversary!!!!! If you are fortunate enough to be able to eat, I say go for it!!!! Hope you have a great time

Glad I was able to help with the tube info. Another thing, the 3 types of feeding tubes that go into the stomach are put in by surgery. Maybe the doc felt that he would not be able to have a breathing tube put down his throat for an operation. If thats the case, they can always do nasal intubation which is how I have to be done. The anithesiaologist (sorry Im a really bad speller) normally does not like to put people under with the nasal intubation. I would ask the doc for clarifying info.

Your post made my day. Its so nice that you are getting to celebrate your anniversary by going out for dinner. Small things like that are things that most people take for granted. I know its a very special thing for you both. Enjoy!!!!!

Happy, happy, happy Anniversary, Paula to you and Jim!! Enjoy your dinner out to Red Lobster! Don't worry about the calories - they take them out for special people like you. And ChristineB, you are one absolutely awesome lady! You always make my day!

Happy anniversary to you and Jim. MMMMMM I love red lobster. Hope you enjoy.