Tuesday, May 27, 2008
there's no good title, so ...
Still in the PICU - waiting on getting the G-J tube placed sometime this week.
The G-J tube uses the existing hole in Samuel's stomach from the G-tube, but runs a tube through the stomach and into the small intestine. The idea is that with two sphincters between the food and his esophagus, he is less likely to reflux ... and therefore, less likely to aspirate. If this doesn't curb the issue of chronic micro aspiration (with occasional substantial aspiration) we will then need to go with the Nissen. This is a surgical procedure that wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower part of the esophagus, essentially using the stomach to tighten the esophageal sphincter, thereby keeping the contents of the stomach down.
The negative side to the G-J tube is that we will be unable to bolus feed. In other words, Samuel will basically be on a continuous feed, all the time. We should be able to give him a four hour a day break, but that is assuming that he will be able to handle 24 hours worth of feeds over a 20 hour period. We don't like this option, truthfully. But we dislike it less than the Nissen. This new tube should get placed in the next day or two as the part has to be ordered.
As Samuel is still requiring Oxygen, it is not clear exactly when we might be going home. We would like to think sometime this week, but alas, 'tis not our wishes that matter in these matters.
The G-J tube uses the existing hole in Samuel's stomach from the G-tube, but runs a tube through the stomach and into the small intestine. The idea is that with two sphincters between the food and his esophagus, he is less likely to reflux ... and therefore, less likely to aspirate. If this doesn't curb the issue of chronic micro aspiration (with occasional substantial aspiration) we will then need to go with the Nissen. This is a surgical procedure that wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower part of the esophagus, essentially using the stomach to tighten the esophageal sphincter, thereby keeping the contents of the stomach down.
The negative side to the G-J tube is that we will be unable to bolus feed. In other words, Samuel will basically be on a continuous feed, all the time. We should be able to give him a four hour a day break, but that is assuming that he will be able to handle 24 hours worth of feeds over a 20 hour period. We don't like this option, truthfully. But we dislike it less than the Nissen. This new tube should get placed in the next day or two as the part has to be ordered.
As Samuel is still requiring Oxygen, it is not clear exactly when we might be going home. We would like to think sometime this week, but alas, 'tis not our wishes that matter in these matters.
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2 comments:
Samuel, indeed you are a child of the King! And you show us something of the goodness of the King. He has you in his hands and has placed you in the care of an amazing family. They know that you are a unique and profound gift from God. And some like myself are watching from a distance and see the wonder of what God is doing in and through your family in these days of pain and sadness. I pray that your pain is bearable and that you and your family will be comforted and strengthened by the King of all comfort and strength. He is majestic and he has made you to be like him. Praise him Samuel. I praise him with you.
thanks so much for keeping the blog updated. it's so good to know what to pray for on behalf of little samuel and your whole family. much love and prayers.
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