
So it happened, Grace's g-tube got pulled out when our puppy got tangled in her line.
So I thought I write about the experience for future reference of those that follow.
The reason she had to go to the hospital was because her stoma is new and they wanted to make sure "things looked right".
However, once the stoma is healed, the button change will happen at home.
Her whole tube was pulled out. So after the:awe: and:runaway: I called the Surgeon's office.
I talked to a wonderful nurse on the phone, who told me to
1 get her emergency kit out.
2 open the lubricant
3 open the Foley catheter
4 Fill syringe with water to fill balloon
5 have her lie on a flat surface
6 lubricate the end of the catheter
7 gently slide catheter into the stoma and into the stomach,
make sure balloon is fully inserted into stomach
8 when inserted, fill balloon with appropriate amount of sterile water using the valve on the on the catheter.
9 check to see if stomach content is coming out. If not make sure the balloon is in the stomach.
After this was done the nurse said hold tight and let's see if you local hospital can put in the g-tube.
Thankfully the local hospital could.
Within a few hours Grace was in the operating room. I was able to attend.
The surgeon used a live x-ray to place the button. Grace was awake and had no sedation.
We were told they could sedate but since Grace let me do the Foley catheter I knew she could handle it.
The whole thing was 10 minutes or under.
We got to head home right away and Grace is doing good with the new tube.
We now will have an extra button on hand when emergence happens or it's time to change the button, which is every three months.
Please remember.............................................................
Stay calm
The stoma and hole in the stomach close up once the g-tube is pull. Nothing is going to leak out!!!!
If you haven't been taught to change the button OR your uncomfortable doing the change, PLEASE CALL THE SURGEON'S OFFICE FOR HELP.
Have the child lie flat and IF they can suck in their belly a bit that would help.
Make sure that you can get the stomach contents out through the g-tube before putting liquids through.