Oh Gee - it's a GTube

After a successful scope and pH Study, we were off an running to get the Gtube installed and get that darn tube out of his nose. The Gtube is hopefully a short - moderate term solution to Cole's lack of interest in sucking down a full bottle. (On a related note, I've smelled the formula and I can tell you I don't blame him too much) The surgery went great. The only problem the doctors ran into was getting the IV installed. Cole's got lousy veins (hopefully he'll grown out of that). He came out of the procedure fairly quickly once they figured out they would have to install the IV in a central line in his neck (yikes!!) and all of his hands and feet showed little needle marks where they tried to get those to work. 

After being in our hospital room for about 7 hours and still under pain meds they tried to discharge us but we got them to reconsider and keep us until he was more awake / alert and not on as much pain meds. 

By the next morning (Sun) everyone was doing much better. Shawn and I received training on general care, maintenance, and installing the tube while Cole hung out and enjoyed a little TV. The Gtube, which looks and is also called a button, has been so much better for us all. And how many kids do you know who have two, count them, two (2) belly buttons! 

     

All Pink and Beautiful

Cole's always been good at spitting up, real good. He can dribble out a few drops, dump 1/3 of his bottle in your lap or just as easily shoot his breakfast across the bow. The doctors believed he had reflux and have been treating us accordingly (medicine mostly). We scheduled a pH Study to determine how severe his reflux was. We were scheduled to check in for a overnight stay late in the afternoon on Thu. 

That morning Shawn woke up to change and feed him at 4:00 am and Cole spit up a bit, not too unusual. But he noticed some dried blood in the spit up - unusual. He spit up several more times each time the amount of blood increasing. They had, in preparation for his visit and tests had us discontinue all meds - so we thought this might be contributing to the blood - but it was enough to take him to KidsCare. They were concerned and wanted us to get additional work done right away. So as usual, they sent us down to Primary Children's hospital - our home away from home. We spent 8 hours in the ER waiting to be tested - our original check in time came and went. They took us back to our room in the ER and then we waited some more - until a room was ready for us upstairs. The next morning, Cole went in for a scope. 

The results were beautiful - shiny and pink. All of the concerns that his reflux was damaging his throat and stomach were put to rest. They decided to still have the pH Study and we went back upstairs to begin. The idea is they stick another tube down his remaining nostril (I guess it's a good think he only has two, who knows what they'd put down the it). 

     

This one, unlike his feeding tube only goes to his esophagus rather than all the way to his stomach. They know the level of acidity there is around 4. So the probe, which is hooked up to a recording device tracks the level over a 24 hour period - while he's awake, while he's sitting up, lying down, eating, crying, etc. The nurses also record on a paper log the levels every 30 min as a supplemental report. The whole experience made for a long weekend for everyone. But the good news is - very few episodes where the level was above 5.5 (high (e.g., 7) is bad, moderate (e.g., 4) is normal, and low (e.g., 2) is good). 

The other reason to check his insides was driving whether we would perform what's called a Nissan procedure where they wrap the bottom of his esophagus around the top of his stomach which would prevent him from throwing up. But with the levels generally low to moderate except for a few instances, they've decided to wait and see - which we're happy for. 

Freedom - if only for an hour

  We have to change out Cole's feeding tube about once every three to four weeks, unless he pulls it out which may speed up the changing time. Last night was the night and so for a few brief moments - 60 to be exact we were sans the tube - hurray  - for everyone. 

                 It's great for getting the necessary medicine into Cole and finishing up whatever he won't take by bottle, which is about 2/3 to 1/2 of what he's supposed to take. It's a lifesaver since it's helped to put a pound on him in just over a week's time. But it also is rough on the nose (inside and out) and the throat and it aggravates him to the point where sometimes he'll just give back some of the food we've given him - at a pretty fair rate of speed. 

But for one hour we were enjoying clear breathing and swallowing and life couldn't taste or smell much sweeter. Stand by for the up coming posts later this month where we're back in the hospital for a G-Tube install and no more NG Tube. 

                                 He's not particularly excited at the prospect on reinserting the tube as you can see. He's got the pouting lip down!

My entry into Manhood - My First Visit to Home Depot

  Over the last few years as we've worked on our basement, we've spent hours, days, and weeks on end at Home Depot. As we're staring another new project (painting and carpeting Cole and Mom and Dad's room), it seemed fitting that we introduce Cole to the mecca of home improvement projects and home improvement headaches. Dad's so proud and doesn't seem to notice that Cole is less than enthusiastic.