Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[clay]

Originally Posted by Wrang1er

Update:

We spent over 12 hours in the emergency department yesterday. The doctor on duty didn't feel like my mother qualified to be admitted. The x-rays showed the tube was still in it's proper place. I attempted more than once to explain everything that was going on with her. He discharged her twice. Each time the nurses tried to get her up stomach fluids would flow out of the hole. So much so, that it puddled on the floor. How in the hell was I going to be able to take her home? She was in immense pain. She had not ate anything other than a pudding cup and applesauce for days. Nor had she gotten any sleep. He suggested I put her into a nursing home.

Thankfully, the charge nurse made the ultimate decision to keep her. I can't tell you how relieved I was.

It sucks that some doctors don't take the time to stop and listen. Or just want to move on to the next patient. I realize the emergency department is usually slammed but my mom is still a human being who is obviously suffering greatly. I will be communicating this to the higher ups.

I am getting ready to go back over. I'll fill everyone in once I find out what's going on.

Thanks for all the support. It's nice to have all of you and the planet to be able to vent and share with.

Thanks to you all.

~W

(((((((((((((((((((((Wrang))))))))))))))). I am happy to hear they did keep her. Thank the Universe for NURSES! They are the ones who actually spend the most time with a patient!

Though "empty" the stomach still produces gastric acids, and quite possibly her stoma (site where tube is in) may be "stretched" thus allowing for that leakage. May be suggest a larger size feeding tube? Just my thoughts on that, having dealt with these sorts of issues in past. Does she have a stomal dressing to help stabilize that feeding tube? Just some ideas to mull over with the nurses?! Sends you big hugs & more for your mom!!

[Wrang1er]

Originally Posted by clay

(((((((((((((((((((((Wrang))))))))))))))). I am happy to hear they did keep her. Thank the Universe for NURSES! They are the ones who actually spend the most time with a patient!

Though "empty" the stomach still produces gastric acids, and quite possibly her stoma (site where tube is in) may be "stretched" thus allowing for that leakage. May be suggest a larger size feeding tube? Just my thoughts on that, having dealt with these sorts of issues in past. Does she have a stomal dressing to help stabilize that feeding tube? Just some ideas to mull over with the nurses?! Sends you big hugs & more for your mom!!

I agree wholeheartedly about the nurses!

They are taking that PEG tube out tomorrow. I think you are right, Clay, regarding the stoma. You can see that it's much wider than the tube. I believe from all the pressure put on it from vomiting.

She now has an NGtube which is sucking all that nastiness out of her. She's experiencing pain but she's getting Dilaudid through her IV every four hours. She's also getting fluids. No food or drink though.

I had to laugh earlier. She asked the nurse for ice. The nurse complied but with instructions that she can only have a little.

I left the room and when I came back she was still eating ice. I told her she's only allowed a few pieces. She replied that she knew but she was addicted to it. She's a little out of it.

[clay]

Originally Posted by Wrang1er

I agree wholeheartedly about the nurses!

They are taking that PEG tube out tomorrow. I think you are right, Clay, regarding the stoma. You can see that it's much wider than the tube. I believe from all the pressure put on it from vomiting.

She now has an NGtube which is sucking all that nastiness out of her. She's experiencing pain but she's getting Dilaudid through her IV every four hours. She's also getting fluids. No food or drink though.

I had to laugh earlier. She asked the nurse for ice. The nurse complied but with instructions that she can only have a little.

I left the room and when I came back she was still eating ice. I told her she's only allowed a few pieces. She replied that she knew but she was addicted to it. She's a little out of it.

Hey Wrang! Good on getting j-peg out. I have to tell you, I had an NG tube for 5 weeks back in December when I got so sick & was in hospital for 50 days, had surgery, too. They put a PICC line in my arm, into my superior vena cava to give me TPN (total parenteral nutrition)...a specially mixed bag of lipids(fats), nutrients, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, etc, that I had for 2 weeks.

As far as her eating the ice chips..no worries as the NG will just suck it right back out...lol. BUT the chips will stimulate more gastric acids...

I, too, got Dilaudid IV for most all 50 days....whoohoo. It would make me so loopy, within seconds. The nurses got so much laughter once I was "drugged". LOL.

Otherwise, at least she has pain under control Has NG to empty tummy and got ice chips, so all is good, yes....at least control over some of her problems....hugs buddy!

[easygoingfemme]

Originally Posted by Wrang1er

I agree wholeheartedly about the nurses!

They are taking that PEG tube out tomorrow. I think you are right, Clay, regarding the stoma. You can see that it's much wider than the tube. I believe from all the pressure put on it from vomiting.

She now has an NGtube which is sucking all that nastiness out of her. She's experiencing pain but she's getting Dilaudid through her IV every four hours. She's also getting fluids. No food or drink though.

I had to laugh earlier. She asked the nurse for ice. The nurse complied but with instructions that she can only have a little.

I left the room and when I came back she was still eating ice. I told her she's only allowed a few pieces. She replied that she knew but she was addicted to it. She's a little out of it.

Really good update! Unbelievable how you had to fight to get her admitted to get to this place. I'm really glad they are taking good care of your mom now.

[Wrang1er]

I am not going to go into a lot of detail tonight because I am spent. They couldn't take the tube out due to complications. They called in a surgeon to ask his opinion. He said it's time for palliative care.

I will talk to her oncologist tomorrow. If he says the same I am going to get a second opinion.

I don't want to give up yet. I feel they have. Maybe I am fooling myself or being selfish. I just want to know for sure.

~W