Removal Of Feeding Tube

My dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April 2007.  He went through an esophectomy and several heart attacks.  He is in a nursing home, and in no pain at the moment.    Last night his feeding tube became clogged and the nursing home staff broke the tube while trying to unclogg it.

 We are now faced with either replacing the tube (the procedure has to be done at Hershey Medical Center 1 1/2 hours away) and he could live for another two months or not replacing the tube and he may have two weeks left. He can be disoriented but is in the present most of the time.

 Has anyone ever had to make a decision like this?  It is up to me and my two sisters.  I would like to discuss this with my dad.  He does have a living will.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you, Kathy

On 2/25/2008 Lucy07 wrote:

My dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April 2007.  He went through an esophectomy and several heart attacks.  He is in a nursing home, and in no pain at the moment.    Last night his feeding tube became clogged and the nursing home staff broke the tube while trying to unclogg it.

 We are now faced with either replacing the tube (the procedure has to be done at Hershey Medical Center 1 1/2 hours away) and he could live for another two months or not replacing the tube and he may have two weeks left. He can be disoriented but is in the present most of the time.

 Has anyone ever had to make a decision like this?  It is up to me and my two sisters.  I would like to discuss this with my dad.  He does have a living will.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you, Kathy

Kathy,

This is one of the hardest decisions you and your sisters will ever have to make and I feel deeply for you.  I believe that if your Dad is lucid then he should make the decision and if not then follow his written wishes as near as possible. ( For whatever my advice is worth.)

Just for your information I am surviving EC and had my Esophagus removed nine months ago and am completely dependant on a feeding tube for food and water.  I've had to have my tube replaced two months ago.  There is no pain what so ever and no medication is required for the procedure.  It takes only a few minutes, (I didn't even realize it was started untill it was all over).  The reason for the medical facility is that the Dr. inserting the new tube watches it on an xray machine while it is going in.

Praying for you and your family,

Jimmie

My husband was unable to eat for over 4 weeks and resisted the feeding tube.  He was vomitting constantly though he had nothing in his stomach. He was very agitated and distressed because he had nothing in his stomach and truly felt like he was starving.  If putting the tube back in provides your Dad some comfort and increases his quality of life I would do it.