Feeding Tube Advice Needed

Hello again,

My father who was diagnosed with stage iv esophageal cancer with mets to the liver March 12th just had a feeding tube put in today.  The doctor wants to prevent him from losing anymore weight before he begins chemo next Monday.  Does anyone have any suggestions or advice on what works the best with the feeding tube, we meet with the nutritionist tomorrow and I want to be ready with any and all questions I should ask.  Also, does anyone know if insurance (Medicare) pays for the Ensure or whatever you use with the feeding tube.

Any advice or suggestions are really appreciated.

Despite this being such a shock and nightmare reading everyone's positive support and encouragement on this board has brought about a sense of calmness (if even for the moment) that I can never thank you all for.  Everynight when I pray that my father will find the strength to tame the Beast I include a prayer for you all as well.  The suffering from this monster is unbearable.....

Tracy

 

We used a few different products for the feeding tube depending on his nutritional needs. They have varying amounts of protein, etc. in the different formulas. They will prescribe the correct formula for him, and in our case it was delivered by a medical supply company and was covered by Blue Cross. All you should have to concern yourself with is how to use the pump (we started bolus which is just pouring it in the tube, and it was too much too fast so he would vomit it back up). The pump can be set to feed it into the tube at a slower steady rate (we used ours overnight while he slept to supplement food intake. They will also teach you how to flush the tube to keep it clean and running smoothly (soda water works well if clogged). If they do not prescribe pump and you have problems, ask about it.  We got going over Christmas holidays so I dont know if the lack of pump to start was an oversight (they didn't deliver our food for days either, till I read VNA the riot act). The nutritionist who worked with the gastroenterologist who diagnosed Pat and did his tube didn't want to be bothered with us because she was too busy with her Christmas plans to care about the guy with EC. She kept trying to push us off on the radiation doctors nutritionist, who also was no help. It was an awful start. Hope this helps.

My father underwent a Transhiatal Esophagectomy Feb. 14.  He has had the J-Tube since that day.  When dad came home from the hospital he was taking in 5 cans of Nestles Nutrent.  Each can is 250 calories.  I have to hook him up when he goes to bed at night.  During the day he is on a soft diet with six mini meals a day.  A lot of high calorie nutrition drinks and soft diet meals we prepare.  Medicare has paid for the Kangaroo pump, the nutrent and the supplies needed.  Dad's doctor has had me weigh dad at the end of each week.  If he gains weight or maintains his weight I reduce the number of cans at night by 1.  After 27 days since his surgery dad is at 2 cans of Nestle each night.  I also have to change the dressing around the J-Tube twice daily, that is not a big deal.  Dad had had no pain from the J-Tube.  Without it dad would not be doing as well as he is.  I hope this helps.  You and your family are in our prayers.

Steve M

Hi, i have had my pegtube for a year now and what i found out was to start light with your boost etc.and put fresh fruit ,vegg. In .keeping it a nice smooth liqiud i found that changing the color helped me to get through the beginning .medicade will not pay for food.Good luck get a good blender