Is your child dealing with a tubie for food this Thanksgiving? You can feel disconnected when everyone around you is eating yet it’s not safe or comfortable for you to eat.
The run down on tubies…
Gtube goes directly into your stomach
Jtube goes directly into the small intestine
There are variations such as an NGtube that goes through your nose down into your stomach. NJtube is where the tube is threaded all the way down to the small intestine from the nose.
GJtube is when a tube is threaded through your Gtube down into the small intestine.
Then comes other options like a PICC line a semi-permanent IV line usually in the upper arm/chest area.
Then there are a variety of central line/ ports that are usually put in the upper chest.
The PICC and Central line are both direct access to your veins where you put medications, fluids, and liquid nutrition directly into your system completely bypassing the digestion.
I have been using an alternative form of nutrition for 5 years now. I find that it’s much for fun for the whole family if I draw on the bag of nutrition!
Holiday meal fun when you can’t eat! – Here you can see exactly how I draw pictures on my feeding tube/tpn bags.
Why I Quit Eating – A bit more insight how I ended up not being able to eat.
Thanksgiving can be a great day of family togetherness. Don’t let the meal become a stumbling block to you and your child’s wonderful day.
For those outside the home don’t NOT invite or ignore a part of your family or friends to your home because of a feeding tube or central line. If you are scared then call and ask what you need to do or prepare.
I hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving! I know I will even without a single bite of food.
