Why Do I Need A Stomach Feeding Tube
First, I get diagnosed with stomach cancer and then I get told you need a stomach feeding tube. Yes, overwhelming but I quickly learn the feeding tube in stomach helps me through my cancer healing. I thought, the queen of eating gets a feeding tube? I took a deep breath and said, “I can do this!” So, after being put under for exploratory stomach surgery, getting a port and the insertion of a jejunostomy feeding tube, I was just about ready for my journey to knock this stomach cancer out of the park! I stayed in the hospital until my body started to get acclimated to the feeding tube. Gradually, we added more food.
Can I Still Have My Coffee?
Of course, I asked, “would I be able to drink a little by mouth?” Coffee made me feel like my normal mornings. So, every day, someone stopped at Starbucks when by MD Anderson and brought me a cup of coffee to the hospital. I couldn’t even drink the whole cup but it sure felt good to hold it. So, I was fortunate to be able to take liquids by mouth in small sips but the goal was to get my body to adjust to my feeding tube.
Meet Cookie! That’s What We Named My Stomach Feeding Tube
So, I left the hospital hooked up to my feeding tube in stomach 24/7. Cookie gave me my nutrition which I called my deliciousness. What I didn’t realize at the time was how important it was to accelerate my rate of food so I spent less hours hooked up to Cookie. Yes, it was overwhelming but after my stomach healed from my surgery, not only can everyone hook me up and flush me, but I became quite the pro.
What is a Jejunostomy Feeding Tube in Stomach?
What is a feeding tube? In my case, the jejunostomy feeding tube was a soft, plastic tube placed through the skin of the abdomen into the midsection of the small intestine. I have stomach cancer so my jejunostomy tube gives me the ability to get nutrition and bypasses by stomach. My gastric cancer is called linitis plastica which means the cancer is diffused in the stomach lining. I didn’t have a choice about getting a j feeding tube. My husband says he hates the feeding tube because my stomach has all the tubes coming from. However, he loves it because he knows this is my lifeline for good nutrition. When going through chemo and nauseous, I don’t have to worry about eating and weight loss. I stay the same so this J-tube definitely has its perks.
Feeding Tube Supplies That I Liked
I experienced trouble with my feeding tube stitches from day one. One time at MD Anderson, the nurse fixed my feeding tube with these anchor band-aids and it changed my life. You learn what to do with trial and error so I thought I would share with you some of my favorite feeding tube supplies. I liked these bandages because they secured my tube and helped me not pull on [/float]it.
These anchor band-aids strips are pricey but you don’t need to change them that often. I probably do every 5-7 days so it won’t irritate my skin.
This Size Gauze Pads Are on My Feeding Supplies List
I will have my jejunostomy feeding tube for a long time. Since, I just started chemo and my end result will be the gastronomy, my feeding tube supplies are important. I have gone through all different sizes of gauze and it might sound silly but this size gauze pads seemed to work the best.
My tube has to be securely taped down or my tube gets irritated and these smaller gauze pads keep it more secure with the tape. As I said, you just have to figure out what works for you.
Stomach Feeding Tube Doesn’t Define Me!
Like anything in life, I got used to my daily routine with my feeding tube. Our hope is as the chemo shrinks my diffused tumor in the stomach lining. Then, I will be able to take more food by mouth!
We made the Easy Potato Soup from my Eating Well Through Cancer cookbook and I eat 1/2 cup at a time. By the way, I am the author of one of the best-selling cancer cookbooks. So, everything I have told people for the last 15 years now I apply to myself. I now understand what a difference this cookbook can make during a cancer journey. I feel confident eating from my cancer cookbook so I better understand why people going through treatment use this book as a security blanket. Food is comfort and important for strength and nutrition.
No More 24/7 Stomach Feeding Tube
So, we graduated increased my rate per hour until I was up to 90 with my jejunostomy feeding tube. Now, I hook up for any 2 1/2 hours during the day and then 10 1/2 hours at night. So, I am free to go places without hauling my beloved Cookie and still getting the proper nourishment. Wow! Does it make a difference!
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I read your food recipes in the NEW Orleans Advocate newspaper. Your article this morning highlighted perfect party recipes to free you from stress. I went to your cancer blog, cause my husband has cancer too. So I ordered your cancer book, as well as the trim&Terrific&eating well book. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m looking forward to trying your recipes. I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Hi Regina,
Thanks for taking time to write and you made my night that you are enjoying my recipes in the New Orleans Advocate as well as I can be helpful with your husband with cancer. I am passionate about what I do and hope to make a difference in your life with my easy, healthy recipes. Thanks for your prayers and your family is in mine too as I understand it is a family diagnosis! I’m excited for you to get my cookbooks.
Oh, Holly, I just now read your post and found out what you are going through! I am so incredibly touched and admire you so much that you are using this time to inspire and help others. So like you, my dear! And, of course, now that desire to help others that resulted in your amazing cancer cookbook, has come home to help you. You are in my prayers for comfort and complete recovery! Sending you hugs!!
Thanks Deborah and started to email you but never did! All good and I have a long challenging journey but I can do this! Still working as that’s my passion so hopefully, something with you will still pop up! Thanks!
Holly I am so excited about your progress and thankful that you can do some of the things you enjoy. Especially sharing your journey with your friends on your blog. Joni Erickson Tada encouraged me when she said she drew encouragement she realized the Sovereignty of our loving God, that He permits what He hates (such as our disease) to accomplish what He loves. (to keep us close to him.) I know His mercy and grace will sustain you and you will know his presence surrounds you daily. Love.
your forever friend, CORAMDEO
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement. Yes, I feel fortunate to continue my passion of working and helping others. I do hope by sharing my journey I help others too. We can do this! I get so much support from my friends (like you) out there…it means a lot. Holly
I really appreciate your honest updates. Your information is providing a wealth of knowledge and knowledge dispels fear. Your courage and positive attitude will give strength to others going through cancer treatment. You are an amazing women of substance. Rob and I are praying for you daily. Sending love and hugs!
You brought tears to my eyes reading your post. You are so right that knowledge is power and I want to share my journey with all the wonderful friends I have out there, especially such long time friends like you and Rob. Thanks for your prayers and I especially love the hugs!!! I do hope to make a difference and let people know we can all do this together. The support gives me so much strength! Holly