Playing doctor....

How a GJ looks. The ballon holds it in (in theory).
The long tube is threaded down his
stomach into his intestines.

I remember when my older 3 kids  were young. They used to play so nice. They loved playing house, school and...doctor. Back then, they used their crappy plastic stethescopes and looked in eachothers ears. Cute and harmless.


Oh, how things have changed!!

Yesterday, Leeya got her stethescopes out to play doctor with Jax and pulled out Jaxsons GJ tube!! For real. They don't play around with colds. My kids imitate surgical procedures.They take playing doctor to a whole new level. 


AND YES, I flipped my lid. I never claim to have good language, but at the moment I saw Jaxsons gj dangling halfway out of his stoma, I think I beat world record for using the f bomb. There was blood dripping, brown stuff pouring out (no idea wtf that was-his formula is white) and I panicked. Big time. The tube was only half out. I couldn't remember if I pull it out, push it in..or cry.


My first thought, besides F***! Was to call 911. But, after a second, I remembered our prior (2) 911 calls (different kid) and realized that they can't handle this. I need to. Its not a huge deal. I got this.
I grabbed my emergency kit. Inside, I keep a new g tube button, packet of lubrication, a syringe, gauze and tape. I pulled the rest of the gj out and popped in a shiny new g button. It went in fast and easy. Relief!
I immediately took pics and posted on my feeding tube support group for reassurance. I was still super panicky. These women are smarter and faster than any Dr we have dealt with. I cleaned up the blood and goo and paged the GI on call.

 
No response from GI, but Jax was happy by now and playing again. I set him up to sleep on the couch so I could keep a close eye. He fell right asleep. I totally overreacted with my panic. I just wasn't prepared. He was fine. It hurt me much more than it hurt him.

  After a million phonecalls and pages, GI finally called back. (today) Jaxson is to start g feeds at a rate of 40ml/hr. If he starts puking, he will need to be admitted until they get his size tube in stock. This could be as early as Monday, but most likely Wednesday. Because it will be so long without nutrition, they will need to start him on tpn temporarily. (which for the record, I think it completely ridiculous) Barf. It also means I will need a babysitter for my other 4 peeps. Its also Skylan's gymnastics banquet and Mothers Day weekend. Ugh.


Im hoping I can keep him hydrated at home. REALLY hoping. So far, so good enough. :) 

*Update: Sedation team called. Jax is now scheduled for a new, shiny GJ tube on Monday afternoon!