Thursday, October 7, 2010

PH Probe and G-tube surgery soon

So today we are taking in Conner for another PH probe test. They will put a tube down his nose (he will still have in the feeding tube in the opposite nose hole, so he will have a "tube mustache") and what this does is it will measure the amount of times he is refluxing during a 16 hr time period. They will feed him only apple juice (for some reason it has to be apple juice for the probe to be able to pick up the acid levels). When he had this done back when he was still in the NICU his results came back at 19% reflux. The normal person refluxes about 5% of the day, but a healthy esophagus will pretty much keep it down (reflux is similar to heart burn). The surgeon that will be doing the G-tube said that 19% is a pretty high number and actually one of the highest that he has seen. We are just hoping that this PH study will be the most accurate it can be, so we can make the best decision for Conner (if he needs a nissen). He is getting his G-tube placed next week. (A G-tube means that instead of a feeding tube going into his nose, the feeding 'port' will now be surgically placed in on his tummy). There are several benefits to having a G-tube. The biggest thing is that it *should* help him be more willing to learn how to eat, because he will no longer have a tube down his throat that activates his gag reflex when he swallows food. He won't have the tube taped to his face anymore, and that alone is supposed to help the whole feeding aversion going on. Another huge plus is that I will no longer find Conner with the tube wrapped around his throat twice when I get him from naps, or get him up in the mornings. Yes, it's quite disturbing to find him like that. (and I always check on him, but it still just happens! He is thinks he needs to roll a million times before finding his comfy spot). I will also no longer have to carry around his pump everywhere I go since he has been on continuous, 24 hr/day feedings. He will begin to get 'bolus' feedings, meaning I will pretty much 'feed' him like a normal baby- every few hours or so he will get milk put into his G-tube. All in all, it should be a very positive change for him, and for us. I'm still really nervous about having to learn and know how to take care of his G-tube, but I know in no time, it will be a piece of cake. Wish us luck!