As a kid I got a magazine called Highlights. Every month the back of the magazine was a crazy picture with the caption, “What’s wrong with this picture?”
So today, we’ll play what’s wrong with this picture? So tell me, really, what is wrong with this picture?
If you guessed Ryan’s cheeks are chapped, you get an E for effort. If you guessed he is missing some tubes, you are a winner.
When I came around the corner and saw little boy blue sans tubes, I thought, “something’s different”. It took me half a second to realize his feeding and oxygen tubes were missing. Here is Natalie taping his nasal cannula back to his face. Look how patient he is being.
Then comes the terrible part. Replacing the feeding tube. I hate replacing the feeding tube. Ryan cries and kicks the entire time making me feel like a big jerk.
Here he is playing with the tape box while I’m cutting strips for the upcoming procedure.
And if I’m doling out strips, the girls tend to get in line. (Please don’t ask me what those red marks are coming out of her nose. I have no idea except that she got ahold of the red marker and decided that’s what she wanted to do.)
After cutting tape strips, I lubricate the end of the feeding tube. (the lubricant is in my right palm)
Then someone holds Ryan down – Henry if he’s home, Natalie if he’s not – and I try to gently shove the tube down Ryan’s nostril.
And he cries.
And sometimes gags…
So I pull the tube back out and try again…
He basically cries the entire time and I pray the entire time that I’m placing the tube into his stomach and not his airway… and if I’m having a really hard time I take a deep breath and try again.
Did I mention I hate this process?
Once the tube is in as far as it should go (there are numbers on it and a special way of measuring how far to string it in), I tape it down to hold it in place while I ‘check placement’. The nurses at the hospital hold it in place with their hands during this part, but we find it easier to secure it with tape since Ryan is still mostly squirming.
To check placement I listen to his stomach (on most kids under the belly button, with Ryan under his scar) with the stethoscope while pushing air down the tube via a syringe. If you hear the whoosh of the air, the tube is in the right place. No whoosh, no good. (This photo is from another time I had to replace his tube)
And then Voila! Tape the nasal cannula where it goes and we’re done. Whew!
And that, folks, is how to replace a feeding tube.
Comments (22)
wow, you are amazing. go girl.
Poor mama and poor Ryan! What an ordeal!!
I like the patient Ryan picture! So cute.
poor ryan, this seems like such an ordeal and no fun at all. 🙁 who is taking the pictures while you do this?
That is amazing! First, that you work up the muster to put a tube in your baby’s nose all the way to his stomach and doing it again until it is right.
( I personally would be an emotional mess!)
Second, that that the girls help you. There is something awesome about little hobbits! My little girls still surprise me with acts of compassion and kindness as a family and for others.
How often do you have to replace the stomach tube?
Do his tubes need cleaning a lot?
PS- Baby girl will be here tomorrow! Yeah!! 😉
I see a nurse or two in your family’s future. Natalie looks so calm and helpful! Thank God you have such wonderful helpers. I agree with the others, I would be a mess, likely crying my way through right along with Ryan. Praying for you all daily!
poor guy, I don’t know anyone who would like that in the first place, I would kick up a fuss too. You have some wonderful helpers Too!
LOL the first thing I thought of with the pic of Natalie was she was pretending to have a nasal canula too.
Wow…that brought back some not so fond memories. I hated placing Hope’s NG tube and I was always afraid of placing it wrong. And then…she would pull it out…UGHHH that was the worst.
I am glad you shared this in pictures for anyone out there that has never had to experience placing a tube. It really is an experience no parent should have to have, but it is another thing that brings us heart parents closer together.
Wow – another heartbreaking thing you as an amazing mom have to go through. I think I’d be crying too. Glad you have some good helpers! It’s a shame they have to see their baby brother like that too. But that probably deepens the love they have for him. And I was wondering who took the pics too.
Ainsley is taking the pictures.
I replace the feeding tube when Ryan pulls it (which isn’t that often) or if it gets kinked (from coughing). I’ve probably changed it about 15 times since January.
Kelly – It doesn’t need pulled for cleaning. The only cleaning maintenance required is flushing it with water after feedings and meds.
And sometimes I do tear up.
So after all this they went ahead and gave you a medical degree right?!
wow! I can’t imagine how that feels! But you’re amazing Leighann! Yay for Ryan for being patient as Natalie tapes the tube back on and the pictures are adorable! Praying for you guys daily! <3
Not fair that Mommies have to do that kind of thing 🙁 But you do a great job caring for Ryan, Leighann! What a lucky boy he is!!
Also, either these pictures are old, or Ainsley’s hair growns REALLY fast! 😉
Wow! I tensed up just thinking about it…and my heart goes out to you and little Ryan.
I know a momma has to do what she has to do…and I am so proud of you Leighann. You are amazing.
Your girls were so helpful. They are learning from this…and it will make them strong individuals.
I wish I could just kiss Ryan’s cheeks and give him a hug. He is our miracle baby….and we all feel so privileged to pray for him…and for you and Henry.
Love, Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
You are awesome. I will tell u that u would more than know if u put it down his airway and into a lung, because they instantly turn blue. U may not always get it into the stomach, but its not his airway I speak from seeing it and I have been told that it always happens (that whole turning blue part).
Lindsey
Ugh! No fun! My youngest was on a feeding tube for her first month of life and I had to learn how to put it in before we were allowed to bring her home. NOT FUN!!! And that was just a newborn, I can’t even imagine how much it sucks doing it to a toddler who can fight back! And I’m sad to say, this is probably just the begining. I have no doubt he’ll do this again, but I hope he makes the connection between pulling it out and having to put it back in and stops yanking it out. I don’t blame him though, poor guy!
Wow! You truly are an amazing mom! You do such a great job! I’m a pediatric nurse but I’m so impressed with how well you were able to do that as a mom! Ryan is very blessed to have you for his mommy! And what great big sisters to serve as your medical assistants!
On a side note-I loved “highlites” growing up and know exactly what you are talking about! Such great memories!
You are a woman of many talents! GO Mom of all trades!
When the oceans rise and thunders roar, i will soar with you above the storm, Father you are King over the floods, i will be still and know you are God. Read Psalms 20.
you have some mini nurses on your hands! that makes this nurse proud!
Isn’t it just amazing the torture we can do to our children when it is so very neccessary? You’re a great mama and Ryan will understand that the torture was all neccessary someday! Oh & on the latest entry…YAY RYAN! He will be running around before you know it! He has come such a long way!!!
Nurses??? Nah. I’m betting on at least one heart surgeon. 😀 -Ashley
Love all the hair Ryan is getting! How is he doing eating by mouth??