the doctors aren't kidding when they say do whatever you have to in order to get it back in ASAP. I don't know about you guys, but all of our doctors had warned us that there is a short window of opportunity to get a new one in if the g-tube falls out--or your child pulls it out. We had heard we have only an hour to get it put back.

Here's what happened: Tucker had his g-tube surgery about a month ago. Last week while we were at the pediatrician's office for a routine check-up, his tube somehow came out (we thought he was crying because his twin was getting immunizations and he was being sympathetic). When it was his turn to get his shots, I went to move him over to the spot on the table and there was blood on his shirt and his tube was laying on the table. The pediatrician tried to get it back in, but couldn't (we found out later it was a type of catheter that can only be put in during surgery since it was temporary until he gets his mic-key), so the ped. sent us to the ER. Well, the ER was taking forever, so I called Tucker's gastro just to ask him what I was supposed to do about the feeding Tucker was missing. He wound up rushing over to the hospital to put the tube in himself. (Did I tell you I think he's the greatest?!?!) By that time Tucker's tube had been out for about an hour and a half. The gastro was only able to get a 12 FR back in where it had been a 16 FR initially. The gastro said we were extremely lucky that he was able to get the 12FR in at all. Thank goodness he came over, or Tucker would have had to go through another surgery.

Moral of the story, they mean it when they say the hole closes quickly. I know some Moms say that they have put the mic-keys back in themselves, but we aren't at that stage yet, since we are so soon post-op. Honestly, I don't know if I'll ever be at that stage.....

Oh Victoria, thanks for posting! Wow, that must have been so scary. Thank God you were right there near the ER and that doctor is the greatest!

Sure hope that doesn't happen again.

I was/am nervous around Shae-Lynne, b/c I am such a clutz and I am afraid I will trip or get it caught someway to pull it out! Roni realy does have it secured though, tapes it around her back and straight up the back and out the neck of her top.

OMGosh, Victoria! Thank goodness the GI was able to rush over and reinsert the tube! You certainly wouldn't want to have another surgery!

Knock on wood, Sam's has not come out yet. He has the mic-key now and I almost passed out when they put it in (and I am a nurse). It was hard for me to watch them mess with my kid. They said they would have me put it in when it needs to be replaced in a few months. I do not know if I can do it. I guess I better get tough and do it! I know I could do it to a stranger--but not so sure about my kid.

Thank God for great doc's like your GI--I love ours too, he would have done the same thing, in fact he told me to get in the car and start driving and call on the way if it ever fell out so he could meet us at the ER!

You do have a great gi doc,and glad to hear that he was able to come over to the hospital to put the tube back in. As time goes on you will be able to replace the tube,it took me awhile to do it on my own but once did it no problem.


Melanie