Today, after 32 days of having a NJ tube through my nose, I had it removed. I couldn't take it anymore. Some people don't have a problem with them, I on the other hand, had a huge problem. It made my throat incredibly sore and caused quite a bit of pain to swallow. I guess that is actually putting it mildly. The best way for me to describe it was it felt like the tip of a butter knife had broken off in the middle of my throat and every time I swallowed it would dig and rub into the tender tissue of my esophagus. It was a good thing that I had a GI appointment today or I would have probably pulled it out my self.
My GI doctor gladly accommodated me in granting my requested to have the devilish device removed. It was amazing the instant difference having the tube gone made. Although my throat was still sore, I could talk again without pain and it no longer caused agony to swallow. I almost cried tears of joy to be rid of that gaustly NJ tube. Now in all fairness, the tube did help keep me nourished for the past 32 days but it came to a point where the pain was out weighing the benefit.
To update you all as to what is going on and what hopefully will happen, I must tell you that my vomiting hasn't gotten any better. The Doctors here in Columbus feel that I should have a J tube placed (this would be done surgically and would put a tube directly through my abdomen into my small intestines) because they are not sure what is causing the vomiting and how to stop it. They know I need the nutrition so the next logical step would be to have a J tube until the vomiting stops. My OSU GI doctor and I both agree that I need a second opinion. So I have been trying my darnedest to get into see a GI doctor and a Surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic (CC). The CC is about a 2.5 hour drive from here but they are ranked 2nd in the country for the GI department. I have come to the conclusion that I need a team of experts to help me. We are going to be living in Ohio for at least another 2 years so if it requires me to drive a little ways to be able to get help and set up a good team, then I'm willing to do that.
Unfortunately, it seams like the month of July is a busy month for Doctors and the month that most of them like to take vacation time and that leaves me not being able to get into see a Doctor till the 4th of August. Since I had the NJ tube pulled, at this current moment I have to fend for myself and try to get as many calories and as much hydration as I can. I should be having a PICC line placed again to help me stay hydrated. I'll be receiving 1500 ml of IV fluids a day once the PICC line is placed. Hopefully I will be able to get enough calories to stay down to hold me over till we can either figure this out or I can have a more permanent feeding tube placed.
Frankly I don't want another feeding tube, I don't want to be throwing up but I have come to the realization that, this is my trial in life right now and there are worse things then having a J tube (like an NJ tube). Nothing in this situation is ideal but a J tube would allow me to get the nutrition that I need so I can start to get back to the things I enjoy. I want to be able to run with my girls and take them to the zoo without being completely drained the next day. I would like to be able to do more around the house and allow Sean a chance to focus more on his schooling. I would like to play basketball again. The list could go on but there isn't a need to dwell on what I can't have right now. I am grateful for what I do have and understand that even with what I am dealing with, there are millions of people out there who's struggles are far greater then mine. I'm grateful for the medical options that I have because there are so many in the world who do not have a 10th of what I have. I know with a feeding tube I can live more of how I want to it will just be a little different then I had ever imagined.
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