Monday, October 19, 2009

Another trip to great PCMC

So today was supposed to be a very low key day. Not a whole lot going on and nothing big to do. Josh must have heard me say that... and decided to give me something to do.

This morning Josh walked up to me and I noticed it didn't look like he was wearing a onesie under his sweats. I pulled up his shirt and his G-tube, or button we call it, was not there!!! Imagine the panic that came following that realization! So I ran him over the the living room floor, yelled for Scott and grabbed our emergency G-tube kit. I grab his button that is in the kit and attempted to shove it back in. It was not even CLOSE to fitting. I start to think that this could be really bad. So I start opening the catheters they put in the kit to use to keep his stoma (hole) open. The next size down won't fit and so I had to go with a smaller size. I really had to shove it in. Of course you can imagine the screaming going on. Scott decides to take a turn at trying to get his button to fit. I pull out the catheter and he tries. He says the same thing I did... there was no way that was going to fit. So we tape the small catheter back in and I call his GI doctor's office first. For the first time ever ( and we have been going to this clinic for a year now) the nurse actually answers. She puts me on hold and finds his doctor. She comes back on the line and tells me that they will squeeze us in at their office, instead of making us go through the ER. Halelujah!!! So I throw together some stuff and head to PCMC.

Once there, they pull off all this tape and put some numbing stuff on the site. We wait for 20 min. In the meantime my sis-in-law (who works at PCMC) comes to keep me company. After the numbing stuff is in effect, the Physician's Assistant comes in and takes the catheter out and proceeds to 'make' the stoma bigger so she can shove the button in. Believe it or not, Josh never even cried! His lip quivered a few times, but that was it. We got the button back in, just a little bleeding, and bandaged him up. After checking for placement we talked for a few minutes about his constipation. She was messing with his tummy and could feel it rock hard. We also talked about reflux and I found I am on the right track for some changes I have made. I will post about that later though.

So... Josh is fine, but will be sore for a day or two. Not bad to make it almost 5 months since his G-tube was placed before having a problem this big. Let's just hope it doesn't happen again!

10 comments:

Tanya said...

owwwwwww!!! That really makes me ache. Bad memories. Ugh.
I am so sorry you didn't have much of a low-key day. I'm glad the numbing worked for him!!!

Desiree said...

Wow, what a scare!! Poor guy, he is such a trooper.

Jessica said...

First off I can't believe that he has had his g tube for 5 months already! Secondly... I can't believe you remembered all the steps they taught you about emergency repalcement! Im impressed to say the least! So hmmmmm...where was the original button found? Do I dare ask???

Did they take out that metal rod thing to stretch it back out?? J screamed when they did that part, however I don't recall them numing him. You have a strong little boy! Give him hugs from us!

Annie said...

Yeah so how does the button come out by itself? And did you ever find it? I am glad he is okay and that you didn't have to go to the ER. What a tough guy!

Amy said...

I never plan to actually have a low key day when I think it will be. But you on the other hand blow me way out of the park. I hope that you were able to get the new one in without to many problems. How did the other one come out? Did Josh pull it out? Go Josh and parents for being troopers.

Deb said...

I don't know what I'd do. That's crazy! Great that he's being so good about it though. :)

Daniel and Megan said...

Josh is amazing!

I used to work at PCMC and I was thinking on the way home from work just today that I wish one of my children would have something MINOR happen so that I could go get a sandwich. They have the BEST sandwiches! Then I quickly decided that even something minor would not be worth that sandwich. So, I'm sorry that you have to go through these unexpected - and sometimes expected - trials and trips to PCMC!! (Try their sandwiches, though. They really are delicious.) :)

Chantel and Brian said...

I'm glad they were able to fix it without to much trouble. And that you learned how to deal with the issue better if he does it again, which hopefully he doesnt!

Heidi said...

Poor Melissa. No low key days for you. I am glad that things worked out for little Josh.

ks said...

I remember having to replace the button a number of times. Once, we accidentally pulled it out! OOOPS!! But 5 mos. is great!