g-tube

On Tuesday we went to the pediatric surgeon in Saginaw to have Sophia's G-tube swapped out (from a monocot(rubberized tube) to a button style). When we left Cincy we were told it was an easy fast 10-15 minute thing and that it could be done in the office. We found out that, that was not quite the case. We met with the Surgeon and he said that the g-tube swap needed to be done in the O.R. as an out patient surgery. Although the thought of her going back in an O.R. again rattled my cage a little it really is not a big deal. To make the G-tube exchange as easy as possible on Sophia they want to sedate her so she doesn't feel any pain. The surgeon said the anesthetic is like what they use when you have dental surgery. The procedure is scheduled for this Friday, July 9 at 11:30a.m.. We are to arrive at Covenant Medical Center in Saginaw at 9:30a.m. The procedure itself should take no more then 30 minutes.

Why are we having the tube swapped out? Well if you have ever used a rubber band time and time again you find out that the elasticity eventually wears out. Same is true with a monocot. The end that we use to attache her feeding syringe to is very rapidly loosing it's elasticity. Why is that a problem? With the syringe in the tube loosely you can easily have the syringe fall out of the tube while feeding Sophia. This causes her to loose valuable calories and also makes a huge mess. we currently have tape and rubber bands assisting with keeping the syringe and monocot g-tube together while feeding. We have also had the stopper pop out when she pushes against it also causing her to loose needed calories and also making quite a mess.

Other then that Sophia is doing really well, she continues to grow and has been enjoying many new things. Today she even went to her first concert at Dow Gardens and listened to Brett Mitchell (our favorite musician). She is also smiling more and more and is becoming increasingly active. She now grabs at her burp rag and rubs it on her face and also has really started sucking on her hands in the evening.

I'll give you all an update on the g-tube swap in the coming days.