The G-Tube

This is not the first time it has happened. Actually, it has happened a number of times: in The Children’s Hospital cafeteria, at the pediatrician’s office, at home. It has become another one of those typical things with Zane, much like brushing his hair or clipping his nails. His gastrostomy tube button—the one that plugs in the hole in his stomach—came out. This time, however, he lay in a soaked mess of formula and water. I hadn’t noticed it’s disappearance from his stoma area until I went to remove the tubing. Instead of looking at the Nutriport button, there was the reddened hole. Thankfully, it was still open enough to reinsert a new button, fill the balloon with water, and move on with the rest of our day.

In the past, anything medically related would cause a feeling of queasiness to rise from within. I even have been known to pass out. Now, it is just another one of those things that I have to do. Many times—including today—I am the only one here to do it. And, if the button isn’t put into place, Zane doesn’t get fed. The longer it is out, the greater the chances of it closing up (like an ear piercing, I guess). So the reinsertion of gastrostomy tubes is now a part of our new normal.