It's been a while since I've done a Q & A, and I was asked a question the other day on Facebook. I figured I would answer it on here and offer for anyone else to leave a comment on here or FB, or email me, or ask me in person, or whatever, if you have a question...about anything, not just Abby! The worst I'll do is not answer it. :)
Send them in the next few days and I'll try to have the answers up by Saturday. Happy asking!
Question: I am curious as to know if Abby ever pulls at her tubes or the vent. I am amazed that as curious as babies are that she does not do this...
So, far, the vent tubing hasn't been too much of a problem (insert knocking sound here). The tubes are pretty thick and strong, so it will take a while for her to actually pull them out. Plus, the part where the circuit (tube) is connected to the trach is tied on around her neck. This is the white string that Abby just loves to untie and chew on! Really though, she hasn't intentionally pulled anything off. It happens occasionally, but not too often...yet!
Where we have noticed the real problem is with Abby's feeding tube. When she's getting fed, there's a very long (maybe 2 yards?), thin tube that runs from the bag and connects to the short connector tube. This connector is actually what clicks into her g-tube. Anyway, this loooooong thin tube is just the perfect size for little fingers, and the part where it goes into the connector tube is oh-so-enticing. She loves to pull on it and wave it in the air.
Now, let's think for a minute. What happens when Abby pulls on the part where it connects? Ding, ding, ding!! It comes apart and milk goes everywhere!!! Then Abby, her blankets, close-by toys, and anything else within spraying distance all smell like sour milk. Lovely. We've had countless messes to clean up as a result. During a recent doctor's visit, she pulled it out 4 times in the car! Thankfully, I was right next to her and avoided the mess. We try to keep the tube out of her reach, but that is hard in certain situations (like in the car!)
The other, slightly comical, problem is that sometimes if she pulls really hard, it jerks her g-tube site a bit. I know, I know, I shouldn't laugh at that...but she is doing it to herself!! I keep telling her that when she pulls on the tube, it hurts her. She hasn't quite figured that out yet.
So send me your questions, if you have any! :)
PS: Yes, I am in fact posting this at 2:30 a.m. We don't have a nurse tonight and I'm taking the late shift because Matt is going to Kings Dominion tomorrow with the youth group. Blogging is keeping me awake.
Send them in the next few days and I'll try to have the answers up by Saturday. Happy asking!
Question: I am curious as to know if Abby ever pulls at her tubes or the vent. I am amazed that as curious as babies are that she does not do this...
So, far, the vent tubing hasn't been too much of a problem (insert knocking sound here). The tubes are pretty thick and strong, so it will take a while for her to actually pull them out. Plus, the part where the circuit (tube) is connected to the trach is tied on around her neck. This is the white string that Abby just loves to untie and chew on! Really though, she hasn't intentionally pulled anything off. It happens occasionally, but not too often...yet!
Where we have noticed the real problem is with Abby's feeding tube. When she's getting fed, there's a very long (maybe 2 yards?), thin tube that runs from the bag and connects to the short connector tube. This connector is actually what clicks into her g-tube. Anyway, this loooooong thin tube is just the perfect size for little fingers, and the part where it goes into the connector tube is oh-so-enticing. She loves to pull on it and wave it in the air.
Now, let's think for a minute. What happens when Abby pulls on the part where it connects? Ding, ding, ding!! It comes apart and milk goes everywhere!!! Then Abby, her blankets, close-by toys, and anything else within spraying distance all smell like sour milk. Lovely. We've had countless messes to clean up as a result. During a recent doctor's visit, she pulled it out 4 times in the car! Thankfully, I was right next to her and avoided the mess. We try to keep the tube out of her reach, but that is hard in certain situations (like in the car!)
The other, slightly comical, problem is that sometimes if she pulls really hard, it jerks her g-tube site a bit. I know, I know, I shouldn't laugh at that...but she is doing it to herself!! I keep telling her that when she pulls on the tube, it hurts her. She hasn't quite figured that out yet.
So send me your questions, if you have any! :)
PS: Yes, I am in fact posting this at 2:30 a.m. We don't have a nurse tonight and I'm taking the late shift because Matt is going to Kings Dominion tomorrow with the youth group. Blogging is keeping me awake.
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