Matthew's G-Tube

So, Rob and I had been dreading the day that Matthew would have to get the G-Tube...but, after many months, things still were not progressing. The date was set for Wednesday, November 19th; I have to add though that the week before, Sara got the Croup, Matthew fell down at school and hit his cheek on a table (huge bruise) and later scratched himself under his eye with a toy car. He looked pretty bad (better now though)! It was also scheduled for me to take Matthew to the Pediatrician's on Tuesday, the day before his surgery for a pre-operation evaluation, but I ended up taking both kids to the doctor on Monday because Sara was still coughing. That's when I found out she had Croup. The very same evening (Monday), I developed a fever, chills, sore throat, and just felt horrible, my dad had to come over and help me with the kids on Tuesday because I just couldn't function. My fever broke around 9:00am (thank goodness) but I still felt crappy. Sara went to my mom's that night and we prepared ourselves for the drive and trip to Cincinnati.

Once we arrived, things moved pretty quickly. Matthew had a Bronchoscopy/lavage and then Endoscopy with PEG placement (g-tube); they also took biopsy samples. Initial results are that in looking in to his bronchioles, all looks well, but we need to wait for results from the lab. Doc noticed that at the back of Matthew's tongue he has developed adenoid tissue; which could cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. I was like NOT AGAIN!!!!!!! Fortunately, Matthew does not snore, but we have to keep an eye on it. If he has to go through another surgery, I don't know what I'll do!!!!!!!!! Anyway, g-tube was placed and the surgery went well. Now on to recovery...uuuggghh!

So now, I'm losing my voice, Matthew has a tube sticking out of his stomach and I'm petrified to hurt him. Morphine was administered for pain that first day and then Tylenol w/Codeine after. He did really well. He really is a brave, tough little boy! He was so uncomfortable though. He just wanted to sit the entire time. The nurses said they were surprised by that because usually that puts a lot of pressure on the area. Anyway, they said we could leave Thursday night, but he just didn't seem like he was ready, so we stayed. He got his IV taken out late Thursday, which helped his mood tremendously. The lady from Apria came and gave us a lesson on g-tube feeding and a supply for 5 days. We left the hospital around noon today!

It is so hard to see your child with a tube sticking out of their belly. It breaks your heart to hear "Mimmy, it hurts". It is so hard to see your little boy is out of it because of the drugs and it is so hard to just know that he's already been through the ringer.

We are optimistic that the tube will help and we are happy that he did so well. It's just going to take some time to get used to. In about 3 months, we'll go back and they'll put in a mickey button, which will replace the tube looking thing in his stomach and be more flush to his skin. In the meantime, I have to figure out how to keep this tube and valve from being in the way of everyday life. Also, Matthew has a slight fever now...so I have to wonder if he's getting what I have or if he's getting infection from the tube placement.

Anyway, this is his update, sorry if I sound defeated right now, I'm just tired, and worried and sick of being sick.

Thanks to all of you who continuously pray for our son and for taking the time out of your lives to ask about ours. We appreciate your kind words.

Babette and Family
www.myspace.com/gierkebl
http://www.childfoundation.us/

P.S. Somehow this last week I lost all emails and contact information from my outlook. I am relying on the emails I am currently receiving to send stuff out; so if you get this, please send me your contact info, I would really appreciate it.