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NJ Tube Fears
Hey guys :)
I have moderate-to-severe intestinal dysmotility, and mild Gastroparesis. After months of weight loss and pain and discomfort, my team has decided the time has come for a feeding tube to be placed. I'll also be starting a motility med, but that may make my heart condition (Long QT Syndrome) worse so I'll be in the CICU for a bit as well while we watch that. I'm also apparently an "ideal candidate" for refeeding syndrome, so watching that as well. The idea is that the med combined with pre-digested food will be something my body can handle, and that I'll get off the tube within a few months and go back to my liquid diet sans feeding tube.
Frankly, I'm scared. Terrified. I've never had a feeding tube before, never had a central line or anything like that, and I have no idea what to expect. I know it'll suck during placement and the first few days, but according to the internet the discomfort will pass relatively quickly. I'm much more concerned with the public's perceptions. As a 15-year-old ambulatory wheelchair user, I'm used to stares, but I know they'll only get worse when I have a tube clearly pasted on my face. I'm also worried about feeding in public, flushing, delivering meds, everything that's going to be a new part of my life. I have an invisible illness, and I'd like it to remain that way. This changes that drastically.
I'm at the point that I need to be admitted now. However, my hospital is currently overrun and having a Flu outbreak, so I got deferred for a few days. I go in on December 30th for placement. It's better than Christmas inpatient anyways.
I guess I'm posting here in the hopes that someone else will get it. I'm scared, and I don't know what to expect. If anyone has any tips/advice they'd be much appreciated.
#EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #dysmotility #ChronicIllness #ChronicIllnessEDS #Fear #njtube #tubie #InvisibleDisability #InvisibleIllness #LongQTsyndrome
