[don-o]

Mrs don-o, an expert, tells me that "remove the tube" is not correct. That in fact, the tube is inserted at meal time then removed until the next meal.

Is that right?

The language that this story is reported, even here, is important, in that, it paints a picture.

[Theodore R.]

The tube was surgically removed on Oct. 15, 2003, as the agents of satan cheered. They will be out in bigger numbers tomorrow waiting for their next victory.

[ruoflaw]

well, last time they surgically removed the port...they could have just caped it off but they didn't do that.

[LadyPilgrim]

I remember that they took her from the hospice and removed the tube in the hospital.
They left with her in an ambulance, then returned her to the hospice afterward.

I made phone calls by the tons and wrote emails over and over again. I don't remember too many of the details. Someone who was there would have to tell you more.

[eccentric]

IF (though I wonder if they have a conscience) the 'worker' at Howschwitz would feed Terri just before 1pm, then she wouldn't get hungry again until after her next scheduled feeding is missed. Am I right? Or is there more to this travesty?

[bizzzymom]

My son has a feeding tube. We change the tube ourselves at home every couple of months. It comes out very easily and is replaced easily. The stoma will close quickly if there is no reinsertion of the tube though.

For feeding, the 'tube' is connected to the port in the belly. It is also easily connected and disconnected. The tube is connected to the port for feeding only.

Here are some pics.... (not my son...)
http://www.emmathered.com/gtubechange.htm

Terri's tube may be different. Some (such as the Bard tube) need to be changed at a hospital because the patient needs an anesthetic (HAH! I thought she couldn't feel pain!)

HTH....

-Lori