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
The "removing the tube" language has put a spin on the whole matter. People equate it to ventilators. I have seen that, as well. Mother-in-law on one for 27 days while the doctors tried to diagnose. Horrible that was, because, it turned out she was terminal when they put her on it.
Had we known she was terinal, we would have, in good conscience, denied the artifical repiration.
They took her to the hospital to remove the tube the last time under anesthetic. You're right.
I sat here at my computer and was totally blown away by the whole thing.
It was like it was a medical procedure instead of an atempted government assassination! They fully intended her to die the last time.
Thanks for posting that!