Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

alfredo

(60,071 posts)
Tue May 15, 2018, 12:11 AM May 2018

Big news day, but first, I have been cancer free for two years as of May3

Today I was taking off Tefla pad, cutting it with scissors, when I accidentally cut my food tube right above the bumper. It was a mess, 2 Cal everywhere. My wife called 911 and had an ambulance on the way. So I was sitting there covered in my stomach contents, holding the tube closed. I sprinted upstairs and found some old hemostats and clamped it shut.

When I got to the ER the determined I have to get a new PEG. It hurt when they took it out, but not as bad as I thought. It was kind of bloody, but not too bad.

So now I have a new low profile feeding tube. So everything is OK now. The doctor had with him a medical student, soon to be an Army doctor. She was given the task fo removing the tube. She got it most of the way out, then the Dr stepped in and finished the job.

So I am OK. had some 2Cal and watched some TV with my wife. Good day I'd say.

47 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Big news day, but first, I have been cancer free for two years as of May3 (Original Post) alfredo May 2018 OP
Glad you are OK after today and congrats on your 2 yr mark lunasun May 2018 #1
Yay!! (on the cancer-free) Solly Mack May 2018 #2
Yeah, I got in trouble for not worried or freaked out. alfredo May 2018 #4
I tend to be calm in bad situations. Solly Mack May 2018 #5
It really isn't that bad. I had that big rubber bumper, and that is why it hurt. alfredo May 2018 #7
So you were fated to get the low profile feeding tube. It turned out to be a good day after all. OregonBlue May 2018 #18
last month they floated the idea of a new PEG. alfredo May 2018 #29
Sounds like it was for the best. From the looks of the old one, this is truly a blessing!! OregonBlue May 2018 #44
The best part of all is that it is free. alfredo May 2018 #45
Glad everything is okay. onecaliberal May 2018 #3
I like my new Peg tube. alfredo May 2018 #6
Nice! onecaliberal May 2018 #32
It's so convenient. alfredo May 2018 #34
It definitely looks like it's more comfortable. onecaliberal May 2018 #35
And there is less chance of spills. alfredo May 2018 #38
Right. onecaliberal May 2018 #40
I still get spills, but not as serious as before. alfredo May 2018 #41
It also seems like there is no chance it can catch on something or get pulled on. onecaliberal May 2018 #42
I'm loving my new PEG. I still get leakage, but not much. alfredo May 2018 #43
Congratulations on 2 yrs. I like the low profile pegs, work with them mostly at in home visits. uppityperson May 2018 #8
Mine was 2cal sticky alfredo May 2018 #19
Congrats, alfredo. sheshe2 May 2018 #9
Thanks. I'm doing my best to stay well. alfredo May 2018 #21
Congratulations and stay well! Hekate May 2018 #10
Thanks alfredo May 2018 #22
Too much excitement mountain grammy May 2018 #11
Hey, many high fives for the great 2 year report. mahina May 2018 #12
Thanks. In the end it was a fun experience. alfredo May 2018 #23
Congratulations on the anniversary. JohnnyLib2 May 2018 #13
And I got to ride in an ambulance. That was fun. alfredo May 2018 #24
Great news, alfredo! C Moon May 2018 #14
Yeah it was great news. I'm looking forward to more years C free. alfredo May 2018 #25
Awesome news!! So glad to hear. InAbLuEsTaTe May 2018 #15
The bad thing at least led to another good thing with the new feeding tube! Laffy Kat May 2018 #16
It's so much better than the old one. alfredo May 2018 #26
Congrats on your 2 year anniversary. Sounds like they believe you sinkingfeeling May 2018 #17
It appears it will be in as long as keep losing weight without 2Cal. alfredo May 2018 #27
Here's to another 20 or more cancer free🍻. we can do it May 2018 #20
I'd be 93. alfredo May 2018 #28
Congratulations on your two years cancer free! Ohiogal May 2018 #30
I put down my buttermilk just to congratulate you for ten years clean. alfredo May 2018 #31
We've all been there (a little mistake) PennyK May 2018 #33
I hope you use that as leverage.:) alfredo May 2018 #36
Best wishes adrianastepheny May 2018 #37
All that is left is getting that swallowing problem fixed. alfredo May 2018 #39
Wonderful news re: Cancer Free for 2 YEARS! auntAgonist May 2018 #46
Damn, looks like you've been through the ringer. alfredo May 2018 #47

alfredo

(60,071 posts)
4. Yeah, I got in trouble for not worried or freaked out.
Tue May 15, 2018, 12:34 AM
May 2018

But she got over it once I explained that I was trying to keep her from worrying.

The ambulance ride was fun, the two EMS were veterans, so we swapped stories.

alfredo

(60,071 posts)
7. It really isn't that bad. I had that big rubber bumper, and that is why it hurt.
Tue May 15, 2018, 12:47 AM
May 2018

The low profile bumper can be deflated and will just slide right out. No more tube hanging out. Yea


When they were working on me, they had moved the hemostats and allowed a small leak. I coughed and splattered 2 Cal and stomach acid all over the place.

It's bed time for me, see you in the morning.

The guy has a weird belly button. Don't tell him I said that.

OregonBlue

(7,753 posts)
18. So you were fated to get the low profile feeding tube. It turned out to be a good day after all.
Tue May 15, 2018, 10:04 AM
May 2018

Congrats all the way around. Wishing you and your wife well.

alfredo

(60,071 posts)
45. The best part of all is that it is free.
Thu May 17, 2018, 05:53 PM
May 2018

Everything associated with my cancer is free. Hurray for the VA.

onecaliberal

(32,749 posts)
42. It also seems like there is no chance it can catch on something or get pulled on.
Thu May 17, 2018, 12:53 AM
May 2018

I’m glad that medical advances can make life easier and more cormfortable for folks who depend on devices and equipment.

alfredo

(60,071 posts)
43. I'm loving my new PEG. I still get leakage, but not much.
Thu May 17, 2018, 09:57 AM
May 2018

I can now wear shirts with having that lump sticking out. Also hugging in much easier.

uppityperson

(115,677 posts)
8. Congratulations on 2 yrs. I like the low profile pegs, work with them mostly at in home visits.
Tue May 15, 2018, 12:52 AM
May 2018

I bet you had a sticky belly.

Most people criss cross split 4X4, alleviating the need for take, but you sound pretty active so that may not work.

2 yrs is something, congrats again.

alfredo

(60,071 posts)
19. Mine was 2cal sticky
Tue May 15, 2018, 02:21 PM
May 2018

Last edited Wed May 16, 2018, 01:05 AM - Edit history (1)

I like not having that damn tube sticking out. I’m still a bit sore, but it’s more comfortable. I cut the pad half way, then cut across. I cross the loose ends and tape them.

sinkingfeeling

(51,432 posts)
17. Congrats on your 2 year anniversary. Sounds like they believe you
Tue May 15, 2018, 09:36 AM
May 2018

will be on feeding tube for a long time.

alfredo

(60,071 posts)
31. I put down my buttermilk just to congratulate you for ten years clean.
Tue May 15, 2018, 05:22 PM
May 2018

The traditional ten year anniversary gift is Tin or Aluminum.

PennyK

(2,301 posts)
33. We've all been there (a little mistake)
Tue May 15, 2018, 07:43 PM
May 2018

Congrats on your two years!
During my chemo, my port created a sort-of-blood clot area, and they wanted me on blood thinner. Prescribed an injectible, and I didn't want to do it myself. So Hubby got instructions from the nurse, and somehow injected the first one at the wrong angle. Two years later, I still have a teeny-weeny hematoma at the site.

 

adrianastepheny

(12 posts)
37. Best wishes
Wed May 16, 2018, 01:47 AM
May 2018

Hey Dear, It's really good to see that your health is improving. Try to follow all the instruction which is given by your doctor. It's really Big news. Best wishes and congratulation.

auntAgonist

(17,252 posts)
46. Wonderful news re: Cancer Free for 2 YEARS!
Sun May 20, 2018, 08:46 AM
May 2018

I had nothing but trouble with PICC lines. Twice in the last 10 years I've gotten blood poisoning by bacteria and was very ill because of the PICC going bad.
Fast forward to 2 years ago when they decided to place a port in my chest. Best thing ever until I somehow contracted a really hard to beat infection in the port itself. Every time I used the port it pushed the infection until once again I had blood poisoning by bacteria (sepsis)
This time for some reason I developed an allergy to Bactrim. The anti-biotic they were treating me with via IV (port removed) was making me even more sick.
They were able to find a drug that would clear the infection but I ended up in hospital for 2 weeks!
I'm thankful they 'cured' me

Ports ( I have a new power port now) are great and they are much better for blood draws than needle sticks.

I hope you're able to resolve the swallowing issue and I wish you GOOD HEALTH.

aA
kesha

alfredo

(60,071 posts)
47. Damn, looks like you've been through the ringer.
Sun May 20, 2018, 01:44 PM
May 2018

Right now I am dealing with Lymphedema. I'm going to go back to PT to see if different massages will help.

The swallowing might be a lifelong problem, but I can deal with it.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Cancer Support»Big news day, but first, ...