Depdent on Tube...thoughts?

[Jenbug]

Mary,

I completely understand what you are saying. I remember telling the pediatric surgeon who put the tube in that I was very concerned about her oral sensitivities and feeding aversion getting worse and her becoming dependent on the tube the week we placed the tube. Both he and his physician's assistant emphatically replied no way. I knew they were wrong and yet I was still hoping for a better outcome. I metioned getting a G-tube a few weeks ago after our little talk and he told me that I was really getting ahead of myself and that we were in no way at that point. I mentioned the G-tube to my SLP and she flipped out saying how it would increase the reflux. Now she is saying Abbey might should get the G-tube. I told the surgeon about what the SLP said about the reflux and he got angry and said that is not always true. Where is my GI doc in all of this... well he is a foreigner who does not seem to regard women as having any kind of intellect. I see him again in December and he said he wants to take her off Prevacid even though I have told him she still vomits 1-2 feedings a day and refluxes all day. And I am on the search again for a new pediatrician for the 3rd time... seeing a new one tomorrow. The pediatrician that I saw for the last time said that the tube was not causing any discomfort to Abbey and that it was not the reason for her feeding aversion (that is not the reason I am leaving BTW).

I am taking to heart what you and some other moms are telling me. I guess in my mind I had a time frame. I was going to give her until she was at least 9 months but no older than a year old. I was thinking that because I was hoping that once she was able to self feed finger foods like cheerios and stuff that she might start going for it. We just started speech/feeding therapy this month. We are also starting SI therapy (although I have been doing it myself at home) with OT really soon. I am hoping that as some of her sensory issues start to improve along with the motor development that feeding will follow shortly after.

I guess I will know more as I talk with my SLP on Friday about a recommended time frame. Abbey just had major surgery. So, even though tube surgery is minimally invasive I am not looking forward to another bout of intubation (3-4 times already), x-rays (she has had over 10) and anesthesia (3 times already). Every time she is intubated we have a MAJOR set back for weeks!!!!!!!!!!!