Mr. Gage continues to do well at home overall. He's only ripped out his NG tube one more time since the last post. His reflux has been the biggest problem so far. He spits up nearly twice a day and it's got us worried that he may not be getting enough calories or electrolytes. He's just so sensitive when he's feeding or has a full stomach. Lay him down and he hurls. Sit him up right and he's sure to spill everything. We took him to the hospital on Saturday for some lab work so that they could determine whether he was deficient on anything.
The visit lasted three hours and Gage was poked six different times with no success drawing the amount of blood needed to complete the tests. It wore him out and he didn't act like himself for the rest of the afternoon. We always try to give a heads up that Gage is a "tough stick." It seems nearly impossible to draw blood from the hands or feet. Anyone new to Gage that try's, seems to think they have the magic touch. Unfortunately Gage proves them wrong. An hour of needles poking around in his veins is torture enough for us all.
Gage is currently on a halter monitor since the last time apparently didn't return good data. He's scheduled for a swallow study some time in the near future and we're expecting the switch from his NG tube to the G tube. I hate the thought of another surgical procedure so soon after being home but I think it's time for his nose and throat to take a break from the NG tube. Maybe he'll be more inclined to oral feeds again.
The photos above were taken when Gage went back on 1/15 to have his NJ tube placed again.