Mom is 81 & has gastroparesis (from hernia surgery) & feeding tube which keeps clogging. She is malnourished since liquid nutrition isn't working & health is rapidly declining. She is in hospital for 4th time to unclog tube & doctors have run out of options. She is very weak & has no advance directives. Our hearts are breaking but we are now at the point that if tube clogs again, do we unclog or just let nature take its course. Anyone have experience?
(Every patient is different).
You can also look into "Palliative Care" which would include clearing the feeding tube.
Others have looked into Dr. Atul Gawandi who can be found in books, but also
Youtube videos online. He is a surgeon, with ideas to meet the patient where they are at. Not at all what I imagined.
Are they having you try to push puréed food down it..... or is the liquid clogging it. Or it it not being sufficiently flushed because of fluid restriction? or what?
You(family) need to be asking that question
My siblings and I are dreading that type of decision. Mother is 93 with advanced progressive dementia .. vascular, Alzheimers and FTD. Three times in 8 months we have had to confirm that she is DNR because the doctors thought she was on her way out, 3 times she has rallied, a little slower, a little more confused, a little more unpredictable each time. IVs are routinely pulled out when in hospital, as are catheters. Refusal to eat or take meds is the norm. Has lost over 22kgs ...over 40 pds since beginning of year.
The time is looming when we are going to have to make the heart breaking decision like you Rosesred4. Do we allow use of a feeding tube, which she will keep pulling out, let alone a breathing tube.My mother has always said she could be 106 and a vegetable, but still wanted to be resuscitated because while there is life there is hope. Going against her wishes is part of our nightmare.
I wish you courage and strength to make the decision which is in your mothers best interests, Redroses4.