The past 24 hours have probably been some of the worst of this whole ordeal, and that’s saying something.
After how horrible the NG tube placement experience was yesterday, I immediately started internally fretting about how he was going to go through it again a month or so from now during his next course of chemo.
Then fretting about the future turned to dread in the present when we learned this morning that Tyler’s NG tube was discovered to have been misplaced, with nothing going through it. Rather than going into his stomach, it was kinked and coiled back up into his esophagus.
This is likely why the placement was originally so difficult and traumatic for him.
Today was spent waiting for x-ray results, GI consults, and trying various methods to work out the kink, to no avail – he ended up throwing up the tube.
The very thought of having to go through the placement of another NG tube gripped both Tyler and me with fear and anxiety, and we had a day full of frustration, anger, and emotional meltdowns (the latter were mostly mine).
I can’t tell you how much respect I have for my son – he faced down his fear and agreed to have another tube inserted tonight. Honestly, he coped better than his mother did. This time they tried a different medication which resulted in more relaxation for him, and the procedure went smoothly.
He is now sleeping comfortably.
Tomorrow they will x-ray him again to ensure its placement is accurate. All this has meant a critical delay in his medication and nutrition. And despite many hits on his pain pump, his pain from mucositis continues to be acute.
I am in awe of Tyler’s inner strength in the face of such adversity.
Ron is sick again – a bad relapse from his original respiratory infection. Please pray for complete healing for him and that this time I don’t get sick as well!
This past week has stretched all of us so thin. After tonight, I feel like we can again see light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you for your prayers. While I don’t understand why Tyler had to suffer so unnecessarily for the past day, we both felt God’s presence.