Pros & cons of having a feeding tube . small tube already in place . Drs suggesting larger tube direct in to lower gut . what are the inplications re infection ?
my wife is eating selectivly via mouth ( hospital food , well not sure how you can heal on that ) concern is ti weight gain post secondary infection of Noro virus in recovery from bone marrow transplant ( donar)
??? any one been there ? or some wher near .
Hi Canuse my own name,
Thank you for contacting Macmillan Cancer Support. My name is David, one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
I am sorry to hear your wife has experienced complications post donor bone marrow transplant.
Tube feeding into the gut (enteral nutrition) is a way of giving nutritional fluid or feed directly into the gut through a tube regardless of size of that tube.
This type of nutritional support is designed to help improve (put weight on) and maintain your body weight.
The feeding tube you refer to sounds like a PEG or a RIG feeding tube. All these interventions carry similar benefits or common complications. For example, infection.
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of infection particularly when the body’s immune system is compromised. The quicker you inform your doctor if you believe infection is present, the better.
It is also very important to be aware of Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD). Further information on this can be found in the Anthony Nolan Trust.
They also have dedicated information and support for patients and families and a patients and families forum where people share similar experiences.
If there is anything else we can help you with please feel free to get back in touch.
Best wishes
David, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
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