I did not take the easy way out!! In fact the feeding tube is harder than just sitting your kid down to eat. First there is the logistics of trying to continously feed or bolus feed a very active toddler. Also the clean up and calorie make up if u accidently feed the bed and not your kiddo. Or the fact that if your out of town you can't just run to the local grocer if u run out of formula. When I traveled to AZ, I actually had to have my dme supplier ship cases of formula there and I won't even go into the trouble of flying with a feeding pump and formula. Also if you're out past supper u can't just swing into the nearest fast food joint and feed your kid.
If the tube gets clogged u have to figure out how to unclog it. You always have to have a spare tube in case, God forbid your child's tube comes out. Oh and then when u do change the tube out, you have to deal with a very upset child who is crying, screaming, hitting, and yelling at you.
Most of us have tried every other option out there before deciding on a feeding tube. Yes, I've tried chocolate, candy, ice cream, cake, jello....no she still won't eat it.
And I am here to tell you that going through an intensive feeding program to teach our children how to eat is no walk in the park. In fact for me and my tubie it was 10 weeks of pure HELL!! But so worth it in the end.
Just as her tube was worth it. No more scarring to her already horribly scarred trachea and esphogus. No more fighting fcr her to suck even an ounce of milk from a bottle. Easier breathing and no longer suction milk from the trach. Weight gain, brain growth, developmental growth, and much more.
My tubie can still swim, do gymnastics, play outside, go sledding, and just be a "normal" 6 yr old. Oh and because of the tube, she is 6 yrs old and not 6 feet under.
Hmmmm.....easy way out, no!! Easy decision, HELL YES!!!
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