Introduction to nasogastric tube feeding at home

Into our sitting room walks the friendliest chatty lady.  Armed with a Hessian Tesco shopping bag, not filled with shopping, not bearing gifts of food parcels,   And no lovely sweets to munch.  Instead there were items that were unfamiliar to Steve and me.

Steve and I sat together on the sofa like a couple of school kids niavely watching in anticipation.  Gwen, the nurse specialist methodically explained the whole process.  She was very thorough and hands on.  Carefully telling us how to set up the pump, what tube to use, checking the ph level, flushing the feed tube.   After an hour or so of first time training Gwen left.  She gave us an abundance of literature to read through.  We both felt fairly confident in using the pump and setting up the feed.

Thursday morning came.  Steve and I arrived at the hospital early.  Time for a hot chocolate and malt loaf at the hospital cafe.  We toddled up to the ward.  Lovely nurse Stacey was waiting for us.  She took us to a designated room.  She came in with a loaded trolley. Amongst other things on it was the tube  and a cup of water with a straw.    I asked how I should sit on the large comfortable chair.  The nurse was very reassuring and said I was to sit in whatever way I wanted and she would work round me.  I got comfortable the nurse measured the length of the tube against me and then was instructed to rest my chin on my chest.

The procedure was just about to begin.  She lubricated the tube and then inserted it into my right nostril.  I’m not going to lie, I felt nervous.  As the tube was pushed in I felt this pain up my nose.  It was as if a bee had stung me.  I remember saying oh that feels awful, rather sore up my nose.  Simultaneously the nurse said we are in the back of your throat and ready for you to take a sip of water.  As I drank from the straw the tube was fed down.  I knew co-operating would make swallowing the tube much less painful and it would all get done a lot quicker.   Voila – it had now entered my stomach.  Carefully the nurse secured the tube to my face.  A large plaster covering 90% of my nose and a transparent dressing on my right cheek. Now to check the placement – the nurse put the syringe on the end of the tube and started to draw some contents from my tummy.  Nothing.  Oh !  Of we went to X-ray to check where the tube had gone.  Had to make sure it had gone into my stomach and not entered a lung.   The guide wire had to be left in.  This would give an accurate image on the X-ray.  The great thing with modern technology is by the time we were back at the ward the doctor had seen the X-ray on the computer in the ward.  Great news it was in the right place.  Steve got me some orange juice, I drank it.  Fingers crossed we would get some contents now to check the ph level.  As the nurse drew up the syringe some of the orange juice I had just drank was now in it.  Carefully she squirted some fluid onto one of the strips.  Waited for it to change colour then compared it to the chart.  Ph level 4.  Perfect.

My dietician came to the ward to see us.  We had a frank discussion.  She explained all about building up my tube feed.  Gave us lots of good literature, together with do’s and don’t’s.  Also very useful telephone numbers just in case I need help.

I had a constant pressure in the back of my throat and my nose was really hurting by this time.  I was reassured this was all normal and would ease.  We left the hospital and headed home.

The next morning the district nurse arrived, basically to check in on me and give me support, change face dressing.  The plaster on my nose was stuck firmly.  With a bit of gentle tugging and pulling she got the plaster of and checked the measurement.  Good news the tube has not moved.

For the first few days I have to feed through the tube for 10 hours during the day.  Gradually building up the speed of the pump, allowing me to get more feed each time.  The feed is peptamen.  It’s partly digested and appears to be the best formula for my tummy.

Four days later and all is going better than I hoped.  My body is tolerating the formula.  I can confidently set up and use the pump, draw fluid from my tummy and check ph level, and can flush my tube.

My nose is still uncomfortable and my throat is now much less sore than it was even yesterday.   It wasn’t the easiest procedure I’ve had.   However a combination of keeping calm, a good clinician and having my hubby was my biggest asset.