What is a g-tube anyways?

Hi all :)

We've had some curious questions from people lately about Huxley's g-tube so I thought I'd write up a little post to provide some information and answers about Huxley's tube and about feeding in general. 

P.S we love when you ask us questions :) Answering them helps us to educate about kids like Huxley and then when you meet another person with cerebral palsy you'll be less uncomfortable and armed with some knowledge and understanding! 

This is what the g-tube or Mic-key button looks like :) When it is inserted, the balloon is not inflated, it gets inflated with water afterwards to hold it in place. 

Here are some of the questions we've had lately: 

1)  How does the g-tube work? 

The g-tube has a feeding port as you can see ^ and we attach an extension tube by lining up two lines, pushing in, and twisting. 

We attach a syringe full of food into the feed port ^ un-clamp the tube and push the syringe end to push food into his tummy :) 

2) What does he get fed through his tube? 

We feed Huxley everything through his tube! Many people with tubes are fed a formula based diet, but we decided to blend up real food and liquids for Hux, and we are pretty stoked on that decision :) We have a heavy duty Blendtec blender that liquefies everything so that its a smooth consistency to push through the tube. We also love the tube because we can easily give Huxley all of his medications through the tube and that's great because no toddler likes the taste of unflavoured medicine. 

3) Do you need to change his g-tube? Can you do that yourself? 

Yes his tube needs to be changed every six months or so and we've been taught how to change it ourselves. I've done it three times now! It's easy peasy and fast.

4) Do you need to keep his tube site sterile? 

No, his site needs to be bathed like every other part of his body but it doesn't have to be sterile. 

5) Does the tube limit him from doing anything? 

Nope! Huxley can swim, lay on his tummy etc. We don't have to take extra precautions with his tube :) 

6) Can Huxley still eat by mouth?

Yes! Huxley LOVES to eat by mouth. Right now he's eating yogurt, cheese, and chocolate by mouth. We still have troubles giving him liquids by mouth and no one can survive on those three foods alone haha. It's perfectly fine for him to be fed both ways though :)

7) Can the g-tube be removed? When will Huxley's tube be removed? 

G-tubes can indeed be removed. Huxley will likely always have his g-tube. I want you to know that we are completely fine with it and you don't have to feel bad about it :) Huxley will always be on some sort of medication to manage muscle tone challenges caused by cerebral palsy and we would much much much rather give it to him through his tube then in his mouth. If Huxley is ill and not wanting to eat or drink, we can tube feed him which will help him heal faster and we can prevent dehydration. Feeding him is a breeze compared to the hour + it used to take to get food into his tummy. Seriously, the tube is awesome. 

Please ask us any other questions :) 

Thanks for learning along side of us 

xoxo