Chad Kunis Update Page

During the night Chads feeding tube came partially out. I called after hours care immediately and was advised to call home health office when it opened in the morning at 8:30. It had always been my understanding the a GI tube needed to be reinserted fairly quickly or the opening could be compromised and may require a surgical procedure to replace. The advise nurse said that even if I were to take him to the ER in the middle of the night, they wouldn't have a surgeon until morning anyway! The morning required numerous phone calls to get anywhere. I was first given voice mail to leave a message. I contacted the nurse that used to be Chads home health nurse (until he was discharged from home health). She was on vacation but helped anyway. She called me back saying that Chad could not go to the Gastroenterology (GI) clinic because the insurance would not cover it. He went there last March for tube replacement! She made more calls and said that the head of the GI department said Chad had to go to ER because his tube was partially out! Ambulance transport was arranged. After being in the ER for awhile, the Dr. came in, looked at the tube, said he was going to call the GI clinic to see what they want him to do. AFter some time, a nurse came in and said that the GI clinic wanted Chad brought to the clinic!! After some discussion, a nurse endoscopist came to the ER from the clinic and replaced the tube. X-Ray's were taked to check placement. The nurse said that the stomach acid breaks down the balloon that holds the tube in place in 6 months to a year. I inquired about replacement prior to rupture as preventative, but he said that is not done and replace when tube is no longer viable. The tube is Chad's only means of hydration, feeding and medicating...his life line.

Chad did really well throughout the entire ordeal. He stayed relaxed, some smiles and a few laughs. As always, the paramedics from AMR were super. They always treat Chad with kindness and dignity.

posted by Get Well Chad @ 9:18 AM