Responses from the ALS team at UCSF

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I’m better. Still uncomfortable but my hubby is with me and does a great job getting me to bathroom, etc. waiting for instructions on how to feed. Should be out by Friday they say!
 
Good news and a perspective to be home for the weekend! :)
 
Well, procedure done by midnight on Tuesday. At least that’s when they tucked me in for the night. Started tube feedings on Wednesday and all went well. Continued today. Again, all ok. Targeted home on Friday afternoon. Now tonight being told I have to stay until Sunday! Blood tests all look fine, at least in my eyes no big ups or downs in anything. Told this afternoon my electrolytes are just fine. I know of no post anywhere where someone stays six days in the hospital for installing a PEG under IR with conscious sedation. All I get is “for your safety”. Any idea what specific questions to ask? My husband is staying in a motor inn but with SF rates, by Sunday we are $3000!! I’m getting panicked.
 
Yes, that seems quite excessive. Someone likely wanted to play it [very] safe given the distance from Idaho to SF. Do you have care established w/ a hospital w/ an ER there? That might be something to point out (and certainly to have done).

The last time Larry was in the hospital, we listened politely to the plan for another few days and declined it, whereupon we were politely discharged in the usual fashion -- without prejudice, you might say. Were I facing the hotel bill you are in the condition you're in, that's what I'd do. "I think we will want to be discharged on Friday, as originally planned, absent any concrete evidence that justifies changing that plan." (You can put that into words that sound like you.)

Without the courage of your conviction, they don't need to justify the change of heart.

Best,
Laurie
 
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All here know that we also have a home in Chico California which is 3 hours from SF. We have Enloe Hospital which is a trauma Center for the five surrounding counties. I like your suggestion. Will run it by my husband tomorrow morning. I really think once they change the dressing and feed me tomorrow morning, should be fine. I do need to see the case manager to see how to get supplies. She may not even work the weekends! You have given me a starting tool and I greatly appreciate it
 
You must both be so exhausted with the back and forth of this place! Get to the bottom of this, mayb also let your husband talk to the docs and tell him about your grieves. If you worry about cost that won't help with recovery.
They wanted to keep my boyfriend for longer than a week (11 days they suggested) after the procedure because inflammation values were up and they put him on antibiotics on iv. So there were minor complications but he already had slightly increased values the week before he got the peg. He so hoped to leave on Friday and was so destroyed when they wanted to tie him down for another week. I told him to speak his mind about staying there longer, he did in no uncertain terms, that he would completely lose his mind. The doctor heard him and made the deal to stay through the weekend, have two more rounds of antibiotics on Monday and then be discharged.
You are free to leave at any moment, it's not a prison. If you feel comfortable enough traveling three hours you can check out like Laurie suggested. If it's just because they haven't had a talk with you yet about stoma care and supplies that doesn't have to stop you. Waldo's kind offer stands, you or your husband can ask any question regarding it right here, so we got your back in a new situation like this.
 
We have everything that you need short term. You will need a prescription for the formula, but we get it through Option Care delivered here. I don't know about Idaho delivery, but I'm sure they ship there also.
 
I read my postings and sound like a brat! Just hard to stay optimistic when the rug keeps getting pulled. I guess the delay is because of how much weight I lost. Want to be very cautious about giving me too much just out of the gate. Needs to get me to 375 mil, 3 times a day. I’m finally at 280. Tomorrow I should be at 375. Haven’t had any problems so maybe Sunday. Appreciate all your support! Waldo, I’m hoping that this order goes through in time to have it delivered. I’ve a friend who works at Option Care and she is looking for the orders. If not, I will take you up on your generous offer
 
You don't sound like a brat at all!
Good to hear that their interest is to cocker you up some before they release you into the wild.
 
Will I see someone about stoma care..? Haven’t so far, but they tell me a home care nurse Will come to the house probably the day I get home. Is it possible they I’ll wait for her?
 
Don't count on home health to be knowledgeable about a G tube or stoma care. While the nurse they sent out when I first got my tube was really nice, I am not sure she had ever dealt with a PEG before.

Everything I know about my tube came from research on the web. There is a really good Facebook group called Adult GTube Feeding that has an extensive repository of information under the Files some of it written by others with G tubes. Might also search for Tube Chic. Her site has a lot of good information as well.
 
That’s scary, but sure appreciate the other information sources! Heading back to my house today. Can’t wait to be in my own bed and wash my hair!! Still pretty slow and I hurt, but I’m sure that will quit soon
 
You settled in alright back home?
 
Wishmobbing, thanks for checking up on me. Yes, I’m home, showered and hair washed, and feeling much better. I thought my weight would stabilize but am down another pound. That, too, should adjust. I think I must be impatient! I’m learning about myself more and more.
 
Completely unrelated to your actual procedure or to ALS in any way, but there is NOTHING better than that feeling after having your hair washed and that layer of hospital smell washed off when you get home. Any time in my life I've gone through an operation or hospital stay, the thought of that very thing is what keeps me going. It's the little things- and clean hair and my own "smell" is pretty high on my list. Glad you are finally home and on the mend from what sounds like quite an extended stay and a confusing procedure.
 
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