If you have a tubie or are a tubie, you know how difficult it can be at times.
It is the best love hate relationship you are going to have in your medical life.
Loving that it is soo easy to give those nasty tasting meds, love that you can make sure that the correct amount of fluids are being received, that you have a direct way to get food while being sick and the biggest love factor of all – LIFE!
There are so many things that fall under the “hate” category that putting it in writing is difficult. But a few at the top of my list are: The falling out because the balloon popped, getting pulled out, clogging, lack of tummy time, x-rays, explanations to people, rude stares, being overly loud when you thank someone for asking a question instead of being worried you will be offended by a question.
I currently have a down and out tubie, so I took the opportunity to capture how I setup a feeding for a sick tubie so the best sleep can be achieved and the I can get as closed of a circuit as I can.
Note: Some of the items come from previous uses which I will be also be posting about.
I am not offering any medical advice, only allowing others into our lives to see how we handle the different obstacles we face. Always consult with your doctor for any medical questions or concerns. IF this system is used incorrectly you could cause injury or death. DO NOT leave a tubie unattended while using these or other extensions as entanglement can occur.
Links for products will be at the very end of this post.
This is what I start with:
1) New 60 ML syringe, Clean glass of water, a previously used vent set (discussed in another post), small Y adaptor, closed circuit adaptor, kangaroo extension, food bag, and scissors. (See Picture Reference #1 below)
2) I cut the old vent line to remove the clamp, which I then place onto the kangaroo extension. It is easier to put on if you start threading from the open end as seen in the picture. (See Picture Reference #2 below)
3) Next is the tiny Y port. This is great to get the closed end when the food goes back into the fridge as well as giving meds without getting close enough to wake them up (See Picture Reference #3 below)
4) Now for one of my favorite new little treasures. The Dale ACE adaptor. It creates a way to flush (with a 60 ML syringe) without touching the sleeping tubie AND without opening that circuit we are trying to keep closed!!! BONUS in my book!! (See Picture Reference #4 below)
5) Another SUPER IMPORTANT step: Filling the line – We DON’T want to add air into that tubies tummy – note the syringe placement and the swivel lock placement. All ports are closed so there is no leakage, clamp is undone and water flushed through. (See Picture Reference #5 below)
6) One last step before hooking it up to your tubie and the food pump you are using. (See Picture Reference #6 below)
Now you can let your tubie sleep peacefully (ONLY under supervision!), have less concern about external junk getting in and still be able to monitor them.
I would Love to hear what you have found to work for you!
EXTREME IMPORTANT NOTE!!!!!!
This WILL make the line a LOT longer and if your tubie rolls around, there is a HUGE risk of entanglement. DO NOT use this system if you will not be right there to monitor them. DO NOT use this at night while you are sleeping ONLY under direct supervision.
DISCLAIMER:
If you choose to use any of the options I discuss throughout my website, I can not be held liable for any negative outcomes from lack of supervision, misuse, or any other reason. I am only opening our lives to show how we have learned to handle a difficult situation and make our lives a little less medical as well as less stressful.
Since creating this post - the bags have changed a couple of times. This is setup is still fully possible with the new bages either slip tip or entral feeding bags.
It is the best love hate relationship you are going to have in your medical life.
Loving that it is soo easy to give those nasty tasting meds, love that you can make sure that the correct amount of fluids are being received, that you have a direct way to get food while being sick and the biggest love factor of all – LIFE!
There are so many things that fall under the “hate” category that putting it in writing is difficult. But a few at the top of my list are: The falling out because the balloon popped, getting pulled out, clogging, lack of tummy time, x-rays, explanations to people, rude stares, being overly loud when you thank someone for asking a question instead of being worried you will be offended by a question.
I currently have a down and out tubie, so I took the opportunity to capture how I setup a feeding for a sick tubie so the best sleep can be achieved and the I can get as closed of a circuit as I can.
Note: Some of the items come from previous uses which I will be also be posting about.
I am not offering any medical advice, only allowing others into our lives to see how we handle the different obstacles we face. Always consult with your doctor for any medical questions or concerns. IF this system is used incorrectly you could cause injury or death. DO NOT leave a tubie unattended while using these or other extensions as entanglement can occur.
Links for products will be at the very end of this post.
This is what I start with:
1) New 60 ML syringe, Clean glass of water, a previously used vent set (discussed in another post), small Y adaptor, closed circuit adaptor, kangaroo extension, food bag, and scissors. (See Picture Reference #1 below)
2) I cut the old vent line to remove the clamp, which I then place onto the kangaroo extension. It is easier to put on if you start threading from the open end as seen in the picture. (See Picture Reference #2 below)
3) Next is the tiny Y port. This is great to get the closed end when the food goes back into the fridge as well as giving meds without getting close enough to wake them up (See Picture Reference #3 below)
4) Now for one of my favorite new little treasures. The Dale ACE adaptor. It creates a way to flush (with a 60 ML syringe) without touching the sleeping tubie AND without opening that circuit we are trying to keep closed!!! BONUS in my book!! (See Picture Reference #4 below)
5) Another SUPER IMPORTANT step: Filling the line – We DON’T want to add air into that tubies tummy – note the syringe placement and the swivel lock placement. All ports are closed so there is no leakage, clamp is undone and water flushed through. (See Picture Reference #5 below)
6) One last step before hooking it up to your tubie and the food pump you are using. (See Picture Reference #6 below)
Now you can let your tubie sleep peacefully (ONLY under supervision!), have less concern about external junk getting in and still be able to monitor them.
I would Love to hear what you have found to work for you!
EXTREME IMPORTANT NOTE!!!!!!
This WILL make the line a LOT longer and if your tubie rolls around, there is a HUGE risk of entanglement. DO NOT use this system if you will not be right there to monitor them. DO NOT use this at night while you are sleeping ONLY under direct supervision.
DISCLAIMER:
If you choose to use any of the options I discuss throughout my website, I can not be held liable for any negative outcomes from lack of supervision, misuse, or any other reason. I am only opening our lives to show how we have learned to handle a difficult situation and make our lives a little less medical as well as less stressful.
Since creating this post - the bags have changed a couple of times. This is setup is still fully possible with the new bages either slip tip or entral feeding bags.