Tube Talk
Thank you to everyone who sent material for the "Tube Talk" column. Anyone who is interested in participating can send their tips, questions and thoughts about tube feeding to: Tube Talk, c/o The Oley Foundation, 214 Hun Memorial MC-28, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208; or E-mail DahlR@mail.amc.edu. Information shared in this column represents the experience of that individual and should not imply endorsement by the Oley Foundation. The Foundation strongly encourages readers to discuss any suggestions with their physician and/or wound care nurse before making any changes in their care.
Dressing More Comfortable
I am on my 12th j-tube. I originally had a g-tube but due to GERD, a new j-tube site was put in. The wound care nurse who has been helping me over the years has come up with many good ideas and we have finally found a combination that really works for me. I am using an Exu-Dry Wound Dressing with Anti-Shear Layer and a Hollister Drain/Tube Attachment Device. I have found the wound dressing much better than the foam type dressings. Due to an allergy to tape, I cut the tape off the tube attachment device, and the dressing and attachment device are held in place with a belt. Since the leakage is mostly gone and the wound has healed up, I can cut the Exu-Dry in half, thus, saving some money.
The j-tube I have now is very comfortable and has eliminated all the pain and abdominal spasms I was having with the previous tubes. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me.
— Margaret Coder, Mountlake Terrace, WA
raftmaggie99@hotmail.com
Elongated Toilet Bowl More Convenient
I’ve had an ileostomy for over 17 years which is no big deal. I’ve noticed over time that when using public restrooms, or using toilets in hospitals, that the bowls are almost always elongated, making it easier for pouch emptying because of the extended length. I’ve often thought how nice it would be to have one at home.
Well, it is very nice. Our old fixture finally needed replacement and when we went shopping for a new one, it was just as simple to get a model with an elongated bowl as the old standard round one. The elongated bowl costs a bit more — but not anything prohibitive. The convenience is worth more than any price difference. To someone without an ostomy it might not be any big deal, but to me it’s just made life a little easier and nicer. The model we got is from Kohler and it only uses 1.8 gal per flush which is better for any home septic system. We got ours at Home Depot.
— Bonnie Sjoberg, Milaca, MN
(320) 983-2138 or
warrensjoberg@webtv.net