PEG Tube

Before Pa can be transferred to rehab, the feeding tube through his nose has to be replaced with one that goes directly into his abdomen. It's called a PEG tube, short for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

The procedure was done this afternoon. The new tube isn't supposed to be used till tomorrow morning, so I thought the old tube through his nose will be left in place till they can use the new tube. But the doctor took out the old tube. That became a problem because the old tube was also being used to deliver his meds. The nurses would crush his tablets, add a little water, and give the meds to him through the tube. Pa was in pain after the procedure, and there was no way to give him Vicodin. It took a long time to get hold of a doctor. The nurse finally reached a doctor who gave the okay to use the PEG tube to give him meds. At last Pa got relief from his pain, but it took a couple of hours.

Tomorrow, Pa will be transferred to Herrick Rehab. It's owned by Alta Bates Summit, the same hospital where Pa is now, but it's in Berkeley instead of Oakland. Dorothy said they usually have a waiting list, so Pa is lucky to get in right away.