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My mother is not eating if she does it's only a spoonful of food she is asking for all kinds of food too. Healing from 5 broken ribs and now the doctors says she needs a feeding tube I am undecided she weighs only 95lbs. Need advice on the feeding tube??

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Please let us know what health conditions your mother is dealing with and how old she is? Have you asked if the feeding tube is seen as a temporary measure or if it will be from now on? Can mom express her thoughts on having it? My mom had one for four years after a stroke. It was placed after a team of doctors told us it would be temporary until she recovered with therapy. After much therapy, there was no recovery. As she was awake, aware, and mentally intact, no one would discontinue the feeding tube. Had we known no recovery would happen, it would never have been placed. It’s a hard spot to be in, often with no easy “one size fits all” answer. Knowing more about your mom would help, and I do wish you both much peace
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My husband had surgery in August on his throat and they placed a feeding tube because he couldn't swallow. We are now 9 months in and keeps getting infections and going back in the hospital. I don't want to sound like a doom's day person but if we had to do it again we wouldn't.

Best of luck to you and your family. Prayer's being sent your way.
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My daughter is an RN and she does not think a feeding tube should be used to keep someone alive after a certain age. Especially if its not going to improve the persons quality of life. Does she have a health directive, a living Will, where she says what she wants or does want? Her age has a lot to do with how I answer this question. And her health in general. If she is in her 80s or 90s, I don't think I would use a feeding tube. I think I would just call in hospice and let nature take its course.
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I am an old retired RN, M. My own advance directive has for DECADES now forbidden any sort of feeding tube EVER be placed in my body. I have declined any artificial feedings by NG, PEG or IV. I do not wish to sustain life in this manner.

You best know your mother and her wishes. If she is unable to express her own wishes now then you must, knowing her and her history, decide if she would want to be kept alive in this manner. Is this a good quality of life?

I would decline the doctors suggestion, as for hospice now, and keep mother as comfortable as you are able for this last journey. Do also understand that there are many side effects of NG feeding, diarrhea, aspiration to lungs, bedsores, discofort. To me it is needless torment and absolute torture.

I wish you the best in this your decision.
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How old is she?
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I mean it seems she wants to eat. As others have asked how old is she and is this a temporary thing. Is it painful for her eat bc of the broken ribs?


My mom who is 80 has a tube bc she developed dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and we are able to manage it fine. Some considerations might be does she have anyone who can assist with feedings? Will she be able to withstand the insertion of the tube (if by a GI under anesthesia, if by interventional radiology endoscopically which my mom said was very uncomfortable) or would it be a nasal tube which could be temporary until she gains weight and would she tolerate that OK.


Hope that helps.
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