Comments on: A Physician’s Perspective: The Feeding Tube Decision http://www.caregiving.com/2009/08/a-physicians-perspective-the-feeding-tube-decision/ Insights ~ Information ~ Inspirations Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:52:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: denise http://www.caregiving.com/2009/08/a-physicians-perspective-the-feeding-tube-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-8984 denise Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:56:14 +0000 http://www.caregiving.com/?p=2861#comment-8984 Hi Louise--Glad to hear from you--thanks for sharing your positive experience. As you note, the key to a decision about feeding tubes is their purpose--are they a temporary and appropriate treatment, as Dr. Ginsberg describes? Or, are they life-sustaining (a treatment that serves to prolong life without reversing the underlying medical condition), and in sustaining, cause discomfort? At life's end, feeding tubes go against the natural dying process. I just added a <a href="http://www.growthhouse.org/educate/flash/mortals/layouts/frameset1.html" rel="nofollow">great resource</a> to the post which provides insights into the dying process. I'm so glad you posted because you've reminded me of one other suggestion: Before agreeing to a feeding tube, be sure to discuss with your care recipient's doctor all the "What if?" questions. In particular, ask the physician: If my care recipient's condition unexpectedly deteriorates, can we remove the feeding tube? The question of removing a feeding tube was the heart of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terri_Schiavo_case" rel="nofollow">Terry Shiavo battle</a>. Often times, the answer to this question will help you determine the best course of action. Hi Louise–Glad to hear from you–thanks for sharing your positive experience. As you note, the key to a decision about feeding tubes is their purpose–are they a temporary and appropriate treatment, as Dr. Ginsberg describes? Or, are they life-sustaining (a treatment that serves to prolong life without reversing the underlying medical condition), and in sustaining, cause discomfort? At life’s end, feeding tubes go against the natural dying process. I just added a great resource to the post which provides insights into the dying process.

I’m so glad you posted because you’ve reminded me of one other suggestion: Before agreeing to a feeding tube, be sure to discuss with your care recipient’s doctor all the “What if?” questions. In particular, ask the physician: If my care recipient’s condition unexpectedly deteriorates, can we remove the feeding tube? The question of removing a feeding tube was the heart of the Terry Shiavo battle. Often times, the answer to this question will help you determine the best course of action.

]]> By: Louise Morman http://www.caregiving.com/2009/08/a-physicians-perspective-the-feeding-tube-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-8971 Louise Morman Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:52:45 +0000 http://www.caregiving.com/?p=2861#comment-8971 I think this article is more an article about end of life than feeding tubes. In my experience feeding tubes provide a great way to get nourishment which is extremely important. There are many people that have illnesses that do not need to be terminal. Having good nutrition is important in beating the complications of illness and long hospital stays. And as far as comfort goes---tubes in the nose aren't pleasant. My mother had a feeding tube for over 6 months before she recovered and it was key to her recovery. Louise M. Morman Founder Eldercare Learnings I think this article is more an article about end of life than feeding tubes.

In my experience feeding tubes provide a great way to get nourishment which is extremely important. There are many people that have illnesses that do not need to be terminal. Having good nutrition is important in beating the complications of illness and long hospital stays. And as far as comfort goes—tubes in the nose aren’t pleasant. My mother had a feeding tube for over 6 months before she recovered and it was key to her recovery.

Louise M. Morman
Founder
Eldercare Learnings

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