On June 16th the hubbie and I finally got the diagnosis we weren’t quite prepared to hear for KEM (9 yr. old son) – Crohn’s Disease.  There was still one test that needed to be done in order to reach an area of KEM’s small intestine and colon but that could wait until after the biopsy results came in.  Those biopsy results came in on June 20th and the team of GI Doctors, along with the Nutritionist, gave us all the news that KEM would need an NG feeding tube for 8-10 weeks.  For that time period he would also need to follow a very strict, 300 calorie, diet.

KEM cried at hearing the idea that he was going to need the feeding tube but in the course of the discussion he realized the need for it and especially over the summer instead of during the school year.   (That doesn’t mean though that he won’t have it for the start of school – but we are trying to be optimistic.)  The feeding tube insertion day was scheduled for June 23rd.  Enough time to let the anxiety build up but also enough time to get some education for KEM and KMM (5 yr. old daughter).

NG tube insertion day came and went relatively painless.  We were all, especially KEM, mentally exhausted as we left the hospital.  The whole process was hard but the hardest was inserting the tube into KEM’s nose.  KEM started to cry and then I, of course, started to as well.  I stepped out of the room to collect myself and then came back in and sat on the hospital bed with him.  I told him that I was sorry because “I know I am about to hurt you a little bit but please understand I am only doing it because it will make you healthy again.”  I then asked him to close his eyes while I started to insert the tube.

I crushed it – I got it in on the first try. No doubting myself. I went full speed ahead and did it. I did however, have a little issue with the metal piping from the tube (have to pull it out so the formula can run through the tube) but I’m glad it happened while we were at the hospital because we were able to troubleshoot it there with the nurses.  KEM was soo amazing!  He was very uncomfortable for the rest of the night but other than that he was a ROCK STAR!

Then off we drove for home and in search of ways to adjust to this new experience…..