<p>Ithink it is is so hard to decide when you should go. My D had a concussion and I debated. She was ok, but kept feeling that I should have gone. I know a bowel obstruction is worse, but it is such a fine line. I have read other posts from you, you are a great mom, and if/when you are needed you will know.</p>
<p>^^^^It’s so hard to know. D2 came down with pneumonia just a couple of weeks after arriving at school. Apparently a fair number of freshmen at her school also had it. I wanted to hop on a plane the moment I heard. However, the doctors did not feel she needed to be hospitalized. D2 told me I was sweet to offer, but she just wanted to take her meds and sleep. DH felt I was overreacting a bit as we were already planning to come in the next week for a football game. So I reluctantly resisted the urge to rush to her. I checked on her twice a day and was ready to race to the airport if she got any worse, but all turned out okay and though still very tired, she has improved so much that I don’t have that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach anymore. I think any mother would find it hard to stifle those urges to swoop in and take care, monitor, assess. Being a nurse made it even just a tad harder, I think. I know too much…</p>
<p>We all do the best that we know how. Just as our kids are feeling their way to independence, we are feeling our way in how to let go, when to let go, and when to step in. I don’t feel it would have been the “wrong” decision to go to her, but it also worked out okay (this time) to stay put.</p>
<p>Sigh. Thanks, all you moms.</p>
<p>Edited to add: If it happens again, I’m on the next flight.</p>
<p>^^^^^And no one would blame you!</p>
<p>Glad he’s doing better. I’ve had to put in NG tubes, and I just hate doing it. I can only imagine what it’s like to be at the other end of it. Not fun.</p>
<p>Nrdsb4, are you a doctor?</p>
<p>^^^^absolutely not. Merely a nurse. My background is cardiology ICU and now, GI lab. But I’m just now learning the GI thing, though putting in NG tubes is something any nurse can be called on to do.</p>
<p>PLEASE do not say “merely” a nurse. In many situations I would want your skills and expertise!</p>
<p>So why can’t someone invent a better NG tube? One that isn’t so miserable for the entire time someone has it in?</p>
<p>DS told me they spray the back of his throat with some numbing stuff before they put the tube in. I suggested a sedative so he wouldn’t fight it. </p>
<p>Nrdsb4, why is it so miserable??</p>
<p>I agree, you visit only if they want you to. We always check. Most of the time D. does not time for our visits. I believe that when D. got sick she was afraid to be alone, she did not object at least, so I went because I was afraid that she is so hesitant to go to emergency, making no sense as she knows more than most that person can die of dehydration and you would expect a better response from a Med. Student.</p>
<p>Glad he is doing better, VH. Its so hard to decide wheter to fly there to be with them or not. We will always be moms and our mom instinct will always kick in. That isn’t a bad thing.</p>
<p>When older s broke his leg and had the titanium rod inserted, DH flew back with him from our vacation location to his college and spent a day or so getting him set up. The school was great with getting a scooter, etc, and his roommates were wonderful, so he was well taken care of. Its harder when they are on their own or in grad school, where the support system may be a little looser.</p>
<p>If it happens again (g-d forbid) and you feel like you want to be there, go. You base your decsion on the information available to you at the time. Then you don’t have to second guess the decision you make.</p>
<p>Veryhappy-- good question. Pediatrician here. The problem I think is trying to get a good sized tube so that you can get good suction if needed (the NG tube can be used for decompressing the stomach, like in an obstruction, because air is uncomfortable for someone with an obstruction), sometimes no suction needed but you want the air to have an escape route. Sometimes, esp with kids, you need to feed via the tube. Then we use a super skinny, flexible one that is less uncomfortable. Sometimes you need a huge one (like in “pumping someone’s stomach” which is a misnomer) so you can suck out toxins or stomach contents so the patient doesn’t aspirate into their lungs. </p>
<p>It’s always a balance trying to find the smallest one that will do the trick. If it happens again, see if the tube is silastic and ask if it can be the smallest one possible. That might help. Or, once he is stable, see if they can change a bigger tube to a smaller one. He’ll have to go through the placement of it again, ugh :(, but may be able to be slightly more comfortable if it’s feasible.</p>
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<p>Traditionally, they didn’t use sedation because they want the patient to participate (have to swallow while they insert it to help it get down and into proper position), and they don’t want them to vomit and aspirate before insertion is complete (more likely with a patient who is both having GI issues and is sedated) because that can cause aspiration pneumonia-a potentially fatal condition. As uncomfortable as it is, the insertion procedure is still a pretty quick one (most of the time).</p>
<p>I did see a reference to a study looking at sedation with NGT placement, so maybe now they are moving in that direction in the hospitals. I’m out of that arena now, so I may not be up on current practice with this regard.</p>
<p>Son just called me. He had rugby practice tonight and is now feeling very sharp stomach pains. Not yet worthy of going to the hospital, but very sharp pains. He has his follow-up appointment tomorrow morning from the last episode. He’s very worried and scared.</p>
<p>As am I.</p>
<p>Hoping for the best, VH</p>
<p>oh man, I hope it is just gas or something minor .</p>
<p>Maybe he should go to the ER now, instead of waiting til the morning?</p>
<p>VeryHappy, I pm’d you</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. He doesn’t think it is yet ER-worthy. He has had pains from adhesions for years. I hope that’s “all” it is and not a full-blown obstruction.</p>
<p>Hugs to you. Sending good vibes…</p>
<p>Well darn. Crossing my fingers that it’s not serious.</p>
<p>It is really good that he has his follow-up appointment tomorrow morning. Hopefully this will lighten his worries this evening as he knows he will be seen in the morning. If he becomes concerned, I would suggest that he reaches out to the on call doc before heading to the ER. They could address his concerns or pave the way for an easy admit to the ER if need be. Good luck, and take care! It is so hard to be far away!</p>