7/22/09 – 2:00 p.m. – Update from Sue

Dad has stabilized (as far as things like blood clots and fevers and infections and gout, etc. go) to the point where the doctors are talking about alternative care options. He is still on the ventilator, however, which limits his options.

With that in mind, the doctors have decided to insert a feeding tube called a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube into his stomach. He’s been on a feeding tube through his nasal passageway, which is customary for short-term use, but for those patients who require longer use of the tube, it is common to place the tube directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall. The surgery is simple and involves little risk or discomfort. The procedure itself only takes about 20 minutes.

Otherwise there is no change in Dad’s condition today.