And the virtict is...
@kaylachan (79876)
Daytona Beach, Florida
October 9, 2025 1:20pm CST
...we still don't know...
The person we met with, agrees that the tube needs to come out. weather or not the doctor leaves out or replaces it is yet to be determined. The biggest concern the doctors have is dehydration. His hydration was up enough that his blood preasure was in normal ranges,but he doesn't drink enough. They want him drinking a lot more water, and I mean a lot. They also said he could get away with one meal a day, and grazing occassionally, if he drinks the other two. Suggested I push the nutritionist for a flavored alternitive that he can drink. But, he's got to be willing to put in the work.
I knew he's not taking enough, I don't have to be a doctor to know that. I see how he drinks. He tends to sip, and then forget about it for hours, before taking another sip. The more active he is, the more frequent he'll sip at his drinks.
They told him he could have one pepsi a day, but they also don't seem to understand, that the way he drinks, a full glass of pepsi lasts easily 12 hours. So, by those standards, he's getting next to nothing.
And, it's frusterating, because despite his speach, he is cognisant and self-aware enough he's still able to make his own decisions.
8 people like this
8 responses
@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Oct
I know you're not American, but that's common around here. We often drink when we're thirsty, and think we're doing enough because liquids canfill you up. But, signs of dehydration aren't always obvious, and after last night.... I wonder if I'm doing enough.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23h
@LadyDuck I think they had good intentions at the time. They also didn't know a whole alot about diet, either. You can also get water in other places, so that's also something to consider. Coffee and tea have a water base, foods like watermellon, pickles and cuucombers are also water-based.
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@LadyDuck (484743)
• Italy
11 Oct
@kaylachan - I am Italian and our ancestors always told us "if you are not thirsty, do not drink". Now we know that, as you age, often you do not realize that your body needs water. I make a big effort trying to drink more.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (197286)
• United States
9 Oct
I think you need to probably put up reminders for him..tube out equals drink more. So it is notalways you in his ear or get him one of those inspirational water bottles or something .with the drink lines marked on it .if he won't drink water some kind of hydrating beverage could go in there
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@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Oct
le not ideal, its hydradating.
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@celticeagle (180549)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Oct
It must be very frustrating for him. But safety first.
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@celticeagle (180549)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Oct
@kaylachan .......That long peg tube does sound awful. I see why he wants that stuff out.
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@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Oct
@celticeagle It's required for placment and stoma healing, but after the stoma heals, then you can typically get a button tube. If insurance worked better of course. There are times, I wish we lived in Japan, or any country with universal health care. I wouldn't be waiting ages for treatment.
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@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Oct
It has to be. I think he hates more than anything the long peg tube, because it mobes in the stoma and he has to always worry about it snagging and pulling. So far, none of that's happened, but we don't want to risk it.
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@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Oct
It just depends on how motivated he is to get this done.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (89731)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Oct
I understand your problem so i did a bit of searching but not sure if this might help or not, Take a look
https://compare.smarter-choices.com/best-hydration-supplements-b?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (166048)
• United States
10 Oct
@kaylachan Yes, adults are often like that. You do a great job being a support for him, but he will make his own choices.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Oct
@GardenGerty Yes, I know. And, I have to respect his wishes.
@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Oct
I'll take a look at it, but as I stated and the provider mentioned, he's not at a place where he can be forced to do anything. If I can get him to take in enough, then they'll leave the tube out, but he has to want it enough.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Oct
I am not sure of it's motivation, seasonal depression or what, but it's something for sure. He was getting understandably frusterated yesterday when we had a long treck across the parking lot and through the hospital to reach the doctor's office. He was currsing and saying things like this isn't worth it.... etc.
Part of it is, I don't think he can swollow as well as he thinks he can, and he tires easily.
And, do you think its realistic for someone to drink roughly 40 ozs in an eight hour window?
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@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Oct
@porwest I know that's the atypical standard that's recommended. I just don't think it's realistic. We get close, only because I've been doing eight onuce tube flushes three times a day in addation to him drinking two sixteen ounce glasses a day. It's a little less, because I add ice, but it's about that. He did wind up doing a little more on his own by drinking a little over a glass of milk. But, it's a lot. I'm sure that I'm around there, too.
It's just not going to happen over night. He also didn't get where he was overnight either.
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@LindaOHio (202987)
• United States
10 Oct
I know I have to force myself to drink more...it's hard when you're not thirsty. I hope George can make the adjustments necessary for his health.
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@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Oct
When it comes to eating and drinking, there's a lot of things we do that we just don't think about. When you have a stroke, that you now have to think about. It can be overwhelming for anyone. Hell, yesterday we were hit with information overload, and today George was asking about the finer details.
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@2ndchances24 (11054)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
10 Oct
hum? that sounds like what they told me, I don't drink nearly what I use to drink
B-4 I landed in the hosp, now I have to remind myself to get something to drink
so I KEEP PLENTY of drinks & water around so I have something close by.
I keep plenty of sparkling ice drinks & O sugar Gatorade & ice water on hand
but what I do is drink 1/2 & freeze the other 1/2 & when I want something
I get 1 of the frozen drinks & pour the other UNFROZE drink over the frozen
that way it's nice & cold & stays cold for hrs.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (79876)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Oct
It can be difficult to get someone to change. I'm doing my best and taking baby steps here.
