Jensen got his button

Jensen looking at his sister Sophia

Jensen went to two doctors yesterday; one scheduled and one not. The first was his appointment to get his feeding tube removed, and replaced with a "button". The original tube "PEG tube" was about a foot long and just dangled out of his belly. The doctor pulled it out with a "pop" as it had a flexible plug on the inside that kind of folded back when it was pulled out. Jensen didn't appreciate that. The new one as you can see in the picture has a tube attached also, but it is removable (I don't have a picture with it removed). It is a low-profile gastrostomy device (LPGD). When the tube is removed, what is left is the "button". The advantages are: he is less likely to pull it out, can be concealed under clothes, can be imersed in water, and is just easier overall to deal with. This one has an inflatable ballon on the inside to hold it in. As a reminder, Jensen gets his medicine and some of his food through this tube. As his heart is still enlarged, it pushes on his stomach (and lungs) creating undue pressure. Last week though his heart was down to 80% of what it was.

Jensen also got some vaccinations earlier in the week. Possibly between those and still recovering from his illness last week, he has been vomiting. Hence the unscheduled visit to the doctor yesterday afternoon. At our church we have a weekly "Praise and Prayer" get together. In the life of a Christian, as in Jensen's life we should do both. I give Praise for how far Jensen has come; he is our little miracle. We all must continue to pray for him though, as he still has a way to go; on his heart size in particular for the long term, and this illness in the short term. Thanks.