Breakfast, Unplugged
At the time we were considering g-tube surgery for Kyra, I read an article by a mom whose young daughter used a g-tube. The mom’s favorite reason for having the g-tube was that in the morning, she could “plug her daughter in for breakfast” while she and her other children were getting ready for work and school. In my mind, saw a busy, bustling mom rushing around with her healthy, energetic children, while a little girl sat strapped in her wheelchair in a corner of the kitchen, a can of g-tube formula being mechanically pumped into her stomach. I empathize with that mom’s attempt at morning multi-tasking, but I don’t agree with her methods. Preparing Kyra’s g-tube meals from scratch, and feeding her by hand rather than an electric pump help keep her healthy, and keep us connected. It also takes time. It takes more time to shop for, prepare, blend, strain, and clean up home-cooked g-tube meals than it takes to pop open a can of formula, pour it in a bag, and toss the can in