Kieran’s MiniONE®
“With his new G-tube, Kieran is able to be so much more independent and live life like a normal baby.”
Kieran’s Mom
I’m Kristine, Kieran’s mother and I’d like to share our journey with the MiniONE® Balloon Button G Tube.
Getting the MiniONE® Balloon Button G Tube was so enabling for Kieran! We finally decided on the surgery when he was nine months old, after holding out hope he would be able to drink enough on his own. He had started pulling his nasogastric (NG) tube out daily and he would claw at his face constantly. We were always worrying about the NG tube and it was limiting what he could do. Once we decided to move forward with a MiniONE® Balloon Button G Tube, the surgery was quick and recovery was easy.
With his new G-tube, Kieran is able to be so much more independent and live life like a normal baby. He has been able to go to the pool without worrying about the NG tube tape coming off. He’s starting to climb up our home climbing wall, crawls around, and happily pushes his vehicles. He actually started eating better without the NG tube in place and can gleefully smash foods all over his face now too. We don’t need to worry about his toddler older brother mischievously tugging on the NG tube anymore, either.
It’s been so great, even as Kieran eats more foods, to not have to wonder if he’s getting enough nutrition or hydration. He’s had a couple relapses in his progress, and having the MiniONE® Balloon Button G Tube reduces the pressure on him and us.
One benefit we did not expect was how both heartwarming and crushing it was to see his full face without the NG tube or tape on it. We can finally see his lovely smile!