Tales of the Macabre

It seemed somehow poetic that the doctors would choose the anniversary of Edgar Allen Poe's death in Baltimore as the day to put in Ernie's feeding tube.

As those of you who have visited us know, Poe died mysteriously after drinking at a tavern called The Horse You Came In On Saloon on October 7, 1849.  The date is widely celebrated in Baltimore.  Today, outside the Saloon, black cars, statues and waste cans emblazoned with Poe tributes appeared. 

Poe made a name for himself writing about the macabre.  Feeding tubes are also a bit...well, you get the picture. 

Before the feeding tube surgery, we were warned that the placement of Ernie's organs might make it impossible to place the feeding tube the normal way.  This happens in about 10% of people.  (I always knew he was special).  However, they decided to give it a try and were able to find space to inflate the balloon that holds the tube in place.  After that, we had a macabre meeting with a nurse who taught us how to dress the wound and clean the tube.  This is definitely not my forte, but I will do my best.  Cleaning a feeding tube is nothing compared to what Ernie is going through.