For many people living with chronic illness, care isn’t something that happens only in hospitals or appointments. It’s woven into everyday life, quietly and consistently, alongside rest, work, and routines. Over time, medical care can become familiar, even grounding, without taking away from identity or independence.
In this story, Miranda shares what feeding tube care looks like in her daily life, how it has become routine, and what it has taught her about caring for herself.
Continue reading to learn more about how care becomes part of life, not separate from it.
Where Feeding Tube Care Fits Into My Day
After almost five years of being tube fed, feeding tube care has become a regular part of my daily routine. It’s no longer something that feels disruptive or out of place. When I’m getting ready for bed, I start a feed. When I wake up in the morning, I push a flush. These moments are simply built into how my days begin and end.
At this point, I think of my medical care as no different than other daily tasks, like brushing my teeth or washing my face. It’s just something I do to take care of myself. Over time, it’s become familiar, predictable, and steady, which has brought a sense of normalcy into my life.
What Care Looks Like When No One Else Is Around
Feeding tube care doesn’t look much different when people are around versus when they aren’t. Sure, I may be a little less self-conscious about lines and tubing when I’m alone, but beyond that, it’s largely the same.
Care doesn’t change based on who’s watching. It’s part of my routine whether I’m by myself or with others. That consistency has helped me feel more comfortable and confident in my care, and less focused on how it might appear from the outside.
Who I Am Beyond Illness
I love this question because we are so much more than our diagnoses, mobility aids, and medical devices. When illness isn’t the focus, I see myself as determined, hardworking, kind, and a good friend.
Those parts of me have always been there. Living with a feeding tube hasn’t taken them away. If anything, it has made me more aware of how important it is to hold onto who I am outside of medical care.
What Once Felt Abnormal, Now Feels Ordinary
Routine tube changes are something that feels completely normal to me now. I have to go to the hospital at least twice a year to get my tube changed. Today, it’s just another appointment.
At first, though, it felt anything but ordinary, especially when tube changes happened more often. Over time, repetition made it familiar. What once felt overwhelming has become manageable, and that shift has made a big difference in how I move through my life.
What Feeding Tube Care Has Taught Me
Living with a feeding tube has taught me the importance of making time to care for myself, even during the busiest and most stressful moments. When life gets overwhelming, it can be easy to deprioritize nutrition and care, whether that’s through a tube or by eating.
I’ve learned how important it is to set myself up for success in whatever way works for me. Care doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be intentional. Finding what supports your body and your needs is an act of self-respect, and one that matters every single day.
Follow Miranda on Instagram to learn more about her journey.
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