Pete

Thanks for the info which verified the opinion of the most recent interventional radiologist. When I explained that I wanted to cut my Jevity in half and go with Vitamix meals, he alerted me to the exact same valve problem. He pointed out how the valve clogs and is even smaller than the first 12FR tube I hated. He thought that it would complicate all the pills and powders I currently syringe. So I agreed to not get the button.
Instead he put in a regular 16 FR PEG tube also made by Mic-Key which has a balloon on it to hold it in, along with a circular rubber protector. I am experiencing granulation but my ENT just gave me a script for silver nitrate sticks which I will drop off at the pharmacy. I like the closure on the new PEG and it does not clog like my old ones.
Read the Roger Ebert article in Esquire that Brian posted on the OCF news site as well as in the coping/anger forum - very moving.
Charm