The redness may just be irritation -- Ask your Docs if it might make sense to replace her current PEG with one of the low-profile ones (They move around less and cause less irritation) like a Mic-Key Button:

http://www.mic-key.com/index.asp?page=product

or a Bard:

http://www.bardaccess.com/feed-button.php

Here's a quote from a post in a cystic fibrosis group:

"The Bard is considered a one-step button proceedure. It is placed during surgery which avoids the peg healing step. They haven't talkled about the Bard because you have already have a peg. The other benefit of getting a bard is the low profile. The bard button has a closure like a beach ball. They stay in place with a small sponge inside the stomach wall. My boys both got Bards when they had the gtube put in. The problem with a Bard is that you can't replace it easily if you have a problem. Josh had his replaced twice. Once because the tab broke off and once because he had grown and it was pulling against his ab wall. Jess has had his for 5 years with no problem at all. One bad thing about the bard is that the tubing doesn't lock in place so it sometimes gets disconnected during feeding (huge mess). We just tape the connection now.

This last time Josh had his button replaced he chose a mic-key instead so it will be easier to replace next time. The mic-key stays in place with a balloon inflated with water. The tube for the water and a lock-in closure for the extention tubing make the button itself a little larger. Both good features though."


Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.