This question is to those of you who have either had a feeding tube or cared for a loved one with a Peg tube.

I'm the caregiver to my mother. She was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue back in March and is 3 months post treatment of 8 weeks of radiation with a once a week chemo treatment. She is doing wonderfully well. She is just beginning to eat some food, not much. Milkshakes, pudding, soup .... but no liquids yet. She has very little saliva & what she does have has resulted in that thick, ropey stuff that usually sits in her throat which cause it difficult to eat.

My question is how long did those of you with feeding tubes remain on them? I know it's different for each patient. She is doing so well, but she has a real reluctance to eat.

I would love to hear others take on this & to share their own experiences. Thanks.

Susan

My mother had her pdg tube put in May 2001 and just had it taken out last month. She was in a hurry at first, but after the cancer was still there after radiation, and she needed more surgery, she was glad she didn't rush to have it out. She waited till she was able to take all her medication and eat enough by mouth before she had it removed. Keep it as long as it is helping and whatever the doctor recommends.