Hello,
I was diagnosed with cancer in and around my left tonsil. I went through chemo and radiation in 2003/2004. I've been in remission for more than 10 years now. Unfortunately, the radiation did severe damage to the left side of my head and neck, including my cervical spine, left lower brain and jaw. I went through several jaw surgeries to try to fix the problem. All were unsuccessful and the last one took away my ability to swallow. I've had a feeding tube (PEG tube) since 2008 and I've been completely reliant on it since April 2009. I'm looking forward to talking to other tubefed folks and helping anyone who feels overwhelmed by the prospect of eating blended meals through their tubes!

Welcome to the family, Brian, and thanks for the generous offer. You sir, are one fine compassionate human being and it's nice to have you among us!

Bart

Thanks, Bart. For some reason you remind me of a tough-as-nails MSgt I worked with many years ago at Hurlburt Field--also named Bart. You're not related are you? :-)

Hello Brian.
I had my turn with the peg tube in 2012 during radiation for throat cancer and it was not fun. I'm now dealing with some new cancer issues and, in fact, may be doing jaw surgery(ONJ) this Wednesday. Is long story. Too long. I just want to welcome you and say thank you for the offer of help.

Thanks malwicker,
The PEG tube was difficult to adjust to, but I've grown accustomed to it. I've gotten to where I bring my blender out to restaurants and ask them to blend up my order and bring it out to me so I can eat my meal with my family. I also try to come up with the most odoriferous blends, such as the sardine/brussels sprout/orange blend I had a couple months ago. Have to meet it with the right attitude. I'm a tubie for life. :-)

Brian welcome - and you might as well have fun with it..

Thanks for the welcome, Cheryl!

Hello Brian - I'm not on a PEG but do share Hurlburt Field memories and a friendship with Bart with you.

Bart gets most of the credit for getting my mind in the right place for this journey down Cancer Avenue.

If memory serves Hurlburt was one of the auxiliary fields of the Eglin AFB complex where I did my summer camp training prior to commissioning back in 1973. After that I went on to fly B-52's at Ellsworth until 1981.

What did you do at Hurlburt?

Welcome to the forum.

Tony

I don't think it's the same Bart I knew at Hurlburt, Tony, that would be too wild of a coincidence. :-)

I was an intel officer there--not a terribly good one I might add--from '99 to '02. Do you still fly?

Thanks for the welcome.

Hi Brian (and Tony),

Brian, the answer to your first question is "yes, we are related."

Just not real closely...

Alas, my branch and period of service made assignment to Hurlburt an impossibility for me. I was Army, 1957-1967 and the Special Operations community that we know today was just a gleam in it's collective daddy's eye in those days. I was a cannon-cocker and served in an Airborne 105mm Howitzer Battalion (in Wiesbaden, no less) in Germany, '63-'65.

BTW, in anticipation of the question ending with "...perfectly good airplane?"
look in the dictionary under "Oxymoron."

It says "See perfectly good airplane."

VBG (very big grin)

Bart

PS. Good Luck with your surgery tomorrow, Malwicker! B.

Bart,
Reading your story, it sounds like you are quite a fighter with a great outlook on your battle against the "C". I'm glad you're on here.

I've jumped out of a few perfectly good airplanes myself, though I try not to make a habit of it. :-)

Malwicker, ditto. Like Bart said, best of luck with your upcoming surgery.

Brian, I just sent you a PM.