Well said Paul.
Tammy

Brandi
As you can see ,the recent posts validate my position that the majority of OCF just cannot understand what your father and I feel. Please let him know that he is not alone in his feelings. We have had posters get the PEG "just in case" and they never need it. People vary and this will not be the last time a majority dismiss the needs of a minority. Probably a good thing your father does not post,,or else he might react as I did and relaunch the PEG wars. In a way, I am glad that I did not find OCF when I was getting my first treatments since I probably would have dismissed this wonderful caring community as narrow minded bigots unable to acknowledge that many doctors advocate against a PEG. As it was, I could say, well it worked great for me and that's a fact
Of course, it turns out that the minority of us who went thru without a peg were mostly gentle souls who did not want to cause dissension. So I spoke up loud enough for all of us
Charm

I do believe what Paul said--it all depends on each person's specific circumstances. I think the main reason my Dad wouldn't get on here is because he doesn't want to be comparing his situation to any one else's. He is the type who doesn't like to "take people's word" for things. He just has to try something out himself before making a decision. And, like I said, it isn't that he is 100% against having one--he just wants to try to get through this treatment without one. Just one less procedure for him to go through and one less thing for him to deal with. He starts back up with radiation today. 3 weeks left. I'll let you know how it's going.

Best wishes with everything!!! Im sure everyone in yoru family is anxious for this whole thing to be finished so your father can return to his regular lifestyle.

Good luck!

Yes, Christine. He said he wants a burger so bad! We told him we'd catch him up on his eating as soon as he is able to!

Hi Brandi - Looks like your Dad is coming down the home stretch with Tx getting close to being over! My son is in the "no peg" group but when the doctors mentioned the peg, we hadn't found OCF yet. My son, my daughter and a nurse friend of mine were all there at the meeting with the Cancer Team and they left it up to Paul whether he wanted it. Your mention of your Dad wanting a burger so bad struck a chord with me thinking about mhy son's sore mouth and taste problems during Tx. One day I saw him getting very close to his chicken broth and smelling it. I assumed he thought something was wrong with the broth but when I asked him about it, he said he had discovered that he could really enjoy the smell even though he could not taste and that smelling was a lot like the pleasure one gets from tasting. Don't know if this would work for your Dad in the same way or if it would just be painful for him to see the burger and not be able to eat it. Just thought I'd mention it in case it's something to try - or not.

Hopefully your dad gets through this all and it sounds like he has the gumption to do so. I think pegs are a tool to be used if necessary. I personally had one as I wasn't really given a choice. It was standard practice at the hospital, and the told me they wanted me to have one. I didn't have to use it, but it was there if I needed it. Well all in all it was useless to me as I wasn't able to tolerate the feeds and took everything by mouth. I could afford the weight loss, and lost about 20 lbs. The best part was the psychological boost I got from having it removed 2 weeks after finishing treatment.

best of luck.