Angelia, we never would have had a follow up appt with our gastro doc if Steve hadn't of gotten an infection at the site. Our gastro doc inserted it and then all questions, information was passed over to our nurses and our dietician. The dietician was our main support. Explained about flushing it, cleaning it and using it. Steve didn't have to use it for the first week so we just had to keep the wound clean. After his infection it was thought better for him to have time to adjust to just having the peg first before we used it. Also we were advised that it was to be left for about a week and then the doctor's would loosen it a bit. Physcologically the peg was a nightmare for Steve but I'm happy to say we are almost at the end of that road and it's about to be removed next week hopefully. Somewhere along the way though you will realise, as we did, that as horrible as it seems it is a life saver. A nurse told Steve "this peg is your lifeline, this will keep you alive". He seemed to accept it after that. It serves a very important purpose, to provide you with nutrition to get you through your treatment so you can kick cancers butt. Hang in there girl, you will get through this and come out the other side ok.
Wendy


Wife to Steve 43. DX 5 May 09. T4N2MO SCC tongue, floor of mouth, lymph nodes & jaw bone
No surgery
Teeth removed 06/07/2009
radiation 13/07/2009 x 7wks
chemo 15/07/2009 x 3 Cisplatin
last TX 28/08/2009
25/11/2009 PET-lymph node activity.
08/01/2010 CT Scan-ALL CLEAR
03/03/2010-Peg removed
01/2013 left side of Jaw removed and replaced with pectoral flap.
23/12/2020 scan show lesion in tongue
01/2021 SCC stage 3 base of tongue diagnosed
01/03/2021 chemotherapy started.