"Charm,
I simply do not get the logic. I had one too and I hated it with a passion, but I was also lucid enough to realize that the little Goa'uld could save my life. So the real question the is this: What is more "manly", facing your fear and do what must be done or put your head in the sand.
Regarding the machinations to avoid getting one later on by using boots etc... that may be more of a male thing to do. Then again it is usually males who score high in the Darwin Awards."

Markus, thank you for writing what I have been thinking reading all this. I don't understand the logic of fighting having the PEG to prove a point or to award yourself some mental "award". It's a device to help keep you nourished and hydrated. My husband hated the idea of getting one and using one. He didn't start using it soon enough and lost 30 lbs. that he couldn't afford to loose. He eventually started using it the way he should after I told him what his doctors kept telling him "your body responds much better to treatments when it is well hydrated and nourished". He never had to be hospitalized during treatments for being malnourished or dehydrated. He made sure to drink liquids daily and never lost the ability to swallow. He also never tried to deceive his doctors by putting weights in his pockets.

Gee John NEVER used any prescription pain killers through treatment - does he get a mental award for that?