As a member of the peg free community and a long standing member on this forum, I have seen these wars from the beginning. I have always said that if you have any surgery in the mouth or difficulty swallowing going into treatment, that it would be foolish to try to tough this out. But for the few of us who are eating with no difficulty before treatment starts, I would wait to see if the peg is really needed. I'm not against the peg, I just don't think EVERYONE needs one.

I'm glad to see that article, because I do believe that many just give up swallowing when they have the peg and unfortunately unless they are on this board, no one may warn them of the consequences.

Take care,
Eileen

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Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I