Hey Susan,
My surgeon gave me a lecture 2 weeks ago about avoiding a PEG at all costs. I completely disagreed with him. As an SLP, I work with people with reinstating oral intake after PEG all the time. I recognize that this is from the provider side at the moment since I don't start radiation til next week and I may, in time, "eat" my words but I think my "job" is to stay well and the only way I can do that is by getting adequate nutrition/hydration.
I will not be spending every waking moment of my day trying to swallow, worrying about swallowing, worrying about "catching up" on missed calories/fluid, coughing, choking, cringing in pain and trying to time a swallow so effortful it hurts and the accomplishment is 3 cc's!!
Reinstating oral intake after PEG placement and treatment is a process but I know that if and when the time comes for me, I will be getting a PEG so that I can enjoy those aspects of life that don't involve eating and also not have to worry about "using up" the precious calories I was able to get in!
I'd love to hear what other's think on this topic.
At this point - Pro-PEG!