Caco

There is zero doubt that caregivers all prefer that patients get a PEG. Then there are stubborn old men like myself, Michael Douglas, etc who choose not to get one despite the rational reasons. Like the Simon & Garfunkle song goes: [quote]I've been slandered, libeled, I've been called words I've never heard in the Bible[/quote] for standing up for our right to feel this way. Psychologically, I felt that getting a PEG was letting this cancer take away yet another part of my life and I was damned if I was going to let that happen. And I didn't. Others just don't care. Good for them but they are not me.
We have had heated discussions here, even "PEG Wars" because I refuse to remain silent when posters claim it's always medically necessary or snidely comment that only macho pride could be the reason. Inner strength and confidence is crucial to beating this cancer. IMO your father's feelings have validity. It meant a lot to me to go thru the treatment without a feeding tube which is why it is in my signature line. Clearly you love your father, but competent doctors can put a PEG in anytime with little hassle. Heck when I finally had to get one after the cancer came back and the surgery crushed any hope of swallowing ever, I was down to 119 pounds and the weakest I've ever been in my life. Inserting the PEG took ten minutes.
Finally, most all posters here echo what their doctors told them. At my CCC, my RO and MO were adamant that a PEG should not be routine but only an exception. None of my cancer cohort had a PEG nor did we have any dehyrdation etc,.
The good news is that there is no right or wrong answer here.
Charm
Charm