Robin & JC,
Back to this PEG tube thing. I do not consider having a hole punched in my stomach something of 'a benign nature' as Brian calls it. My radiologist never even suggested I have one at the outset or later.

Are you over weight or underweight? I'm certainly not suggesting losing more than 10% of your weight. I only suggesting that you take a wait and see position. If you can afford to drop some weight, you just got the perfect opportunity.

Let's look at some facts. I went into this at 5'5" and 122 lbs. I could stand to lose 5 lbs and even 10. I only lost 4. I had to consume at least 3 and preferably 4 or 5 cans of Ensure Plus a day to maintain my weight. The only other thing I could drink was ice cold bottled water and then I had to be careful of the brand. This routine lasted from about day 10 for about 5 weeks. I may have been able to eat some other things like ice cream but didn't because of the mucositis. I did not develop any sores in my mouth like Brian did. Had they given me my tongue protector early on, I probably could have eaten soft foods for while longer. My problem was everything burned my tongue.

Since you are a man and presumably much larger than I, you will have to consume more cans of these nutritional milkshakes than I.

Another thing to consider is that both Brian and I had our radiation 5+ years ago and presumably some of the newer drugs for saliva protection will help you not develop the problems we experienced as severely although mucositis still seems to be a major side effect. I did take Salagen for saliva during treatment.

How long are you going to need this PEG tube? 2 weeks? 4 weeks? It is not the only option. They can run a line through your nose down your throat that can be used to feed you. Not pretty but it works. This was actually the method that my radiologist would have used on me if I had developed problems with drinking my Ensure. I actually had one of these 4 years later for 9 days after I had a total larnygectomy and to me is certainly preferable to having a hole put in my stomach.

Find out how many grams of protein you have to consume a day to maintain your weight. Buy yourself a sixpack or more of Ensure Plus (make certain it is PLUS -360 calories and 13gm protein per 8 oz. can, I don't recommned strawberry) and live on it, ice cream and water for day. Do you think you will be motivated enough to pour this down yourself when it may be difficult to get down? While food tasted awful, I found the Ensure did maintain it's flavor. This can be good or bad depending on your outlook. Your radiology dept should also have other high protein shakes you can make or you can make your own.

Good luck and do whatever it right for you