You have perhaps read that I did not need a PEG. I did have significant pain and it seemed worst at about the second or third week. The radiation also takes away the urge to eat to some extent and distorts the sense of taste. This is in addition to the pain. I lost 30 pounds and I was not overweight when I started.

My suggestion is that anyone going through radiation needs to be really determined to eat and drink as much as possible, at every moment think about eating and drinking. If at any time you physically cannot eat or drink or mentally can't get up to it, then it is time to get help.

Frankly the pain meds given me to help with eating didn't work very well. She should avoid salty, peppery, or pickled foods. Also tomato based food was tough for me. I had to use a blender to make everything liquid. I have not found any food that can't be chewed up by a blender. Eating became an almost around the clock thing. It would take a long time to eat anything but I did it.

E-mail me if you want some blender ideas.

Take care