It was my MO who insisted that I get a PEG. I got it before I statrted any treatments. I hated the thing but was glad to have it. You do have to keep swallowing, though, and I did that by drinking water a lot. I also had the three "big" doses of cisplatin, spaced throughout my radiation treatments. I saw three doctors; my ENT who did the surgery, my RO, and my MO who prescribed the chemo, and kept an eye on my bloodwork. I also had a port for my chemo, which my MO also wanted me to have, so I wouldn't have "chemo veins".

Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.