Hi Shari,

I too surivived this without a PEG. About a month after radiation, I was put on a high protein diet, 80 gms a day, + ZINC and a bunch of vitamin supplements to improve healing. I got my 80 gms by still drinking a few cans of Ensure and drinking fortified milk with meals because I was not able to eat that much protein. I was mssing my back teeth so chewing was also a problem. Everything had to be cut into tiny pieces.

This time of year, cold soups should be good, like vichysoisse or cream of cucumber. First meats I could eat were rare steak or lamb chops with lots of mint jelly. Peas, zucchini, string beans, tomatoes, red leaf lettuce with blue cheese dressing. Corn on the cob and lobster were also good. Forget potatoes or bread - too dry. Look for meals with lots of sauce or gravy, veggies with lots of water. Scrambled eggs or cream of wheat with honey and butter were good for breakfast. Pork tasted awful for months and needs lots of applesauce, but then every one is different. Keep experimenting and you'll make it. Think I drank stale ginger ale and apple juice for a while.

I also just read on this board that you should use plastic utensils if you get a metallic taste. Never tried it, but it makes sense. You also might try keeping a journal so you know what tastes good and bad when and why. I wish I had.

Take care,
Eileen