Brian,
I agree with you. I have no swallowing function. On Tuesday they will go in with the endoscope. The last barium swallow test revealed the fluid stopping at the beginning of the esophagus. Nothing goes down. If I try to swallow too much water it will aspirate. The PA that saw me suspects scar tissue. My tumor was rather large and at the base of the tongue so I believe the upper part of the esophagus is likely compromised. I'll see on Tuesday. I want this PEG tube out! Been totally dependent on it for 4 months.

I read a lot this weekend and I too believe the focus and the intensity of the radiation has everything to do with impaired swallowing. The speech therapist did say that atrophy sets in....I asked her how come a new born baby can swallow for the first time right out of the womb? I believe its the radiation but will do whatever the gastroenterologist tells me.

Mr Mike