Oh yeah, since joining last July I participated in some discussions, but the peg war has been going on for years lol. It was once advocated to use a peg tube for many years by RO, MO, ENT, speech and swallow therapists, but the new trend is not to use a peg until needed. I never had a problem, and like all muscles, they have memory. Each person is different, even in the type of treatment, radiation dosage, area involved that effects swallowing, surgery, teeth, etc. Some doctors feel if treatment, surgery is going to effect you long term, have co-morbitities, effecting getting adequate nutrition, hydration, they will advocate a peg.


10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs