Hi Liam,

I like your introduction! You sound like you've got your head on straight, like Tony and Hellion (to name just a couple of most of us here) which is a huge advantage in dealing with this condition.

I want to echo and endorse what Tony said about nutrition, and add that Boost, a competitor to Ensure, makes a 500 calorie version of their nutritional drink. It's called "Boost VHC" and probably will have to be special ordered. I know that CVS carries it, and usually will have it for you the next day after you order it. It's the same price (!!!) as the regular Boost (here, that's just a tic under $50 for a 27 count box).

Also, check the prices on Jevity, the common nutrition mix for use in PEG feeding. It doesn't taste wonderful, but the good thing about losing your sense of taste is that you can drink Jevity and not be bothered by the taste!

But whatever route you go, make sure that you get 2500 cal/day! At least while you're undergoing radiation or its side effects. Healing and surviving make extreme demands on your system for energy, and will get it by consuming your body if you do not give it extra fuel when it needs it.