Laurie, I didn't have chemo so can only comment on radiation. I elected not to have a PEG and my MO told me she thought I could get through it if I really wanted to. I had my reasons for not wanting to go through another medical procedure at the time.

However after a few weeks I began to wish I'd had the PEG. Swallowing became so fiercely painful due to mouth and throat sores that I almost couldn't do it after about 2-3 weeks, and this was only liquid nutrition and water I"m speaking of. Of course maybe since I've always been prone to canker sores I was more sensitive than some.

So you're right to consider this carefully and get all the advice you can. Oh and like you I had a bit of drive to the ride every day, maybe 40 minutes that I did by myself. And in LA no less. But the end result is worth going through anything.

Hang in there, keep writing, keep eating, keep sleeping!

We're all here for you.