Hi there. The feeding tube is an individual thing. Be honest with yourself. You're an athlete, in pretty good shape, right? Most men think their tough. Which in some instances is true, however radiation can be brutal. So that said - can you force yourself to do things that are exceptionally painful? Like eat and swallow when your mouth and throat is on fire, and raw and full of sores? (It really does feel like acid is eating away at your throat and mouth). This is enough to challenge even the hardest and toughest person. Nutrition and hydration are primary in fighting this cancer and healing. So if you think for a second that maybe you won't be able to follow through with the meds and nutrition etc... a peg might be a good idea. That said it should not be the sole method of ingestion. Regardless of tube or not you need to keep swallowing even if it's just a little liquid otherwise you could find yourself on a tube for life. I had a tube at the insistence of my dr. couldn't use it. Had it removed 2 weeks post radiation. Did I regret having it? No. It was a just in case for me.

Regardless, sorry you have to be here, and welcome.

Best of luck.