Dear Laura, please consider that I am speaking to you as a caregiver to my husband [and also as a caregiver to my 19 mo. old and 14 yr. old grandchildren, whose Mom is on Active Duty in the Army] The fact that you are a physician And have 2 children relays to me that you are a very strong woman. You have a heavy duty decision to make. My husband[at age 63] had 30 IMRT txs- ending 7-8-05. He is fighting the results of rad, but he is also able to eat a variety of foods, work in moderation, help keep up with both kids, and cook everyone breakfast every am.He had a PEG also, and got it out as soon as he could get away with it[which was earlier that I thought it should be: by the way, I am 5" tall and weigh 105 and can empathise with your # situation:] This is more trivia than scientific info, but I want you to know that in our experience, radiaton can be survivable, and my hunch is that alot of people here will tell you to fight this fully armed.Hope you will continue to post and share with us your decisions, based on your medical education and your decision making process. Wishing you the best. Amy