Mark,

A feeding tube wasn’t that bad, and was actually a blessing for me, and used one for all of my treatments. After they put in my 2nd tube I wasn’t taking it out. These days they would rather you struggle than to use one until it’s really needed, and statistics say it’s better with less dependency on a tube afterwards.To have one put in once treatment started can run risk of infection, but they have nasal tubes that can be put in without sedation and risk.

I almost forgot to add about choking. I had choking episodes that was due to aspiration, which caused aspirational pneumonia. My epiglottis was paralyzed from treatments, and didn’t fully close, so there was liquid or food going down the wrong pipe. Eventually, I saw a SLP, who had you do exercises, and showed a way to bend the head down when swallowing, and turning it. I don’t think it was when I was in treatment, but afterwards.

Good luck