They never will m - the great PEG debate has been going on, ad nauseum, since the beginnning of the forum - just take it with a grain of salt.
I don't think Mark's "congratulations" on completion of RT (i.e. treatment) brought on the "debate".

This PEG business is always very emotional for some odd reason. Factually, most patients here have had PEG tubes and did well because of them, a comparative few needed them for extended periods of time. A few have had problems with the PEG, either placement issues, leakage, infection, heartburn or nausea. A few have had PEG tubes implanted and not used them and several, (like myself) refused to get one and are doing fine today. A few persons here live in countries where PEG tubes are NOT standard operating procedure. Other PEG facts - some RO's will flat out refuse to give treatment unless you have one.

As far as the "badge of couragous" thing goes -we need to focus on providing the patients with the best advice we can and leave the BS out of it. To PEG or not is a personal choice that should be made in conjunction with the medical advice from your team of doctors. They are like any other form of medical decision - risk and benefit must be weighed and it is as simple as that.

This "warrior attitude", "badge of courage" stuff has got to be directed at the caregivers and outsiders who hope that if THEY get cancer they can "beat" it. Being a patient and 3 1/2 year survivor, I can tell you, from my experience anyway, that I live one day at a time. I did not have a "courageous", "brave", "warrior" attitude at all - ever and I never, ever will say I "beat" cancer. I was scared most of the time when I was in treatment and frankly had doubts at times that I would survive. In fact I cringe when well meaning people say "oh you beat cancer" I remind them that "I am cancer free today" and that's the best they're going to get from me.

I am a person of faith and that helped me to accept the realities and find some peace in the midst of all of the chaos. Am I still afraid that my life will be dramatically shortened as a result of this disease (or the treatment of it)- you bet and my story was a cakewalk compared to many others here so I can only imagine where their heads are at.

I hate all of the tests, doctor visits, scans, fear, etc. I would give anything to have my old uncancerous self back.

The people with REAL courage here are the ones who are dying, living their life each day, one day at a time and with dignity. I should be so blessed to have that kind of courage if I were in their shoes.

So lets save the "courage" thing for the real deal and not whether you got through this with a PEG tube or not.