I'm glad you're getting the tube also. I would never suggest to anyone not to have the tube, I personally feel it should be required. What type of radiation are you having? IMRT radiation side effects are not as "tough" as the side effects for regular radiation. With IMRT is the only time I would even think about not having a PEG. Why put yourself through more pain and suffering then you need to? Keep swallowing water throughout treatment and you'll be fine. I had my tube put in before radiation, stopped eating at about 3 weeks, and didn't eat by mouth again for approx 4 months. Kept the tube for 9 months just in case! It never caused me a days worth of problem, in fact, it saved me alot of trouble.

SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.