Hi Danielle,
I lost over 60 lbs and still refused to get a PEG tube. I put 30 back on and I am now a very comfortable (and svelte) 140 lbs, perfect for my 5'6" frame. I credit my decision for being able to eat solid food sooner. Disclaimer: PEGless patients are an EXTREME minority.

As far as going back to work, I spend all of my time on the phone also and I usually couldn't even speak until noon or later for months after the end of treatment. I also suffered a lot from cancer fatigue. Don't be in any hurry to rush back to work. It takes a long time to heal from the treatment which really beats you up (I would have fared better taking on 6 muggers :p ). I took almost a year off and I "only" had radiation and chemo. I am still not totally back to speed. I am happy to report that I sound like less like a frog now in the morning than I used to.

I was in denial about all of this - I thought that the six month formula didn't apply to me -I was humbled...

The problems she is experiencing now will continue to get worse for as long as 1-2 months or so, POST treatment ("Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving"). It will take about 1 month of recovery for every week of treatment. I.e., 6 weeks Tx = 6 months of recovery. Progress is measured in 3 week intervals. And when they talk about 6 months, they mean that's when you will start to feel like a human being again - not fully back to where you were pre treatment. Taste buds will start to return at about a month or so. It's a gradual phase-in deal. I ended up enjoying my time off so much it's hard for me to get back into the flow again.

Most of us also suffer a bout with depression post treatment (which is normal).

If she goes back to work too soon she may have difficulty reopening her disability claim.

These are not hard and fast rules. Your mom may recover sooner or later, they are pretty much the average. This disease is a test of your patience more than anything else. You have to be realistic about your expectations about the recovery time.