Hi Robin,
Everyone can get through radiation without a PEG, many on here have. My thought has always been....why make it harder on ourselves? Also, having a PEG put in when you are sick from radiation and chemo is tougher then doing it before treatment starts. I had a PEG so can speak from both ends of the issue, trying to eat during radiation and the ease of having the PEG to keep my self well hydrated and up to par nutrionally. I recall very well trying to eat during the 3rd week of radiation, it was horrible and I am thankful that I had the PEG. I didn't have to worry about nutrution nor have to spend hours per day trying to get enough nutrition into my body.
Mine was put in during my surgery a full 6 weeks before my radiation began and I begged my doctors to remove it about 3 weeks after my surgery when I was eating so well again. They refused to, told me I would be thankful for it during radiation and for a few months after radiation. They were absolutely correct. I was 41 at the time and in great shape, no doctor ever told me I wouldn't need a tube.
Hope it works out for you,
Minnie