Sharond,

The tube is the one thing that I am pleased with in this ordeal. I've had mine for 30 months. The first year I had some leaking where the tube went into the stomach. For the past year, no leakage there at all although I still use a 2X2 cm sponge bandage to protect the area. Mine is about 14 inches long (just right). I wash around the area every day.
When not in use, I keep in in place under my shirt with Nexcare Durable cloth tape about 4 inches below my collarbone at top of chest. It holds very well and I only change about 3-4 times per day. I have to change more often in hot weather or if I am in strenuous activity.
I change the "Y-Port" this is the top where the 2 oz. syringe fits into for feeding about ebery 3 months. They are hard to find around here I get mine at the cancer hospital for revisits. Also loking for a thin brush to clean out some residue at top of tube just under the Y port.
But I must say I would be literally dead without it as I only take limited liquid intake by mouth since my tongue flap is tied down.

Jim Haucke
-------------------------------------------------- SCC Rt lateral tongue Dx 9/03, Surg 11/03 (T2/N0M0);recur SCC BOT and anterior tongue Dx 1/04; surg 2/04 (T4/N0M0) subtotal glossectomy, forearm free flap, floor of mouth reconstruction,pharyngoplasty;trach until 3/04;PEG still have; 36 rad (3/04-5/04)therapy 12/04-12/05; 2 esophagus endoscopies