I don't know how differently I would have done things. I am a caregiver, but a couple of notes. I added up every ounce of water my husband drank and forced him (in my gentle loving way) to be at 2 quarts or better everyday. He had the PEG tube put in before radiation even started. He wanted it out after the first few weeks of radiation because he was still eating so well, but by the end, he absolutely needed it to get nutrition. Keep swallowing water, even when it hurts, so you don't lose those swallowing muscles. Keep trying new foods. When you can't eat something anymore, try to find a substitute. Expect to throw out a lot of food. One week, my husband loved yogurt. I went out and bought 20 containers. Next week, it hurt to eat it and I wound up throwing it out. I was desperate to feed him (a caregiver thing, I think)and probably threw out $50 in food every week. Prepare for depression, pain and survival. Don't go running up those credit cards, because you just may be around a very long time and have to deal with them!