Hi,
Just from reading this board for the last two years, I think the men who have decided to have PEG tubes, (let's not get into an argument here, most probably need them to maintain weight), then tend to rely on them too long causing eventual problems with swallowing. Now us folks who happen to like food are willing to either forgo the tube or get rid of it as soon as possible. The longer you do not use the equipment the harder it gets to swallow so if you can't eat a meal, at least try to eat some soup, or yogout, or eggs, or high protein shakes to keep your esaphagus in order. You may not be able to take the full amount of calories you need via mouth, but if you can take some it will help towatd your eventual healing. Just keep trying. If it doesn't work today, it might tomorrow.

Take care,
Eileen