Hi Barbara,

I want to echo what David is saying that Micheal needs to force himself to eat every day as nutrition/hydration will help minimize the side effects and help with his overall recovery. It will go quickly downhill if he doesn't eat. There were days when I felt like the food police with Jack but it did pay off in the end.

The PEG tube does make it easier to maintain calories and fluid on the days when he just doesn't feel like it, but it's also important to keep swallowing even if it's just a little bit at a time. If he's going to consider the feeding tube option you don't want to wait until he is beyond a point where they can do it.

I wish there was an easier cure and maybe one day that will happen, but in the meantime just keep telling yourself that this too shall pass. It's such a shock in the beginning that you can't really take it all in - that does come with time.

Best of luck to you both.
Regards JoAnne