I agree, good input Liz. I DO believe that many aspects of our individual treatment depend on the hospital and doctors that we have. There are tons of things we go through that have no hard and fast rules, different ways are used by many and all work in the long run.
What I was trying to point out to Petey is that ME, MYSELF AND I, had never been told by MY doctors that the tube needed to be changed. If James Haukes docs said that, great for them. I can only give MY experience, which, by the way, was far different from James who had his tube for 3 years. I am willing to bet that there are exceptions to almost all the rules of treatment.

Petey, when I first found this site we had a hurricane here that took out our power for over a week. My husband went and fought the crowds to buy a generator so I could have power to stay online, he could see how much the board was helping me deal with my fear and anxiety as I had just completed my treatments. Allow the board to help you in the same manner, that's what it's for. At the same time don't read to much into someones postings.
Minnie

SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.