Gerry, Yes, I have suggestions and doctors to help. Feel free to send me a private message. Unfortunately, I think there are a lot of misunderstandings represented in this thread about why people develop strictures-that it is somehow their fault for having become "dependent" on the PEG--rather than the PEG saving your life when you develop a stricture (which I was told by a doc at Dana Farber that 8-9% of people receiving radaition for oral cancer do--that is not such a tiny percent that this board should be posting things that are prejudiced and nasty).

I have been reading and posting here for a year and a half longer than David, three years altogether, and there are NOT "many people who use the PEG just because it's there and then develop swallowing problems". as far as I can see. But it makes a good justification for making "dark humor jokes" about yanking someone's PEG out when they can't swallow (would we think it was acceptable to, even jokingly suggest a caretaker flush someone's pain meds down the toilet when they say they are in pain? why is everyoine reassuring David this "joke" is OK? There is a great deal of hostility towards people who really need a PEG post-treatment in a remark like that. It makes me feel like those of us who have genuine swallowing problems that we have fought against from day 1 are the acceptable butt of prejudice, hostile advice, and jokes on this board).

So anyway, feel free to send me a PM Gerry, since I don't really feel this is a freindly place to discuss this.

Nelie