Hi Paul! Congratulations on finishing your treatments! now you can heal...The next few weeks will probably be a little rough. The cumulative effects of the radiation are intense- but once you get over the hump. I had the exact same symptoms you are having.I finihed in May 07 It will take some time for the swelling to go down so be patient. Everyone's healing time is a bit different. Carbonation is just now getting better for me and citrus drinks took some time and still burn a little bit but just slightly.

You can put anything liquid down the peg tube- I htink you coudl put gaterade down there. I put a little bit of carbonated water in or sprit efmr time to time to clear the line. Just make sure you flush the line thoroughly with water. You can put anything you want in. I put in warm herbal teas and honey with lemon. That was my fa-- for somereason- even though I wasn't drinkig it it felt comforting. Herbal tea is my fav. Also I think having some of the real things you used to enjoy preps your body for eating and digesting real food again.

Its going to tak esome time to get off the Peg. AS soo as I was done with radiation at the end of May I wanted the thing out but I had to have it for several months afterwards and gradually transitioned back to liquids (ensure smoothies) and then solids.

I got my Peg out 3 months after the end of radiation. One thing I did that was helpfula nd helped me feel less tied to feedings was to take a can of formla and a syrnge and a cup out with me. If I felt fatigued or hungry I would jst go into any bathroooma nd syringe in food. It helepd me be more on the go and enjoy htings.

Also I've heard that a joey pump is great for feeding at night. Remember that your body is blowing through calroies with healing- so load up. It will help yu to heal up faster.

Hang in there Paul!

miss Kate