A lot of folks fight having the PEG, perhaps because it is just about the only thing we have a choice about in this, but I have had two of them and find them to be a good thing (As long as one works on keeping the jaw opening and swallowing liquids every so often to keep it all working).

There's a lot less nausea involved with the PEG because it isn't affecting smell or taste, unless you try to force it too fast and your gut can't handle it.

Consider using higher calorie food like Nutrena 2.0 (500 cal/can) or Carnation VHC (560 cal/can) so that the number of cans per day is reduced to hit the same calorie level. Losing weight right now is not a good thing and it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Get your Doc or Nurse to prescribe some anti-nausea meds.

My second PEG, following my free flap procedure, wasn't a choice -- My mouth and throat were so swollen that it would have been impossible to swallow -- Of course, there is always the alternative of a Naso-Gastric Tube (NGT) with a pump to push food through your nose...


Last edited by Pete D; 08-26-2008 06:56 PM.
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.