Barb,

My throat closed up completely 17 months after rad ended. I was put in the hospital because I couldn't get anything at all down, and the peg tube was a distant memory by then.

They called in a gastroenterologist who dilated my throat the first time. I was able to begin eating again immediately. He couldn't stretch it out all the way at once, but had to do it gradually. I've had my throat dilated 2 more times and now I'm done unless I have a problem.

Getting your throat dilated is absolutely no problem. You go to sleep, and you wake up. That's it - no pain, and immediate results. Of course I have other eating and swallowing challenges, but not this one anymore. I don't know how much of your husband's problem will be fixed by having his throat dilated and how much is for other reasons, but please don't worry about this proocedure.

Lani