I didn't have a PEG and i was MADE to swallow before they would let me out of the hospital, but I sure found that swallowing was something I had to work at. When I was first released a bowl of soup would take an hour to eat, but that improves with time. I think the one thing you cannot do is avoid the chore - and it IS a chore at first. From others, I have read that your ability to swallow can be very difficult to recover if you let it go too long.

And just in case they didn't tell you, your tastes will change from time to time post radiation. For awhile everyting - including plain water - tasted salty, then it seemed everything tasted metallic, etc, etc. Taste has now pretty much returned to normal.

Donna