 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Charm,
I'd like to know where you come up with this number of only 5 out of 6000 who didn't have a PEG. Which 5 are you counting? While the number is low, it is a lot higher than that. I for one didn't need a peg but I also didn't have surgery in the mouth or have chemo. I only lost 5 lbs so it is not necessary for everyone.
That said, 50 radiation treatments is a lot. Usually it is only 35-36. Swallowing was becoming a seveve problem around treatment 30 so if I had had to go for 50, I doubt I could have done it without at least a nasal tube. Why so many treatments? If you really need 50, I'd do whatever the RO suggests as far as feeding tube.
Take care,
Eileen
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Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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