Eileen

I freely admit that 5 is a SWAG (military acroynym for Simple Wild Ass Guess that my Dad loved)based entirely on the statement espoused by some old timers in the PEG wars that "only a handful" have done without the PEG. I look at my hand and see only five fingers. Hence 5 Now bear in mind that figures lie, and liars figure. The legal disclaimer to the magical five is that you had both significant radiation and chemotherapy. In my case I had the "maximum" 7200 rads or 72 grays. Yet I am about to go 5 CyberKnife treatments for an hour each: as the release form stated: " I understand that my cancer has previously undergone the masixumum allowed dose of radation... and agree to these CyberKnife retreatments"
I was just so admanant about not getting a PEG even though the doctors were worried about 72 GYs affecting me, that I "cheated" on the weigh ins. Once I lost 40 pounds I was supposed to get a PEG, but I "toughed it out". Now that I have no alternative but the PEG, I see how easy it is and how much easier I could have made it on myself and still swallowed. I am even considering stepping up to the "Mickey" PEG of YouTube fame if I don't relearn swallowing soon.