We are down to the home stretch, 2 more chemo/13 more radiation visits. And now, we are setting our sights on Richard doing what he loves doing.

Richard's 2 passions are landscaping/surfing. He has the PEG tube inserted, the opening has pretty well healed around the tube. We have been told that the PEG may be something he lives with for the next couple of months, for nutrition's sake. He is still working, but has not surfed/swam since the beginning of treatment.

Question: has anyone swam with the PEG tube still installed? Any tips? It would be great even if he could just go swimming in the ocean.

Barbara (CG) of Richard, whose passions are on holding pattern

Congrats on being in the home stretch!

He's probably not going to be in any shape to surf or work in the garden for a few weeks post treatment but when he's feeling up to it the garden may be a better choice.

I was told no swimming. Showering is Ok but no baths. I've heard some say the ocean is Ok but not lakes, however, I would check with your docs.

"T"

Thank you, fishmanpa, for your response.

Richard is a landscaper, and continues to work, as it is his business and livelihood. I notice that when he does work (usually in the morning), his mind is not on his pain, maybe those productive endorphins are kicking in. By the afternoon, he is pretty wiped and rests. Hopefully this will continue, post-treatment.

His oncologist is also a surfer on the side, and said that post-treatment, he could wrap himself with velcro waist belt to hold the tube close to his body, in order to swim and possibly surf. We shall see, where Richard is in a couple weeks.

Barbara cg of Richard

Aha, found something posted by ChristineB in 2010 on OCF via google!
Press & Seal Glad Wrap possibilities in Richard future???

http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=118241

We made a post about swimming, with some links, several months ago. The main issue is risk of exposing yourself to the pollution, micro organisms, and further risk may be based on how your immune system is. The safest seemed to be a pool, but others were more risky. The link has several coverings for pegs, Tracts, ports. I used Saran Wrap the first week the peg was placed, and was thinking about going to an indoor pool, and using it, idk yet. Activity wise, you have be careful of the type, level, not to pull the peg out, which surfing seems it could, and would need some type of protective measures as some mentioned.

As far as landscaping, the issue is exposing yourself to bacteria in the soil with a compromised immune system. A person should wear gloves, mask, and other protective equipment, and is best checking with the doctor.