My PEG is now out.

Fortunately I passed weigh-in

I had an appointment with the same doctor who installed it and his intern.

As you might expect he made his intern pull it out and the intern told me it was OK to kick him if I need to.

The sharp pain lasted a lot more than a few seconds followed by moderate pain for about an hour and I still feel like a horse has kicked me in the chest.

Expecting only a few seconds of sharp pain, I drove myself -- bad idea!

So, how long before I can drink a Coke?

Now that is some great news, Don!! Can't help you on the Coke question, don't drink the stuff myself, but I can offer my congratulations. And a little touch of envy!

Congrats Don! I've had a few sips of Dr. Pepper since finishing treatments and since my sweet taste buds came back, I can't handle the Dr. Pepper because it is waaay too sweet. It doesn't burn my throat as much now, but I just can't take the sugar, so I guess it's for the better. I tried a Dr. Pepper popsicle during treatment (I loved Dr. Pepper) and I remember it having no taste and it was gross. So, I wouldn't even think about trying a coke until you get more taste buds back!

I was wondering about when it was safe to drink a coke (or "yum yum" Dr Pepper) because someone said not to drink soft drinks for a while after having the PEG removed. I think they said it foams up and out the PEG hole wound.

I have recently started drinking an occational soft drink and they do taste a bit like seltzer water, but tomorrow I want a Taco Bell Burrito Supreme comb meal (for some reason) and they come with a soft drink.

Also, just the last few days it seems that my appetite is back and I am feeling hungry and wanting to eat all kinds of things (my car has visted "Jack In The Box" for two day in a row).

Interesting that it took about a month for my energy to return, and about a second month for taste to(sort of)come back and now, as I start my third month of recovery my appetite seems to be returning.

Also, today my G.I. Doctors did say I looked great and cancer free. Let's hope so!

Don,

Doesn't Taco Bell have Ice Tea? And Jack in the Box?? Wow! I'm not a big meat eater (generally, I don't eat any) but the other day I was tempted by McDonald's and it did absolutely nothing for me. I was so disappointed!! So glad to hear your appetite has made a comeback.

Sounds like a science experiment to me! I was told by the guy that took mine out that my stomach would close up in a few hours, so a coke may be safe, but I guess people heal at different rates. I went through a fast food period for probably a few weeks. I haven't had fast food since then! I opt for Subway or something like that over burgers now.

For me my weakness is KFC chicken bowls...mashed potatoes, extra gravey, cheese, popcorn chicken softened by the gravey ....hmmmmmmm gotta go thanks folks...lol

Well Stephanie, now I am hungry for a Subway sub!

Anyway why chest is still very sore.

Likewise the G.I. Doctor told me the hole should close in about a day.

His Intern put a huge bandage on my chest and taped me up from side to side. I have no idea why!

They said I could remove the (huge) bandage in a day and then just cover the PEG wound with a band-aid, but in addition to being sore, all that tape is embedded with chest hair

I don't have the courage yet to deal with it.

1-2-3 Yank....like hot waxing legs OUCH!!!! This is one job that you wanna do quickly...get it over with...Good luck with the tape removal

Great news that you are now rid of the PEG and with all the talk of food and drink it sounds like you are indeed hungry.
Don't worry about the embedded chest hair in the tape.
From someone who has been getting legs waxed for years.
Does not hurt at all now