Hi Tim, I have a similar story to yours, except I got the tube at 12 years! Not uncommon, I have been told about 30% of the folks get it due to damage from radiation. So I have been a "tubie" for 18 months, I am actually better, I had gotten aspirated Pneumonia several tme and the docs said if I kept up eating I might have a "shortened life" I am still very active and swim/run/bike..hike, just takes a little getting use to. Brian Hill, the founder of the forum is in a similar place. Read some of his posts. My doctors are at UCLA, they are VERY good