Hi Shelly,
I've had a feeding tube for almost a year now. I was having a lot of trouble swallowing and had to be very careful not to choke. Eating was becoming a chore and I was losing weight. I'm only 39 years old and was still working at the time, so the thought of a feeding tube was a little unsettling. I have great respect for my doctor, and when he said the time is now, I did it. It was the smartest thing I've done. It was a quick procedure, not even 10 minutes. I stayed two days at the rehab center, and myself and my wife learned all there was to know about how use and care for the tube. I no longer have to worry about eating. I still eat normally, but I can't eat enough to maintain my health, not to mention the fear of choking, or lung infection from accidently inhaling food or liquid. Two cans of "liquid nutrition" in the morning and two at night with light eating during the day and everything is fine. Within a month my weight was back up and has stayed there. If I don't feel like eating I don't have to, if I want to, I don't have to eat a lot. The tube itself is no problem at all, an elastic around my waist keeps it tucked under my shirt, unnoticeable. Don't get me wrong, I miss eating , but with ALS you either adapt or go crazy. You'd be amazed at how a spoonful of spagetti sauce can cure the craving for a pasta meal. It's about survival and doing whatever it takes and trusting the advice of your doctor
Hope this helps
Les