The PET scan will indeed narrow the location of the tumor down with the dye. If there is cancer anywhere outside of the esophagus it will show up in red. I had many tests conducted just to be certain that the tumor was contained inside the esophagus walls(not the vocal cords etc.).
They put my feeding tube (I had a J tube in the lower abdomen) while I was in surgery having my esophagus removed, not before. It was a challenge getting the proper nutrients while going thru the treatments (radiation daily & chemo 1x / week). I drank alot of healthy soups. Get a blender or a food processor to make swallowing less difficult & painful for the big chunks!!!! Get plenty of Ensure or any other kind of high protein nutritional drink!!! Doctor them up with ice cream, choc, fruit (jams & jelly's work real good!!!) malt powder, peanut butter etc. to enhance the flavor!!! Don't be afraid to be creative as long as it tastes good to your Bride!!!! The important thing is.......... make sure she gets plenty of PROTEIN & vitamins, calories. Chemo deminishes the hemogloben (red blood cells). The feeding tube was a pain in the arse to be sure but....... not a big deal really. It takes some getting used to. YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!!