Glenn Deir, a retired journalist residing in St. John’s, shares his experience of relying on six daily servings of Boost, a meal replacement drink, for five months. This unconventional diet was necessitated by throat surgery in mid-July to remove cancerous tissues from his tonsil and tongue. Despite the surgeon’s post-operative assessment of a “normalish” throat, Deir’s ability to consume solid food remained compromised, leading to a weight loss of 15 pounds.
His attempts to reintroduce solid food were hindered by failed swallow tests, where speech language pathologists monitored his swallowing abilities through X-ray videos. The challenges persisted due to lingering throat muscle issues, delaying his transition back to regular meals. The need for subsequent radiation therapy and chemotherapy further postponed his recovery, forcing him to cancel a planned moose hunting trip.
During radiation sessions, Deir humorously imagined rewarding his doctor with moose meat if successful. Despite setbacks like coughing fits and physical exhaustion, he diligently practiced swallowing exercises, eventually reaping benefits during a follow-up swallow test in late November. This progress qualified him for intensive swallow therapy, marking the beginning of his journey towards relearning how to eat solid food.
Deir’s culinary world gradually expanded as he conquered various soft foods, albeit with challenges such as reduced saliva production and occasional coughing. With each meal requiring meticulous effort and patience, he embraced his slow progress, knowing that his determination would lead to a satisfying Christmas Day dinner.