Glenn Deir, a retired journalist residing in St. John’s, shares his experience of being dependent on six packs of Boost as a meal replacement for five months, after undergoing throat surgery to remove cancerous tonsil tissue. The surgery restricted him from consuming solid food, leading to a challenging diet of Boost and pureed meals.
Struggling with swallow tests post-surgery, Deir recounts the difficulties of ingesting food and liquid due to impaired throat muscles. Despite losing weight and facing obstacles in his recovery journey, he received unwavering support from his healthcare team at St. Clare’s Hospital.
As he underwent radiation treatment and chemotherapy, Deir had to forego a planned moose hunting trip due to his health condition. The treatment process was arduous, marked by radiation sessions and close monitoring for any complications.
Deir’s determination to regain his ability to eat solid food led to intensive swallow therapy, eventually allowing him to progress from pudding cups to soft solid foods like bananas and macaroni. Although challenged by reduced saliva production and occasional coughing, he persevered through each meal, supported by speech language pathologists.
His journey towards recovery culminated in a significant milestone of enjoying a Christmas dinner with improved swallowing abilities, symbolizing hope and progress in his battle against cancer.