Glenn Deir, a former journalist residing in St. John’s, shared his experience of consuming six packs of Boost daily for five months as a meal replacement following throat surgery in July due to cancer. His diet mainly consisted of Boost drinks and pureed foods, resulting in a significant weight loss of 15 pounds.
Despite numerous swallow tests showing difficulties in ingesting solid food, Glenn persevered through radiation treatment and chemotherapy, even canceling a planned moose hunting trip due to his health condition. The support from his healthcare team at St. Clare’s Hospital was unwavering.
Throughout his treatment, Glenn entertained thoughts of offering moose meat to his radiation oncologist, Dr. Brent Tompkins, as a gesture of gratitude. Despite challenges during treatment, including a coughing incident while undergoing chemotherapy, Glenn diligently performed tongue, jaw, and swallow exercises to improve his condition.
By late November, after completing cancer treatment, Glenn’s swallowing ability had improved, allowing him to undergo intensive swallow therapy sessions. This marked the beginning of reintroducing solid foods into his diet after five months, starting with a banana and progressing to other soft foods like mac and cheese and apple pie.
Although radiation treatment had a lasting impact on his saliva production, Glenn’s determination to improve his swallowing skills remained strong. He now enjoys meals with caution, taking small bites, numerous chews, and frequent sips of water or apple sauce to aid in swallowing.
Despite occasional coughing episodes and the need for patience during meals, Glenn is grateful for the progress made and looks forward to enjoying a variety of soft foods, knowing that he has come a long way from relying solely on Boost drinks for sustenance.