GAG | eating life with head & neck cancer Ep 60 - 120

In this episode of the "Gag: Eating with Head and Neck Cancer" podcast. Today, I want to delve into the importance of practicing speech and share my personal journey with speech therapy.

Here’s my recorded bathroom practice that I refer to in the episode.

During my cancer treatment, I found myself facing the daunting task of relearning how to speak, breathe, and eat. It was a challenging and frustrating process, but I was determined to regain my abilities. One technique that proved to be incredibly helpful was filming myself as I spoke and enunciated words.

I vividly remember setting up my camera in the bathroom, feeling a bit self-conscious at first. However, I quickly realised the immense value of this practice. By watching the recordings, I was able to identify areas where my speech was unclear or where I struggled with pronunciation. It allowed me to pinpoint specific sounds or words that needed improvement.

Filming myself became a regular part of my routine, and creating these podcasts and filming myself for my YouTube channel would mean spending hours analyzing the recordings, making notes, and practicing specific sounds.

This practice not only helped me improve my speech, but it also boosted my confidence. Seeing tangible progress through the videos was incredibly motivating. It gave me the reassurance that I was on the right track and that my efforts were paying off.

I want to emphasize that this technique may not work for everyone, but it was a game-changer for me. It allowed me to take control of my own recovery and actively engage in the process of regaining my speech abilities. So, if you're facing similar challenges, don't be afraid to explore different methods and find what works best for you.

Thank you for joining me on this episode of "Gag: Eating with Head and Neck Cancer." Remember, you are not alone in your journey.

Eat well

In this podcast episode, I discuss the business aspect of head and neck cancer treatment. I emphasise the importance of treating the treatment process like a business, with a team of professionals working together towards an end goal. I mention the different professionals involved in the treatment and the need for patients to manage their own care. I also talk about our own program, the Mind Food Body program, and the importance of research, celebrating wins, and having things in place for success. I share my own struggles and milestones in my journey and encourage self-care and continuing to eat well.

You can find my community here and more about me here yvonnemcclaren.bio.link Resources to purchase

Easy Follow Easy Swallow Book

In this podcast episode, Yvonne discusses the concept of elevator pitches and applies it to eating socially for individuals undergoing head and neck cancer treatment. She introduces her new website at Substack, which features podcasts, posts, and a section for listeners to ask her questions. Yvonne explains the idea of elevator pitches and how to create a personalised one for communicating specific needs and challenges when dining out or engaging in social activities. She emphasises the importance of practicing the elevator pitch and encourages listeners to visit her website for more resources and to connect with the community.

Show Notes

In this episode of "Gag ", I will be discussing my personal experience with trismus, a side effect of head and neck cancer treatment that causes difficulty in opening your mouth wide enough to eat.

I will share my journey of stretching to improve my mouth opening and discuss the pain and challenges associated with trismus.

It is important to persevere with the stretching exercises and maintain flexibility & to continue with daily activities such as chewing and swallowing. I cannot stress enough the benefits of maintaining good mouth opening for dental appointments and hygiene. If you want to learn more about trismus and related topics, be sure to check out my blog and bio link for additional information and resources.

In this podcast episode, I want to share my personal experience with head and neck cancer treatment and discuss the power of optimism and resilience. I recently wrote an article called "Dolphins Laughter and Resilience," where I talk about how I chose to react differently when I received news that my treatment had not worked as well as expected. It was a challenging time, but I realized the importance of being mindful and finding what is truly important to me in difficult situations.

One piece of advice I have is to avoid seeking validation on social media. It's easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others or seeking approval from strangers, but it's not a healthy or productive mindset. Instead, I encourage you to be selective about the information you consume and focus on surrounding yourself with positive influences.

I also want to mention my website, where I have a new "Ask Yvonne" feature. I answer questions about life after cancer treatment and provide support and guidance to those who may be going through a similar journey. It's a way for me to give back and help others navigate the challenges that come with cancer survivorship.

In conclusion, I want to remind you that you have the power to choose your reactions.

Life may throw unexpected curveballs, but by cultivating optimism and resilience, you can overcome any obstacle. Surround yourself with positivity, be mindful of what you consume, and remember to prioritize what truly matters to you.

As someone who has gone through the experience of having a PEG tube and using commercial formulas for feeding, I am compelled to share my story on this episode of "GAG | Eating with Head and Neck Cancer Treatment" podcast. I know firsthand the mental and emotional challenges that come with having a feeding tube, and I want to offer some insights and practical tips for those who may be going through a similar experience.

First and foremost, it is important to accept the peg tube as a means to an end. While it may be difficult to come to terms with the fact that you cannot eat normally, it is crucial to remember that the tube is there to help you get the nutrition you need to heal and recover. It is also important to remember that the tube is potentially temporary, and that there is a plan in place to transition back to oral eating.

One of the things I found most challenging about using commercial formulas for feeding was the lack of variety and freshness in my diet. While these formulas are designed to provide all the necessary nutrients, they can be bland and unappetizing. I found that incorporating fresh foods into my diet, even in small amounts, made a big difference in my overall well-being and mental health.

Another important aspect of using a peg tube is having a plan to transition off of it and back to oral eating. This can be a daunting task, but it is important to have a clear pathway in place to achieve this goal. For me, this involved gradually introducing small amounts of food back into my diet, and slowly increasing the amount over time.

Overall, my experience with having a peg tube and using commercial formulas for feeding was challenging, but ultimately a necessary part of my recovery. I hope that by sharing my story and offering some practical tips, I can help others going through a similar experience.

You can find my community here and more about me here yvonnemcclaren.bio.link Resources to purchase - the good stuff

Easy Follow Easy Swallow Book - How I did it

In episode 60 of the "Gag. eating with head & neck cancer" podcast, I discussed the challenges of communicating food to head and neck cancer patients. As someone who has personally undergone head and neck cancer treatment, I understand the difficulties that come with the process of transitioning from a peg tube to oral eating. In the episode, I emphasised the importance of resources, nutrition, and transitional foods for patients.

During my own journey, I created a program to document my experience and help others with the mental and physical challenges of transitioning from a peg tube to oral eating. I found that effective communication, emotional support, and understanding the patient's mental state during the process were crucial to success. I encourage healthcare professionals to consider individual dietary requirements and provide patients with necessary education to make their own meals at home.

In addition, I stressed the importance of emotional support throughout the process. Patients may feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or even scared during this transition, and it's important for healthcare professionals to understand and address these feelings. By providing patients with the necessary resources and support, we can help them feel more confident and comfortable with the process.

Overall, my experience has taught me that effective communication, emotional support, and understanding the patient's mental state are key to helping head and neck cancer patients transition from a peg tube to oral eating. By providing patients with the necessary resources and support, we can help them feel more confident and comfortable with the process. Starting your best food life starts early in the treatment process. How we communicate and the vocabulary used is so important.

You can find my community here and more about me here yvonnemcclaren.bio.link Resources to purchase

Easy Follow Easy Swallow Book

yvonnemcclaren.bio.link

You can find my community here and more about the following below: -

Mind Food Body Programme

yvonnemcclaren.bio.link

As someone who has gone through the treatment process, I can say that food plays an incredibly important role in our lives. It's not just about nourishing our bodies, but it's also about our social abilities and our ability to reintegrate back into society. Being able to get back to work, travel, and enjoy life again is a huge part of the treatment process, and food is a critical component of that.

I feel like sometimes the importance of food gets overlooked in the scientific, disease-focused approach to treatment. It's easy to get caught up in the medical side of things and forget about the patient's experience. But for me, food was a lifeline during my recovery. It gave me something to look forward to, something to enjoy, and something to share with others.

That's why I think it's so important to arm people with the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy, nourishing food at home. It's not enough to just tell people what to eat; we need to show them how to do it. By providing food education and resources, we can empower people to take control of their health and wellbeing, and ultimately improve their quality of life.

In this episode of "The No Feeding Tube Show," I discuss the emotional and social impact of head and neck cancer treatment, specifically the feeling of loneliness that can arise after treatment ends. The lifeline that head and neck cancer nurses provide.

I share my personal experience and emphasise the importance of recognising and addressing this aspect of the patient experience. I also highlight the role of social media in connecting with others who have gone through similar experiences and the importance of creating a positive food experience during and after treatment.

As I reflect on my experience of going from being the centre of attention to feeling like I was nothing, I realize that it was a significant turning point in my life. It was a time of great change and adjustment, and it affected every aspect of my life.Physically, I had to learn how to navigate through my daily routine without the constant attention and validation that I was used to receiving.I had to learn how to do things for myself and not rely on others to do them for me. It was a challenging process, but it helped me become more independent and self-sufficient.Mentally, I had to retrain my thought process to not constantly seek out approval from others and to find confidence within myself. I had to learn how to be comfortable in my own skin and not rely on others to validate my food worth.It was a difficult process, but it helped me become more self-assured and confident. It was and continues to be a pathway of constant learning.Emotionally, it was a rollercoaster ride. I went from feeling on top of the world to feeling lost and insignificant. It was a challenging time, and I had to work through a lot of difficult emotions. I had to learn how to cope with feelings of loneliness and isolation, and I had to find ways to build my self-esteem and self-worth.Overall, it took time and effort to work through those emotions and come out on the other side feeling more grounded and secure in myself.It was a challenging time after treatment was complete, but it helped me grow and become a stronger person.

I invite listeners to share their own stories and experiences with loneliness after head and neck cancer treatment.

You can find my community here and more about me here yvonnemcclaren.bio.link Resources to purchase

Easy Follow Easy Swallow Book

Show Notes

Hello listeners - since recording this episode back in 2023 - somethings are no longer available ( Facebook Group for example) and where possible I have updated this in the show notes below.

In this podcast episode, I discuss the importance of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) as a resource for people with swallowing difficulties.

I share my personal experience with dysphagia and how I discovered IDDSI, expressing frustration with the lack of promotion of the resource by healthcare professionals.

I note that IDDSI is person-focused and provides information that can be applied to an individual's personal eating life. I commend the volunteers and sponsors of IDDSI and encourage individuals to continue eating well and taking care of themselves.

You can find my community and more about me here yvonnemcclaren.bio.link

GULP. Taking a Seat Back at The Table After Head and Neck Cancer