Throat cancer battle of Hamilton dad
A Hamilton dad has given a searing account of the brutal struggle he faced after lifealtering treatment for throat cancer in 2015.
Dad-of-three Alan Johnston is still feeling the effects almost four years on from his harsh treatment, which included 30 treatments of radiotherapy and two chemotherapy infusions.
And while the recent festive season is a time to eat, drink and be merry for most, for those living with throat cancer, it can be the most dreaded time of the year.
Recalling his first Christmas posttreatment, Alan, who is supported by the Throat Cancer Foundation, said: “I had a naso-gastric tube for eight weeks which got high calorie drinks into my stomach. I could not eat due to the pain and choking.
“Three weeks after my treatment finished I managed a small piece of jam tart. It was divine, even though my taste buds were shot.
“That was December 15, 2015, and on Christmas Day I went out for dinner with my family.
“I managed soup and soft parts of my turkey dinner. Sadly turkey was too dry and still is, even with gravy. Going out when I had my naso-gastric tube was hard.”
Trying to live as normal a life as possible with a throat cancer is hard and for some the thought of going out and even trying to eat, drink and be merry is too much, so they simply don’t do it.
And Alan (55) found himself battling from anxiety when it came to dining out with friends.
He continued: “I need to have plenty of water when I’m eating to help me chew and particularly swallow.
“I frequently have to cough and when I choke on food it can be embarrassing. I have had two occasions where I have been unable to clear my throat. That was scary and my wife finds it terribly distressing. My wife worries if this happens and she’s not around to help me.
“Close family and friends are used to my changed eating habits and I feel comfortable with that. Going out and socialising is okay but I have to consider what I choose and need to ask for water frequently.
“Time factor is an issue too. I take longer to eat some foods and in busy places there’s sometimes a time limit on tables – not very considerate for head and neck cancer survivors.”
The Throat Cancer Foundation is a charity dedicated to reducing the impact of throat cancers on individuals and wider society. It offers support, and aims to ensure that anyone affected, including the person who has cancer, their friends, and their loved ones, has access to the most up to date information available regarding their illness, the available treatments, and what to expect in recovery.
Jamie Rae, chief executive of the Throat Cancer Foundation, said: “We are keen to raise awareness of the difficulties and harsh reality that many with throat cancer face during times like Christmas and thanksgiving and Alan’s story provides a heart-rending insight into this.
“We hope to promote a gold standard of care for those living with head and neck cancers and for the HPV vaccination to me more readily available to everyone, in order to prevent others from going through the same ordeal.”
Visit www.throatcancerfoundation.org for more information.