A few weeks ago the Royal Marsden Hospital discharged me after five years of being cancer free!
In the Autumn of 2017 I noticed a lump in my neck, just under the jawline near my ear. Apart from the lump I was feeling good. It didn’t go away so I saw my doctor, but after some tests and unhelpful feedback, I pushed for a hospital consultation.
Following my first visit the pace kicked up a few notches with blood tests, biopsies, MRI and PEP scans. In early 2018, at the age of 54, I was diagnosed with an early stage squamous cell carcinoma at the base of my tongue. The original lump I had felt was where it was affecting my lymph nodes.
My consultant told me that I was fit and healthy, and there was a high rate of the cancer being curable, but I would have to go through six weeks of radiotherapy combined with some chemotherapy. Despite the shock of having cancer, I took his positive attitude and support, and got in the ‘zone’. I was going to do my best to defeat this having a loving wife and young daughter to live for.
As the treatment progressed it became necessary to have an NG tube as I wasn’t able to swallow foods easily. This was a tube fed through my nose into my stomach to give me the right nutrients. This was later removed and I was able to eat soups and the ‘lovely’ Fortisip drinks.
I soon discovered Huel and having tried it, was converted. I bought a blender and would mix a daily batch of drinks. They went everywhere including when we went camping!
Since having an operation to improve my swallowing I’ve been able to eat normal food, but I still supplement with Huel Black Edition chocolate or salted caramel. I blend with banana or avocado, some olive oil and plenty of water, and put them in the fridge. If I’m going away I’ll grab a box of ready made Huel.
I love the stuff and it keeps me active - I road bike and mountain bike, run for Cancer Research UK, and snowboard when I can.
This year I became a Huel 1000 member. I’m not sure what I’d have done without it, so here’s a massive thank you to the Huel team for a fantastic product and helping me to pursue my life and stay healthy.
Johnny
