In 2015 I was diagnosed with a malignant tumour in my neck which had paralysed the left side of my face. I had major surgery and radiotherapy and then began my gradual recovery. My facial paralysis still makes eating a challenge, and my radiotherapy caused additional side effects including only being able to open my jaw partially, a loss of sense of taste, difficulty in swallowing - all very experiences for patients whove had head or neck cancer. Many of these side effects have reduced over time (slowly, over around 4 years), but some will probably be permanent. Overall, though, Im in a much, much better place than I was six years ago, and am surprised how much things have improved over time.

Initially I survived on pots of nutrition drinks all of which had an unpleasant metallic taste due to my radiotherapy. Gradually I was able to introduce soups, then soft solid foods and so on. Although the dietitians at the hospital gave me helpful information and advice on what to eat, working out what I could eat day by day was a challenge, and getting enough calories, fibre and so on was a real worry. Six years on, Im very lucky that my sense of taste has almost fully recovered (not always the case after head and neck cancer) and I can eat a wide range of foods though I must plan carefully.

Having a serious eating difficulty is very socially isolating, so being able to eat again with other people has been an important psychological boost, although disrupted by the Covid pandemic, of course.

During each stage of my recovery I kept a record of what I ate, thinking that it might be useful in the future. I developed recipes for several high nutrition soup recipes, using fresh ingredients; which really helped to keep my calorie intake up. But trying to work out what to eat each meal and each day was a challenge and I realised that it might be helpful to put together a meal planning booklet, drawing on my own experience. Several other patients Ive met have also contributed their ideas and suggestions.

This booklet is designed to be basic and practical, to help you get through the challenges of your recovery from your cancer and its treatment. It covers a range of eating difficulties and situations, from those who have lost their tongue and/or their teeth and who therefore cant eat any solid food, to those who can eat soft solid food with plenty of liquid, to those who can manage closer to a more normal diet but still have to plan all their meals very carefully. Well meaning friends will often invite us to meet them out for a meal, and not realise what a daunting prospect that can be for us. I remember going into a coffee shop six months or so after my treatment finished, standing in the doorway and realising that there was nothing there I could eat or drink!

But things often improve over time, and there are ideas and strategies which may help you in social situations, so Ive included a section on that, too.