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

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com Chapter Seven brings GULP to a close by exploring how social eating can be integrated into clinical care. This chapter highlights the importance of commensality, addresses the stigma of modified diets and offers a new perspective on recovery that prioritises connection, dignity and long-term quality of life.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com Chapter Six focuses on returning to real life - eating, socialising and rebuilding confidence in everyday situations. This chapter introduces practical strategies for navigating social settings, managing expectations and adapting to change, alongside lived experiences from the Camino that highlight resilience...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com Chapter Four introduces the practical adventure of eating at home. This chapter focuses on building confidence independently, using the 5 P’s to support progress, simplifying meal planning, and stocking essential pantry items that make daily eating safer and more manageable.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com Chapter Three introduces the Back at the Table (BA-TT) framework - a structured approach to rebuilding purpose, confidence and independence after treatment. This chapter explores mindset, food systems, physical recovery and future planning, offering practical tools to help reconnect with food, identity and da...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com Chapter Two explores the social side of swallowing - rebuilding confidence around food, navigating public eating, reconnecting with favourite meals, and understanding the role of support systems in recovery. Episode Summary Chapter Two marks the shift from internal survival to rejoining the social world of fo...

Show Notes — Chapter 1 Episode Title: GULP — Chapter 1: A Table Lost (Free) Subtitle: When eating is no longer simple - understanding the lived reality of dysphagia. Episode Description Chapter One introduces the reality of what happens when eating is no longer simple. This chapter explores the early impact of treatment, the physical and emotional challenges that follow, and the unexpected loss of...

This is the second instalment from GULP : Taking a Seat Back at the Table After Head and Neck Cancer. In this section, I step back briefly to share some of the background that shaped this book. I don’t dwell on my personal story, but I do offer enough context to help explain where this work comes from and why it matters. You’ll hear reflections on the dedication of the book, the foreword written b...

This is the narrated introduction to GULP: Taking a Seat Back at the Table After Head and Neck Cancer. Many people told me that reading was difficult during treatment, recovery, or fatigue - but listening was easier. This audio version is for those moments. In this introduction, I explain why GULP was written, who it is for, and what “taking a seat back at the table” really means. It start a littl...

An excerpt from my upcoming book GULP. Taking A Seat Back At The Table After Head And Neck Cancer. I will be presenting at the IDDSI Conference - Monday 20th October 2025. Details here Chapter 2 The Rosetta Stone: IDDSI We Need to Talk About IDDSI: International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Transitioning from a PEG tube back to oral eating is confusing, scary, and fraught with stress...

I spent a number of years working out how to transition off a PEG Tube feeder back to oral eating. The "transition" itself took me four months. The ongoing roadmap to eating is an entirely different story, yet the lessons I learnt and the theory model I created for myself continue to serve me well in my ongoing pursuit of living not only my best food life but my best life generally. Currently I am...

The purpose is to communicate in a logical manner what can be some of the side effects that happen to us as living, breathing human beings during head & neck cancer treatment. In this episode I'm going to be talking about food confidence erosion. I'm going to be talking about beyond the tube and I'm going to be talking about visual value models These value models, what are they all about? They're...

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com/subscribe

The air changes in the lead up to Christmas. That smell, just before Christmas arrives, Christmas morning, something special in Australia it’s dry heat, the dark dawn brings soft strains of black bird call & magpie warble. GAG.| Eating life. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Perhaps for you it’s burning cold, p...

I promise you links within and here they are my lovelies … All links mentioned within this episode are now dated and have been removed. I’m Sorry! But you might enjoy this The Patient Story Isn’t The Treatment Story Kelly McCormick Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com/subscribe

can access the workshop information here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com/subscribe

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 frust...

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...

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 specifi...

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 m...

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 import...

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 throug...