An expert has shed light on a key detail in John Farnham’s incredible health announcement that you may have missed.
In an emotional statement on Wednesday, the iconic Australian performer revealed that he had been given the “all clear” of cancer and is “the luckiest man”.
A year ago to the day, the 74-year-old underwent 12-hour surgery after being diagnosed with throat cancer, with doctors removing a tumour from his mouth and reconstructing his jaw.
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Now, Farnham said he’s looking forward to celebrating the milestone with a pizza dinner.
In an interview on Sunrise, Dr Sam Hay said it was this telling detail that shows just how far Farnham has come in his recovery.
“I know John has said in the past that he needed a lot of reconstructive surgery to remove parts of his jaw,” Dr Hay told host Nat Barr.
“So he wouldn’t have been able to eat solid foods, I imagine, for many, many months.
“He’s probably developed a lot of strength now, being able to eat more solid foods. So he’s now looking forward to eating solid food – and one can only guess that pizza’s his favourite one.”
Dr Hay added: “But people going through these surgeries – eating is a major issue because some of the complications of the treatment can be losing your appetite, not being able to eat, not being able to swallow.
“So simple pleasures like eating and drinking are a big thing.”
The expert said throat cancer can be difficult to treat.
“This can be a very troublesome cancer because obviously you’ve got a lot of very complex structures through the throat, through the mouth,” he said.
“You’ve got the tubes for breathing, the tubes for eating, swallowing, and so therefore very delicate structures and a lot of nerves.
“Any treatment is going to be very, very difficult to navigate through that area and then it’s surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and then the side effects of those.
“I’m sure it’s been a very long and difficult journey for, for John and then his family to, to care for him and support him through that process.”
In his statement, Farnham said he’s celebrating the happy day at home.
“I’m home now, and I’m a very grateful and happy man,” he said.
“I’m sitting here in my living room lapping up the attention from my beautiful wife, Jill, my boys Rob and James and mini schnauzer Edmund.”
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