At 71, when most men are winding down their routines and enjoying slow mornings with coffee, Denny Puskas found himself facing one of the toughest battles of his life. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and learned that he would have to undergo an esophagectomy.

During the procedure, his esophagus would be removed and reconstructed with part of the stomach. Eating – something most take for granted – would now become a challenge.

But Denny wasn’t one to give up. And he had a partner in care who was equally determined: Linda Van Twisk, oncology dietitian with Aultman Cancer Center.

Post-surgery, Linda was by Denny’s side, checking for muscle and fat loss, carefully monitoring his weight and identifying potential barriers like swallowing difficulties. Her role was not just about nutrition – it was about giving Denny the tools to regain his health, one small bite at a time.

She developed a personalized plan, mindful of the transition Denny would have to make: from a feeding tube to a liquid diet, then soft foods and finally back to regular meals. They talked about texture, frequency and hydration.

Every two hours, Denny had to eat something small to help stretch his stomach. This would sometimes make him nauseated, but Denny followed the recommendations with a steadfast focus. He experimented, learned what worked and drank plenty of tap water, a practice he now swears by.

Throughout his recovery, Linda recalled, there were no grand speeches or emotional declarations – that wasn’t Denny’s way. Instead, there were short nods of thanks, followed by a steady return to his yardwork and daily walks that lengthened with each week.

“He had a very positive attitude and was determined to get back to oral nutrition and to enjoy eating once again,” Linda said. Denny lost minimal weight during treatment – a testament to his resilience and the effectiveness of the nutritional support he received.

“Denny is a man of few words, but he has been a great example of a determined patient that wanted to regain his health back,” Linda said. “He was also determined and able to get back to his regular physical activities such as yardwork and walking,” which he has been able to do recently with quiet pride.

He wants others to know that being your own health advocate is crucial. “Speak up. Ask questions. Try things out,” he said. And above all, remember that healing takes time, but it is possible.