Star restaurateur Erik Videgård’s jaw cracked from the cancer

Erik Videgård’s path as a restaurateur was not obvious. He himself describes himself as a failed musician who then became a sound engineer, one of many professions he has had. But when his daughter Felicia was born, he changed careers to avoid being on the road. After being trained at the well-known Gyldene Freden, his way forward was given and since then his career has gone straight up.

But fourteen years ago, something happened – Erik accidentally discovered a wound on his tongue, something he didn’t pay much attention to at first. After a visit to the dentist, he was told that he should contact a doctor. A biopsy later, it was determined that he had cancer.

– It had hit the left tonsil and it was really, really bad. I got ice cold, he says.

In addition, Erik was told that he would not receive any sickness benefit, and live for a year without any income. A tough year began and he received chemotherapy and radiotherapy through the chin. Fortunately, the doctor managed to save one of Erik’s most important organs – the tongue.

– He said “I know where you are doing with Erik, so we put the treatment as far out to the side as possible to leave the tongue and taste buds,” says the restaurateur.

“Had to pry things in my mouth”

Nine months passed and he began to feel better. He continued his career and worked, among other things, with Daniel Craig during the filming of the film “The dragon tattoo”. But in the meantime, Erik’s mouth opening began to shrink more and more with each passing day.

– In the end it was two to three millimeters and I had to pry things into my mouth, says Erik.

After a doctor’s visit, it turned out that Erik’s jaw had died from the radiation. One night Erik woke up to a big bang – it was his jaw that had broken off.

– It was like a tree trunk being crushed. The pain was quite real, he says.

This was the start of another round in hospital. The doctors cut open his leg, took part of the calf bone and replaced the jawbone with it. The result was that Erik today has no sensation in parts of his jaw. As a remnant of the disease, he also has problems with coughing.

“Couldn’t have done it without them”

After his participation in Nyhetsmorgon, Erik has received some online hate, but he chooses to focus on all the love he receives from the viewers.

– It is so wonderful to see how many positive people there are out in the country, he says.

Erik also wants to pay tribute to his then wife and children who helped him through the tough period in his life.

– Hands down, I couldn’t have managed without them, says Erik Videgård.