Break on Through

About 10 days since radiation ended and it's a little bit better each day, although, truth be told, recovery isn't happening fast enough for me (like it would ever be fast enough, right?).

Still can't taste anything and of course, now the obsession begins. What should be the first thing I eat when I CAN taste again? You laugh, but it's hard to choose when there is SO much food that I miss. And Taryn and I were wondering this morning (we went to Bagel Chalet for a nice mother-daughter breakfast after teaching Sunday School), will I all of a sudden be able to taste or will it be gradual? After all, it seemed like I lost taste gradually and in fact, I can remember the last thing I actually tasted (the lemon in the Chicken Piccata when my neighbors and I went out to dinner). I'm thinking of putting it up for a vote: "What should DonnaLee eat first when she can taste again? A) Chicken McNuggets B) Bagel C) Chocolate (anything chocolate!) or D) Juicy hamburger" And don't worry, I already know what I'm going to drink when I can taste again - Red Dish Effen Martini here I come! (Ellen - will you be joining me?)

I am speaking a little now, although I pay for it at the end of the day. I spent an hour on the phone with Chris yesterday, then 2 hours hogging the conversation at a party with my neighbors in the afternoon (yeah, they kept trying to shut me up, citing "concern" for my oral health - I think they were just tired of me going on and on!). Definitely needed some Motrin that night. There is still a bit of swelling on the inside of my mouth, and one large, deep lesion by my upper teeth that I suspect will take quite a while to heal. But I am having to numb my mouth a little less each day in order to eat or speak, so that, as they say, is progress. Gotta keep focusing on the little victories until I break on through to health again.

Visited with my new oncologist this week and she was very reassuring about having an understanding about my particular case. I was worried that I was going to have to recite my whole life story again, but she said she had been thoroughly briefed and felt comfortable taking over my care. Based on the one meeting - I think I'll keep her (and not just because her name is a helluva lot easier to spell than my old oncologist's name). I don't have to see her again for 2 months.

End-of-the-school-year activities are heating up: Emily is done with classes (but won't be back home until the end of June because of her job in the city); Taryn and Ian have about a week more of classes; we are knee-deep in plans for the prom and their graduation party; and starting to plan for college orientation (Taryn's is only 2 weeks away!). And the summer is already filling up (Laura's wedding! Yay!) - and I really feel like I will have recovered enough to enjoy all of this.

Blessings and Love to All!