Since so little of this has actually been about food since I brought it back to life, I figured I’d give us all a break from the health stuff and talk a little about food. Sort of. Because everything you are informs everything you do and will do, of course there is an impact of what I’m going through now on what I’m looking forward to later.
One of the problems with getting radiation to your throat and mouth is the dampening of your taste and desire to eat. The taste buds themselves are just killed off, although they will come back after treatment ends. The issue I’m having with this is that as a result, I take a few bites of whatever, can’t really taste it, and suddenly my appetite thinks it has been sated. This, plus the general effects of treatment, is why I’m now down 14 pounds since the day I went into the hospital. I could have stood to lose a few pounds, but I can’t really afford to lose a ton of weight.
I dream about food these days, and today while watching FoodTV before the football games came on, I thought about all the things that I’m going to eat as soon as I’m able to taste things again and swallow them without choking.
Guacamole. Right off, that’s one thing I’ve been craving. I’ll be making that – and taking pictures – as soon as possible after we’re finished with all of this. And maybe a fresh roasted chicken/spinach/jack quesadilla to go along with it, with some sour cream on the side and some of my favorite sweet chili sauce.
Molasses-brined pork chops on the grill, with some steamed zucchini and onions, and perhaps some shoepeg corn.
Homemade barbeque sauce over some slow-grilled ribs, moist cornbread, and black-eyed peas.
A grilled turkey, tomato, and gruyere sandwich with a dijon-sour cream-red onion spread – this is fantastic.
Sushi. But not from my favorite sushi place here in town: this time, I’m making it myself. Even if it’s not right the first roll, the upside of all of this is that you can eat your mistakes. Maybe some tempura and dipping sauce to go along with that. I might have to move this up the list. Get some sushi-grade tuna, some crab, shrimp, veggies, and go to town.
Bread. All kinds of bread (assuming that my saliva issues aren’t so severe and long lasting that I can once again eat bread, that is). More cinnamon bread and whole wheat bread, and I could kick myself for not getting pictures of the last batches I made before surgery. Focaccia. Ciabatta.
Pastries, once my taste buds are back and I can taste sweets again. Tarts and pies and cookies and fudge. I could get into baking big time.
Homemade pork sausage, maybe with a touch of apple and me controlling the spices. Eggs benedict, with fresh hollandaise. Grits.
Fresh fruit. Fresh veggies. All kinds.
And a whole host of other things. Since I’ll be cooking just for myself, and maybe roping my family into taste testing – they’ll taste just about anything – and don’t have to worry now about food issues that belong to someone else, the sky really can be the limit. You lucky dogs will get not only my ramblings on that, but my renewed interest in photography to go along with it.
What do you crave when you’re in a mood?
i was really sick one time and when i was finally well enough to eat, sent my man to the store to get me a great big filet mignon. put it on the fire, flip it over take it off. practically raw. with sweet corn on the cob. it healed me right up.
one of my favorite comfort foods is something that my dad invented when he was little. eggs and rice krispies. i know it sounds icky, but it’s very good and easy to fix. just fry up a coupla eggs over medium, and mix in with dry krispies. about 1 cup per egg. you can also add a little butter if it’s too dry.
this only works if you are in the mood for eggs. and you hafta eat it fast because it’s no good cold.
now i’m hungry. gonna see what i have in the pantry. hope u can resume eating good stuff soon.
Hey I was just reading your journal through your profile on Fark.
Listen..I don’t know you , But I’m thinking about you. And if you ever want to write an email or something I’m receptive too it.
I’m so sorry your dealing wih this shit.
I lived with a woman for 7 years who had a PEG tube.
It’s an art ..you get used too it. It hepls to hydrate yoursself and you may begin to appreciate that aspect. Plus you can use ityo put down medications as opposed to trying to eat crushed pills. ( that I know from)
So best of luck and all of your TF family are putting out good Mojo for you.
Take care,
Mark
A_Fat_Bastard
i hope you don’t mind. there are some sweet people out there.
(link removed)
i guess you hafta cut and paste. not sure how to html the link to make it clickable.
Note from me – I removed the link, since most people won’t be able to get there as they aren’t subscribers.
Thanks, AFB, for popping by, and Carol, thanks for pointing out that link. Even though I do it myself all the time, I’m always a little shocked that total strangers would take an interest in my little corner of the world (and would take the time to say so). Cheers, all.