Parotid RT

I'm over the hump of week 5 and quite honestly, it's not much different than week 4. Other than the radiation burn being more obvious, I feel the same. Working 7AM to 1PM, driving 150 miles to a 3:15 appointment and then driving home. Eat, watch a DVD movie and go to bed around 9:00.

Eating officially sucks now. I've spent the last few days in search of foods I can taste. There are none. Some foods like fruits, I imagine I can taste, but I think it is simply the smell I'm sensing as I swallow. Because sugar and salt have no scent, I can no longer detect them in any food.

That aside, I have a new fascination with foods. They are all reduced to what they really are. McDonalds french fires are the most disgusting food on earth. Take a sponge, soak it in grease, and that is what I taste when I eat one. Frosting on a cake, it's Crisco! There is no hiding it from me anymore. Remove salt and sugar from fast food and junk food and all that is left is the junk.

I would like to say my diet will be permanently changed when this is all over. Not. Forty nine years of bad habits will be hard to change.

Note to those reading, I'm in no way depressed, moody or otherwise down. Just the opposite. I went into this thinking doom and gloom and I'm happy to report I'm still feeling fine. Mondays are the hardest days for me because I rest over the weekend and then have to transition to the daily grind. But after a shower I'm ready to roll. There also something about the first radiation treatment of the week that seems to rev up my metabolisim. Sounds strange but it hits me like a strong cup of coffee. Also, my face animation continues to improve which is a big boost!