food processors are your friend. Plus... with them, you'll discover new and interesting flavors as you pick and mix your mush!

No longer needed. I am getting back into solids again. I just take things step by step (ooh baby), day by day (by day by day). God is good, yo.

Was that the NKOTB coming out from you? 

OK I just made a two month overdue update to my cancer blog. I know some of you have emailed me asking me to do so. www.chrisandcrystal.com/cancer Thanks!

Born again?

OK, So how has eating changed since all this?

Someone asked me this question recently (not really, nobody asked me...I just figured for narrative sake it sounded nice. I am a total liar) and it got me thinking about what it was like to eat food a mere six months ago. Things are definitely different now.

Imagine having to consider when trying to decide what you want for lunch things like food moisture, level of spiciness, sweetness, sourness, portion size. Yeah, these seem almost like normal things to consider when you type them out. Even I am asking myself, so...what's the big deal?

OK let's start with moisture, or rather dryness. Since the radiation, my mouth has pretty much dried up. I don't produce normal levels of saliva, which we all know is the beginning stages of digestion. I crave hamburgers, hot dogs, and other foods wrapped in bread. So if I decide to have one, I also have to have a HUGE drink with me so I can keep my mouth just wet enough to assist my teeth in breaking the food up so I can swallow.

Also, a handy little treat I was given from the radiation is a VERY sensitive mouth to spice, sweet, sour, and carbonation. Even the slightest hint of heat in a taco will cause my entire mouth to freak out as if someone poured habanero sauce all over it. I can only snack on my deserts because my mouth gets a sweet overload on just a few bites. Carbonated drinks have to be fizzed out before I can consider drinking them. Toothpaste burns my mouth every time I brush.

Then there's the salivary gland damage that was done during my January surgery which causes a severe pain throughout the right side of my face when I eat. Above all else I listed here, I have to consider whether or not this meal/drink will cause my salivary gland to flare up and send me wincing in pain. I have discovered it's not everything I eat, but most things do. Typically, the wetter something is with as little flavor as possible does not cause any pain. So, water would be ideal, LOL

Portion size is not a major issue, but it is still something I have to look at. My stomach has "shrunk" as a result of only taking in liquids for so many months. I can't eat huge meals like I used to. I try, LOL. I look at it this way, if I order spaghetti and can only eat about 1/3 of it, I have two more meals for the price of this one. It's a money saver and I don't over eat like I used to. Example: yesterday Crystal bought me some Chinese noodles for lunch. I had it for lunch, dinner, and a late night snack while at work. 

Oh I forgot about the texture of the food. I can't eat candy right now because the texture of the candy irritates my tongue. As well as chicken nuggets, fries, tater tots, and most other sources of deliciousness.

I am told my eating ability could change again, either to something more like what it used to be or something slightly worse than what I deal with now. Either way, I just hope my mouth's sensitivity will go away. That is my major obstacle from REALLY being able enjoy some of my favorite foods such as Indian, Thai, Spanish, and other fine cuisines from around the globe. Until then, I fill most of my meals with mild pasta dishes and bite sized chicken.

 - Chris