Treatment was day 1. This is day 10. So many side effects, none of them delightful. But lately it’s been my mouth/taste buds going on strike. There are more than 15 hot sauces in my room, and four (open!) bags of spicy chips, but even a hint of a spice now floods my entire mouth with a weird, bright, unpleasant heat. And my mint toothpaste does the same thing, but…brighter, somehow? (Quick story – Jenni went to the store with me and when she realized I was looking for un-mint toothpaste and a soft toothbrush, she said to save my money cuz she had a bunch at home. Get home and the toothpaste is kids’ strawberry and the toothbrush is SO SMALL and yes, I’ve been using them both and thank you Jenni but also brushing my full-sized teeth sure takes a while now.)
Anyway. Other flavors just don’t taste like anything, or taste different, or taste bad. I’ll try a bite of something I normally like and it’s just…nothing. Mustard is fine. Dijon mustard is BAD. Jam is muted. Chick-fil-A sauce tastes like Chick-fil-A sauce, but I don’t *like* Chick-fil-A sauce. BBQ sauce is okay, but then makes weird bright hot mouth happen. Ketchup is mostly ok, but bitter. Sugar is muted. Dill tastes like dill, but angry. Parmesan cheese might as well be dust. And etc and etc. So, like a scientist, I went to the store and bought a bunch of crackers, and now when I wake up I try each cracker to see what my mouth is doing. This morning I could almost taste the white cheddar on the Cheez-it. Almost.
Also had two different work people reach out today with nice words, and both said that their best friend has breast cancer – one already in treatment, and the other recently diagnosed and starting chemo next week. And here I am, YOUR best friend, doing the dang thing. Wtf cancer, stop being so obsessed with our lovely lady chests.
Welp 
Leave a comment