We’ve been back from Florida for a week. Nick gained two pounds in Florida, but lost a pound since we returned. I’m concerned about his weight because at six feet tall, 136 pounds is a low weight. Eating still presents Nick with many challenges. As a simple comparison, when those of us with normal saliva and taste buds eat food,  it tastes  to us  somewhere along a continuum, the worst being that it tastes awful , then fair, good, very good, and  perhaps excellent.  Nick’s saliva and taste buds are not where they need to be. Nick’s continuum starts with food tasting awful (which encompasses many foods and drinks because they are too bitter, too spicy, too acidic or too dry), fair (he can swallow it without issues), good (it doesn’t taste as it should but it’s not bad and he can swallow it easily), and normal-tasting. So far the only things that taste normal to him are milk, cottage cheese,  mac and cheese, and ice cream. He is able to  chew and swallow pork chops and lamb chops but not steak. Everything he eats must be moist, or it must have lots of sauce or gravy to make up for his lack of saliva. He can eat pasta, but not tomato sauce because it is too acidic for him. Ditto tomatoes and most fruits. Vegetables must be well cooked or they are too hard for him to chew and swallow. Typically he finds the process of eating exhausting. He has two doctor’s appointments next week. I’ll go along and ask lots of questions.

And now the good news. Nick had a CAT scan yesterday and his oncologist reported that the findings were NORMAL, meaning no cancer!!!!! We thank all of you who helped us to get to this point with prayers and positive  thoughts and vibes. Nick still has a long road ahead of him until he reaches a complete recovery, and we ask for your continued prayers until he gets there.

And from my oncology surgeon, with whom I had my annual appointment today: “See you next year!” As my oncologist told me in April, I am a 25 year breast cancer survivor!!!