BUFFET IS A BUST

After much badgering, the old geezer got Alan to take to a buffet.  The thinking was, at least on my part, the the wide selection of food would provide a change to the rather bland diet followed these past two months.

Alan is ever so clever.  He knew that a buffet would be a bust and tried to talk MOI into some sort of different dining experience.  The old geezer's mind was made up and nothing was going to change the plan.

The Peppermill Casino has a rather lovely buffet, and with 'comp' dollars to spend, it was not going to be an expensive meal.  The old geezer was ready to dive in...

Sadly, walking round the many offerings did little to excite the palate.  Chicken has become too dry to deal with, pizza boring and most meat held little appeal.  Slowly, the plate had some items added.  There was a little tomato salad, a few Swedish meatballs, and a bit of fish.  There was also a bowl of bean soup.

With effort and no taste, the food was tried.  Feeling put out by the lack of enjoyment, another trip to the counter was made.  The choice of some pork was huge mistake.  Was right depressing...

Alan on the other hand tucked into his meal with gusto.  There is nothing wrong with his taste and he cleaned off his plate.  Alan was looking forward to a visit to the desert island and he made sure that he filled his plate.  There was a wicked looking chocolate desert, a mouth watering slice of cheese cake and other pastries.  Alan told MOI that he was a bit off groceries, as he did not completely finish all of the deserts.  Mind, the plate looked licked clean when he was finished.  The old geezer had some slices of watermelon.  No taste but it went down well...

Were that it be true, the snap featured would have been grand.  Walking out of the buffet was not with much effort, as the old geezer did not eat much.  One the other hand, Alan seemed to be in another place, with the look of total satisfaction on his face.  Went so far as to tell MOI that the Peppermill did not lose any Cash on him that night.  Too right...

My diet is rather plain.   Lots of soups and dry sandwiches with a few micro meals.  The trip to the buffet was an attempt by the old geezer to add a little zest to meal time.  It did not work out that way.  The trip left MOI more than a little depressed.  What I would not give to be able to taste some of the foods was mad for in an earlier life.

It was a pleasure to break bread with Alan.  He tries to add a little spice to me boring life.  Just know now that meals will have to be less complicated in the future.  Pray forgive the old geezer his depression over food taste loss.

THE OLD GEEZER IS ON THE MEND

Tuesday saw MOI return to ENT doctor for a follow up visit.  Doctor wanted to see if the ear was healing proper.  Using his tools of trade, the good doctor checked his handiwork and announced that he was pleased with the progress.

MOI is also right pleased.  Went on to tell the good doctor that all that could have been got from the operation seemed to be granted.  The infection was gone, as were the headaches.  Vertigo was less and the ringing in ears and swishing somewhat bearable.

When asked if the old geezer was going deaf, the good doctor reserved judgement.  Said he would answer that question in 6 months.  Actually, the old geezer already knows the answer.  Hearing device works less now than before the operation.  Hearing ability is way down.  Might not be totally deaf but it is not good.

The doctor told MOI that he is impressed with my lip-reading ability, and my ability to read faces.  Thinks I get on rather well.  As to what the future holds, who knows.  Bottom line is that the hearing is going.

MOI has to apologize the the lovely lady who does these cake creations.  They are real cakes and am told they are quite good.  MOI uses the pictures of to express a thought.

Groceries are still off.  Not much turned on to things that can not be tasted.  That explains the snap, food is not very appealing of late.

The good news is that in 6 weeks, the old geezer is down 2 stone in weight, that is 28 pounds.  This has to be the best diet ever tried.  Why eat rubbish if there is no enjoyment?

Just think, in no time, MOI will get to see his tackle.......

MOI IS RENAMED - "AGEUSIA"

Robert, the New "Ageusia"

Leave it to an avid reader of me blog to find the name for what is going on with loss sense of taste.  The clever clog believes that MOI has Dysgeusia but further reading by MOI suggests it may well be Ageusia.  Truth be told, since last time looked neither of us has a degree in medicine, and MOI is the one with the first hand experience, am inclined to go with the first.  That being Ageusia or a combination of both...

Ageusia  is the loss of taste functions of the tongue, particularly the inability to detect sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and umami (meaning "pleasant/savory taste").

Dysgeusia  is the distortion of the sense of taste. 

Ear infections, hypothyroidism, age, medications for Asthma and allergies, have all played a part in what the old geezer is now dealing with.  When the good doctor cut the nerve during the surgery to remove disease in ear, he just brought down the last part that was holding 'taste' together. 

Another, avid reader, struck a cord with the old geezer as they went through exactly what is happening to MOI.  The reader went on to tell that the loss revealed some interesting things.

After surgery, the very same as MOI, all of my experiences befell.  Being overweight, OK obese, like MOI, the reader wondered if the not wanting to eat was going to cause problems with recovery or worse.  During 4 months of not eating a great deal, the pounds flew off, 90 plus to be exact.  It was discovered that the 'normal' amount thought needed to be healthy was not the norm for them.  For years, amount of calories to control weight was much lower than believed.  With the complete turn off to food, the push back from the table was much easier.  The sense of being 'full' happened much sooner than before.  Whilst the taste of food is completely gone, so is the revulsion to the sight of food.  Meals are on the very small side and need to eat has replaced the want to eat.

Two weeks on from surgery, the old geezer has to struggle to eat.  Some things are more repulsive than others.  Seems, soups go down well.  Round 2pm is when the attempt is made to eat.  There are a few cups of coffee and juice is drunk throughout the day.   Tons and tons of water are had.  What is with the dry mouth?

I have sat at table whilst house mates tuck into plates of food and it does not bother.  Even have helped out with preparation of.  I feel fine.  I have no hunger.  My healing seems to not be affected.  Can feel the ear getting better and the scar behind ear is doing nicely.

Truth be told, MOI has more than a little fat that can be lost.  It was thought that the large of amount lost over the last two years was pretty much the limit.  The scales seemed to not want to go much lower.

That may not be the case any longer.  The old geezer refuses to weigh in until the day before return to see doctor.  But, HE knows that the pounds are coming off.  Can feel it.  May well be massive amount of water at first, but then that was the case in first attempt to lose weight, the real weight dropped off as well.

As always, much of this post may be of no interest to some.  Readers of me blog are not plagued by extra weight and seem to possess perfect bodies........and pigs fly.....