Two articles. One chef loses his taste and smell and 'Nil by Mouth'.

sweetblood22
sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I sort of wondered what happened to Carlo Middione as I haven't seen him on the food scene for a while.  I sort of figured it was just because I have been out of the food loop since 2007.  My dad was cooking for me so I wasn't and then I didn't eat any food for nine months with the side effects from my radiation.  Lemme just tell you that I was a huge fan of Carlo's and whatched his show, Carlo Cooks Italian, religiously.  His book, The Food of Southern Italy, was well used in my kitchen.  You see,  it was as if my great grandmother had written that book.  I had all the well loved favorites of my life that my great grandmother, Lena, never wrote down.  I loved his palate, his recipes worked every time.  Caponatina, Soup with the little meatballs, egg plant parm... Good stuff. 

I cried a bit when I read this article.  I cried for Carlo's loss, for what I knew I went thru losing my ability to eat and taste and I cried with a little bit of relief that some of my taste and ability to eat has returned to where it has.   It may not be perfect, but it's more than some. For that I'm grateful.   

http://chicago.grubstreet.com/2010/01/roger_ebert_misses_dining_not.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/28/DD921G1Q4A.DTL



Roger Ebert. Wow. Still shocked and amazed reading about this amazing man and his amazing attitude. I just don't think I am as strong as he is!


http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/01/nil_by_mouth.html

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    WOW
    Some very good reads Dawn, I wasn't aware of the man's accident either, ...very sad indeed.

    John
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #3
    Live to Eat
    Hi Sweet, thanks for the articles, I enjoyed them both. Quality of life . . . what a thought. If I'd been told I'd never ride a horse again as a result of my treatments, that would have been o.k. We all eat though, and excepting those in a hurry to "be" something or another, we all love to eat. For the gourmets, gourmands, and bon vivants, the loss is greater. The more subtle your tastes have become, the more you seem to lose. Both the chef and Roger have found ways to help them deal with their loss, one with textures the other with memories. I know your taste is slow to return Sweet, and I'm always hoping it will get better for you.

    best, Hal
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Hi Sweet

    Sad to see something like that and just goes to show cancer respects no one. I could not help but to think about Chef Daddy Mike while reading his story.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #5
    Hondo said:

    Hi Sweet

    Sad to see something like that and just goes to show cancer respects no one. I could not help but to think about Chef Daddy Mike while reading his story.

    Take care
    Hondo

    Quality of life.
    I have to tell you the biggest part of me was not scared of dying If I did or didn't do treatment. (not scared of actual death. Scared of the painful bit in between). It was a quality of life thing for me. I didn't want to stick around if I could no longer eat. As you know I was and am a live to eat kinda gal. I admire Roger Ebert's grace and tenacity and how he seems to accept his life now. I really hope Carlo Middione can some how get his taste and smell back.

    I think quality of life was why I sought three opinions.
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #6
    sweetblood22 said:

    Quality of life.
    I have to tell you the biggest part of me was not scared of dying If I did or didn't do treatment. (not scared of actual death. Scared of the painful bit in between). It was a quality of life thing for me. I didn't want to stick around if I could no longer eat. As you know I was and am a live to eat kinda gal. I admire Roger Ebert's grace and tenacity and how he seems to accept his life now. I really hope Carlo Middione can some how get his taste and smell back.

    I think quality of life was why I sought three opinions.

    Quality of life
    Love of food, cooking & eating. Allthough each day is better it sure has been a rough ride.
    The social aspect of it all is taken away & we handle it & try to live with it. Other's do not understand & that is the tough part. I know I was not as prepared as I should have been. Adjustment's have to be made & it is tough but we do it. I keep telling myself at least I am able to have that option.
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #7
    sweetblood22 said:

    Quality of life.
    I have to tell you the biggest part of me was not scared of dying If I did or didn't do treatment. (not scared of actual death. Scared of the painful bit in between). It was a quality of life thing for me. I didn't want to stick around if I could no longer eat. As you know I was and am a live to eat kinda gal. I admire Roger Ebert's grace and tenacity and how he seems to accept his life now. I really hope Carlo Middione can some how get his taste and smell back.

    I think quality of life was why I sought three opinions.

    Quality of life
    Love of food, cooking & eating. Allthough each day is better it sure has been a rough ride.
    The social aspect of it all is taken away & we handle it & try to live with it. Other's do not understand & that is the tough part. I know I was not as prepared as I should have been. Adjustment's have to be made & it is tough but we do it. I keep telling myself at least I am able to have that option.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    rozaroo said:

    Quality of life
    Love of food, cooking & eating. Allthough each day is better it sure has been a rough ride.
    The social aspect of it all is taken away & we handle it & try to live with it. Other's do not understand & that is the tough part. I know I was not as prepared as I should have been. Adjustment's have to be made & it is tough but we do it. I keep telling myself at least I am able to have that option.

    Quality of Life

    When I wonder how bad can it get, I find that there is always someone who has it worse then me. I am loosing my hearing, my eye sight and ability to speak and swallow due to having radiation treatment twice and find my self down in the dump about it sometimes. But then I look and see someone like Joni Eareckson Tada, with all the tribulations in her life she does not find time to complain but forces herself to more forward by the Grace of God.

    Not sure what the out come for me will be in the next year or two, but I too pray Gods will to be done.

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