Lately, the odds are pretty high of
finding me at a standstill in front of the open fridge sniffing barbecue sauce
or with my nose in the jar of kalamata olives.
A month ago, I had the
cold-to-beat-all-colds. It went on for weeks. I cancelled events, coughed as
though contributing a lung, and mainlined Nyquil to sleep.
In the last days of it, the coup de
grace that had me begging for mercy was the pain across my face. I’d never had
a sinus infection before, but I was pretty sure that’s what this was.
Dr. Google shared with me that usually
antibiotics are of little use for this, you just have to wait it out, so I
never went to my doctor. As someone who’s rarely sick, it doesn’t usually occur
to me to go shopping for over the counter medications, but I sped to the decongestant
aisle and stocked up, which helped somewhat.
I’m over the hump now, but there was an
after-effect that took me a few days to recognize.
I’ve lost my sense of smell, and my
sense of taste seems reduced.
For someone who loves food as much as
I do, this is world-shattering.
No, I didn’t have Covid. I tested
negative, but I’ve read that a sinus infection can have the same result.
Continued research suggested that there might be a solution.
I need to re-train my brain and
re-connect it to my nose.
The method involves using several
different familiar – and strong – smells. For instance, a cut lemon, some eucalyptus oil,
or rosemary. Sniff each one for 25 seconds and try to recall what it tastes
like, or a memory that connects to that scent. For instance, chlorine might
remind you of a summertime swimming pool. I need to do this twice a day, and
depressingly, this could take weeks if not months.
I really need to get this sorted.
This past weekend while out to dinner I ordered a gin and
tonic that had no taste whatsoever. Now we’re talkin’ serious.
