Michelle,

I "really" enjoyed beer and wine prior to cancer and even though I was mildly allergic to it would enjoy a glass of wine or beer with my wife after work when we would cook dinner for the family. That was our time together, enjoying great wine and making good food. Many of those recipes we developed during that time we use in our restaurant today. When I played poker (every Thursday) I would enjoy Glenlivet 12 single malt scotch, such a great sipping whiskey.

When I was finished with tx and surgery I was told no alcohol as my mouth would be too sensative. When I had my PEG my ENT said it was OK to have an occasional shot to relax but not to take any breakthrough meds if I did. When I had the PEG removed, it was back to being "dry".

I was OK with that and didn't have anything to drink due to how sensative my mouth was for over a year afterwards. When I could try it again, I found wine and the hard stuff too much for my mouth so I stuck to beer, which I love. Unfortunately my mild allergic reactions to it were causing issues in my mouth so my ENT told me it wasn't a good idea and I needed to eat more yogurt for probiotics. It's taken some getting used to...and I miss beer and wine but mostly because I own a restaurant that has an exceptional wine list (thanks to my wife) and ten different types of my favorite beer on draft. I get to choose all of the beer which is fun but also frustrating because I can't drink it anymore.

I think it would be easier if it were "out of sight" and therefore out of mind however I'm adjusting. It's amazing how different socializing is without being able to eat and now drink alcohol...and amazing how difficult it is to feign interest in truly boring people!