As for others unexpected double take reaction to your new normal, try this.

We have one member from Canada (it might be CherylD) who adopted a really dry sense of humor in response to other peoples reaction to her neck surgery scar. When people would ask what happened, she had a couple of standard remarks; one was "shark attack" and the other was "husband tried to slit my throat".

I'm hoping you don't find that offensive, but I laughed so hard I about p***d my pants. Sometimes humor is the best therapy.

Tony

Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)

09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good