The Art of Chewing

I'm amazed at how I can take little things for granted until I'm no longer able to do them. Do you ever think about the act of chewing? Seems pretty straight forward. You put food in your mouth, you chomp up and down and then swallow. But do we ever really ponder how all the glands and the tongue and teeth work together?

I have a severely swollen lymph node or salivary gland on my left jaw just under/behind my left ear. Chewing food is excrutiating. It's day 4 into this 'journey' and it's starting to get to me. My last real meal was Sunday night. I've been drinking protein shakes since Monday. I tried eating a grilled cheese sandwich on Tuesday night to no avail. I gummed oatmeal for dinner last night. All I really want is a nice juicy cheeseburger. The boys have had to fend for themselves since I can't eat food, I'm not cooking. The doctor has me on penicillin as he isn't quite sure what it is. Wish me luck that it goes away soon!