A Side Of Riley Nobody Has Ever Seen (Or Smelled)

The INside.

Riley can't smell. We don't exactly know how long this has been going on and we don't exactly know what to do about it. I think she used to be able to smell. I think I can remember asking her how candles or shampoo or perfume smelled. I think she used to be able to smell lemons and BBQ and rain and campfires and cookies baking and jasmine blooms. But I'm not exactly sure.

Finally, when some eucalyptus cough syrup didn't knock her over when I said "Smell this," and shoved it under her nose, I knew it was time to see a doctor. (That stuff was STRONG!!! Same thing with tea tree oil. Anyone ever smelled that? She can't detect anything and that stuff smells like turpentine!)

We went to her regular doctor, who sent us to an ENT, who sent us for some lab work and a CT scan of her sinuses. Our followup was today and, well, there is absolutely nothing wrong with her. No allergies (darn, I was hoping it was the dog and I could kick him to the curb, hahaha). No inflammatory disease. No sinusitis. No abnormalities in the structure of her nose. Nothing wrong.

Except that SHE CAN'T SMELL.

Some people wouldn't think there is anything wrong with that, it's not like she is blind or that anyone could tell she has "Anosmia". But when the Doctor told her he really didn't know what he could do for her and she was probably just born that way, I could tell she was about to break down into tears.

Can you imagine not knowing if YOU smell? Or if something is on fire?! Or if your house stinks? Or if there is a natural gas leak? And so many of our memories are sensory memories related to smells! Not to mention taste is at least 75% smell. She said she can definitely taste but she is worried she has a diminished sense of taste compared to other people.

If she were suddenly losing her sense of sight or hearing, I think the doctors would be doing more to track down the problem. I'm guessing loss of smell just isn't taken as seriously.

So, for now, we'll hope it's a hormonal thing, or some vitamin deficiency that'll work itself out. I'm looking into whether or not we can get the insurance to cover a second opinion. Meanwhile, you can bet I'll be reading up on everything I can get my hands on related to loss of smell...and trying really hard to remember not to exclaim how great dinner smells since I get a glaring stare down whenever I forget! (Eh, who can blame her, really!)