BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 07:24 AM

On the right it was a stage 2 Wharthin (spg?) tumour in...

"the parotid, toward the rear. By CT, appears round and no outgrowths were detectable, indicating 99% chance benign. Will require removal of about a third of the parotid and cutting the sweat nerve. Muscle from neck will be cut and "flipped over" cut sweat nerve to try to prevent sweat nerve from growing back to skin and stimulating sweating every time I hear the dinner bell. I am aware of the other nerves and the consequences of a "slip" with the slice.

It was the size of a playing marble.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: bobad
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 07:48 PM

What was the problem with your right parotid?

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 07:29 PM

And, when I posted that question on one thread, it appeared on the other mirror thread.

Spooky!

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 07:27 PM

Why do I get two threads exactly the same?

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 07:11 PM

Well, f*** me! The left side is bad. Far worse than the right side was, and, that was nasty. I thought after two years I was in the clear. It's Beer's fault. He was here and spent an evening playing and singing and brought some fancy whiskey.... musta been the whiskey... musta been the beer.... but, I went chipmonk that evening and, since August 17, it's been a nightmare.

UNfuckingREAL pain and misdiagnoses by four docs (don't ask, you wouldn't believe it) - $400 worth of antibiotics for two months that make your bowels shake and dance when there is no infection (just got a new family doc that actually decided to take a swab (twice!) to see if I should be on antibiotics... no infection at all).

Anyway, I am to see the slice & dice doc tomorrow. All optins, hehehehe, are still open.

So, my expectations are not good. I can only assume a slice and dice much more invasive than the last one due to the fact that the entire parotid is swollen and hard as a rock and there is also a large lump just in front of the cheek bone.

So, I just thought I would post this summary because some of my Café friends know and some don't. If I am offline for a while, in a while, it's because I can't yell at the darn computer.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: jimmyt
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 10:47 PM

glad you are on the mend, Wildebeest! Some interesting neurological info you passed along. Got me scratching my head...At least I think it is my head. grin   jimmyt

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 05:57 PM

I eagerly awaited your in depth synopsis (hehehehe) but had no idea it would be so synoptic.... to the point of being not being.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: Patti
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 01:34 PM

Wow, it's really been over a year now. How time flies.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 05:04 PM

Patti. Well... even though it took you ten months, I am glad you came back to remind me it was gravol.

Glad to hear you are doing well.

I just regained the strength and mobility in my cut neck muscle about 6 weeks ago. Until then, I couldn't carry anything heavy or do any heavy work.

I sill have no feeling in the lower half of the ear and I still get itches and feelings "elswhere". For instance, when my jacket collar rubs my beard on the rear of the jawbone, it tickles just above the ear lobe... which I cannot scratch because there is no feeling. So, I have to scratch at the rear of the jawbone... which makes the rear of my earlobe hurt like heck and the top of my cheek, near my eye, tickle, depending on how hard, and exactly where, I scratch.

I have been able to sleep on it for up to a few hours at a time for a few months, but I get some very strange feelings and pains for a few hours after waking some days.

I ain't complaining. I am sharing. I am grateful that things got taken care of quickly and I sure as heck wouldn't care for the alternative.

See you next year. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: Patti
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 02:31 PM

Oh yeah...the motion sickness drug was gravol

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: Patti
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 02:28 PM

Wow, thought I'd come back and check up on this discussion. I'm surprised to see that someone else had the same procedured. We not surprised, but surprised. It's been awhile since I've been here.

I hope all is well for both Mariz & gnu.

Mariz - I've never had any trouble with my eye.

gnu - I've never had that experience with my ear itching.

I have feeling back in my ear and where the incision was, not quite the same as the other side of my head, but definately have some sort of feeling there.

Good to come back to this page, I'll have to check in a little more frequent.

Bye for now and take care!

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,Mariz
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 09:02 AM

I stayed in the hospital for 3 days and I was given an anti-biotic and painkiller plus the vitamin B-complex. I just continued the medication for a week except for the vitamin B-complex which im still taking.

The nurses took really good care of me coz im an obedient patient. Nothing really compares to the Filipina nurses and they are well known for having so much patience and very caring to their patients.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 04:38 AM

Never did take much medication. I refused the demerol injection they tried to give me when I regained lucid conciousness. I asked for the least they could give me and got two 325mg Tylenol with a sip of water. Began wretching (almost vomitting) immediately but kept the little buggers down until they could get some of that stuff (?) for motion sickness in the IV.

Gosh, it must be the fact that I am still half asleep that I can't remember the name of the motion sickness drug... it is a very common, "over-the-counter" drug. I continued the Tylenol every four hours for two days and then at bedtime only for three days.

If anyone is in a similar situation, take the demerol. The nurse was pissed off because she had to spend the extra time with me. Don't piss off the nurse in charge of the drugs.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,Mariz
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 10:18 PM

Ouch...that hurts. Hope it will not happen to me. Are you still taking medications? Just asking.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 02:27 PM

I am past the two pillow stage. I spent the first month on my couch using a rolled up "puff" and five pillows to allow a gentle incline and to MAKE me sleep on my back... or fall off the couch. Only have to fall off once and it doesn't happen again.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,Mariz
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 11:21 AM

That really sounds strange...i mean the scratching. I also feel the itching sensation and pain sometimes especially when i lie down with only one pillow. Try to raise your head by using 2 - 3 pillows when sleeping. That's what im doing now and i can sleep soundly. Also try not to lift heavy load...it also affects. Am also taking vitamin B complex (for the nerves) and 1 gram of vitamin C (for the healing of wound).

Until then...Mariz

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 10 Sep 05 - 09:50 AM

Thank goodness!!! I hope everything returns to normal... well, as normal as can be. It takes six months to a year to recover fully. Even then, there will be no "feeling" in the lower portion of the ear and a bit of the surrounding area.

Even after four months, I am still experiencing new "feelings", from itching to sharp pain. I have given up trying to sleep on it because I wake up with terrible pain sometimes, blood once. I think the pressure caused the cut nerves to send an "itching" sensation and, while (half) asleep, I rubbed my head against my pillow in an attempt to "scratch" it. Started to tear the ear away from my head but could not feel the pain. I didn't notice the blood until I looked in the mirror to shave. Scared the heck out of me!!!

But, it is kinda neat that I have to scratch my neck about 40mm below the ear to "scatch" my ear.

Keep us informed, Mariz.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,Mariz
Date: 09 Sep 05 - 11:11 PM

I went to an optha doc yesterday and good news that nothing serious with my eye...thanks God! The doc prescribed 3 kinds of medicine eye drops..can't read coz it's chinese characters. one eye drop every 2 hours the other one is every 3 hours...the last one is before sleeping. I also have to do the hot compress for 15 minutes..I think it works coz now am feeling better.

Thanks for hearing me out...

Mariz

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,Mariz
Date: 07 Sep 05 - 11:23 AM

As for the other facial functions, i can smile but can't open my mouth wide..due probably to the swelling. I don't have open wounds now..the weeping stops. I still have numbness on my ear, and i can still feel the tingling sensation on my jaw and cheek. That's about it..my real concern is my eye.

Will keep in touch..

Mariz

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Sep 05 - 05:06 AM

Refresh for mariz.............

BTW, mariz... to find this thread easily, type "Parotidectomy" in the filter near the top of the page, select an appropriate time, and refresh.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 05:19 AM

Glad to hear you can close your eyes and that you are going to see another doctore. Any change in the swelling? Have you lost any other facial functions... smiling, feeling in cheeks, others?

Thanks for joining this discussion and please keep us up to date.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,Mariz
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 03:33 AM

Hi again gnu, I had my operation in the Philippines but am now in China. My doc gave me clearance before i leave my country coz of work here. This Friday i will go to an opthalmologist for a second opinion. I can close my eyes but for the blinking not yet. Thank you for your concern. Will surely glad to hear from you again.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 31 Aug 05 - 05:17 AM

mariz: Where are you located? Does not sound normal (I am NOT a doctor) that you still have "swelling causing loss of facial muscle function and irritation." Where are you located? Any chance of a second opinion?

Glad to here that the tumour was benign.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,mariz
Date: 31 Aug 05 - 01:29 AM

Hi gnu and patti...i just had parotidectomy last july 25. Am experiencing an irritation to my eye, watery and sensitive to light. Did you experienced these? My doc said nothing to worry about coz my face is still swollen. And i still can't blink. The result is benign, thanks God.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 08:57 PM

Aw, darlin, you always did know how to turn a phrase.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: CarolC
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 08:04 PM

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 08:01 PM

CC... my dear friend... I posted as an anonymous guest at the start so especially you, and other of my friends here, would not know it was me. I didn't even tell my mother and my brother until a few days ahead of the surgery. The only people I told early on were the clerks where I bought my new housecoat, PJ's and underwear.

You were kinda busy with your own "things"... eh? Right? So, I didn't want to bother you.

No harm. No foul.

Hell... it wasn't really a big deal... everthing turned out fine.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: CarolC
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 07:33 PM

Somewhat belatedly coming to this thread to wish you both my sympathies for what you have gone through, as well as my hearty congratulations on your benign results.

Next time, if you're going to start a thread like this one as an anonymous guest, gnu, my friend, send me a PM so I'll know to keep checking it, ok?

;-)

Welcome to the Mudcat, Patti.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 05:09 PM

Oops. Just realized that I wasn't clear about the Rhan. Played for about twenty minutes and had to quit and drink a number of beers to dull the pain in my neck... NO, it was't the drum! All you REAL musicians just bite you tongue!

Could it be that God doesn't like the Rhan? I mean, between the arthritis, ganglion on a wrist ligament, and now, a cut neck muscle, perhaps.... nah, can't be... must be the guitar. I'm sure God's a drummer. Hey, thunder, right?

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 04:55 PM

No sweating resulting from salivation.

Ten percent chance of it happening on the other side? Shite. Didn't know about that. About five years ago, on the left side, I went "chipmunk". The parotid swelled waaaay up, fast, and I went to emerg quick. It was a "stone" plugging the duct. (I've got a good story about that one!!! Ends up with the female intern saying, "Wow! That was neat!") The high tech medical procedure for treating this? Suck on a lemon. Preventative therapy? Every couple of days, massage the gland gently from below the ear to the jaw, along the path of the duct.

Of course, after a while, you don't keep it up and you go chipmunk again - about ten times over five years, but only seriously enough to go to the doc once. And, it seemed to happen shortly after eating soft boiled eggs or fried eggs with runny, but still kinda thick, yolks.

As for the sticth, I talked to my cousin today and he said this is normal. Some of his "lasted" almost two months.

I didn't "go out" but I had a "blast" too. My infection meds were done on Friday and I blasted at home. Me, Moi and Jimmy Suis told each other stories and sang songs while drowning a few... too many. I got into trouble on the Mudcat in a thread because I had too much of a blast and got a little, no, a lot, mouty. Fuckin Irish, eh?!

Nope. Didn't go to the camp. Realized that my neck just ain't ready. I hurt it folding laundry. Folding laundry!!! Not carrying laundry down the stairs. Not mopping and vacuuming my mother's floors... folding laundry!!! Of course, when I had my blast on the weekend, I didn't have the brains to connect the rapid arm movements of "flicking" laundry during folding to playing the Rhan. Just thank goodness I make the Devil's Arc slowly (raising the beer mug to the mouth) or I'd be in serious trouble.

Alas, not all the feeling will come back for me. But I disagree with you when you say I have had a worse time of it. Perhaps a bit more inconvenience with the infection, but "tougher struggle"? No. And don't forget how lucky we are. Even though our mutual problem was a bit of a piss off, a bit of a worry, a bit of a strain on our loved ones, it pales, nay, disappears, when compared to what others have endured here at the Café during the same time period... kat, Max and others... hey, we are the lucky ones!

Anyway, I appreciate you post, your concern, your support, your "companionship" and sharing. And I hope all turns out well for you too. Keep us all apprised of your status, eh?

g

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: Patti
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 01:39 PM

gnu, I hope so too, that we never have to go through this again. And I also hope you'll catch up to me soon, feeling almost normal. My doctor said the type of tumor I had, that there's a 10% chance for it to develop on the other side and just to keep an eye on it. Then I will know in about a years time, if I end up having that Frey's sydrome or whatever it's called. It could take that long for it to develop. Hopefully we don't get that. You haven't experience any sweating on your cheek, have you?

I sure hope that you are not developing another infection, but it is strange that they left part of a stitch in. I don't think it'll cause an infection, but I'm not a doctor neither. For you sake, I hope you don't. It's been a tougher struggle for you than it has for me and I most hope that it's not going to be much longer for you.

It's been rough going back to work, things piled up in a short time. Finally unburied myself...took me a week and half to do it. Went out for the first time this weekend, had a blast...been a long time.

I hope you didn't overdo it at the camp and i'm glad the skeeters didn't get you too bad. I know you kept an eye on that area where you can't feel things yet. My doctor also told me the feeling will eventually come back, it could be six months before it does. And I have another followup appointment in July.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,gnu
Date: 04 Jun 05 - 07:41 PM

You are lucky that he didn't have to cut the nerve that let's you feel the earlobe and the area around the bottom half of the ear and the the surrounding half inch or so. It's a bitch when there are flies (blackflies, skeeters) around and you have to keep checking this area because you don't know if the flies are biting it. Plus, it's a bitch not being able to scratch the itch that occurs where you can't feel the scratch. I'll get used to it, I suppose.

When I hit my ear with a tee shirt, I know it. It hurts like hell when I touch the top of my ear... and I have no idea why. It shouldn't... really, it shouldn't... but, it does.

And, sweet sufferin Jaysus, the incision is itchy!!! The last four inches on the throat are painful to the touch but I have to scratch because the beard whiskers are driving me nuts! Shaving is going to be a chore because the incision is 'lumpy' right on the beard line. No razor there. Maybe I'll have to get an electric razor just for this spot.

And, today, I lifted the earlobe a bit whilst peeking in the mirror because something felt kinda strange. There is still a suture that looks like a piece of nylon sticking out of the cut in the front of my ear. The colour of it is clear, but it feels like about a ten pound test fly leader. I am to see the doc again next week, so I will find out about it then. I just hope this doesn't lead to another infection. I thought all of the sutures were to have been removed or dissolved by now.

I don't usually worry or ween too much, but, after what took place over the past few weeks, I can't help but be a slight bit trepidatious about it.

I am glad to hear all is well with you. I hope you continue to heal and that this never comes back.

g

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: Patti
Date: 04 Jun 05 - 07:02 PM

gnu, how's the healing process going for you? I'm almost feeling like normal here. Most of my incision has healed except the part below the ear, it's still scabbed over, not too much left. There's still a little swelling in front of the ear and under the incision, which is normal, no redness. I guess the numbness on the earlobe will be there for awhile yet - it'll be nice to have feeling there once again. I seem to find after it's too late that I've caught my ear in taking off stuff over my head, shirts that sort of thing. I guess I'ld have to yank pretty hard to pull an ear off, but it sometimes freaks me out. I know that wouldn't happened, it just feels weird is all.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,bobad
Date: 31 May 05 - 08:02 PM

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I'm happy that things worked out so well for the two of you. It seems the worst is over.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: Patti
Date: 31 May 05 - 07:01 PM

I got it now, gnu (lower case)...lol, now 101 posts.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 31 May 05 - 06:03 PM

Holy shit, a hundred posts. Only cause I talks so much I suppose.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 31 May 05 - 06:02 PM

That's lower case "g". I'm just one of the herd.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: Patti
Date: 31 May 05 - 05:52 PM

Thanks Gnu!

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 31 May 05 - 05:09 PM

Yeehaw!!! Good news. That's just GREAT! Excellent.

Thanks for sharing, Patti. It helped me a lot.

And to all who contributed to this thread and to all who PM'd with concern and advice and good wishes, I really appreciate you guys.
It really did help me a lot. I know it wasn't what you'd call very serious, but it was still one of those glitches you'd just as soon do without.

Thanks.

gnu

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: Patti
Date: 31 May 05 - 04:55 PM

I just got back from the doctor's and the result is benign, just as I had hoped for. So that's good news. It was a warthin's tumor, which is common with men and that there is a 10% chance that it will develop later in the other gland. I don't have to wear the hat any more and I have another followup appointment in two months. But if there is swelling, he wants me back asap and i will have probably have to wear the hat again I'm sure.

Apparantly the problem I had with my incision was common in smokers, the more you smoke the worst the incision looked. I smoke, I'm bad I know. He said my incision looks good and to continue cleaning it with peroxide and apply polysporn to it until it is all healed.

Well that's it for my update.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,gnu
Date: 31 May 05 - 11:25 AM

I have a full bug jacket, with bite-em-no-see-um mesh, in my fishing gear, two in my truck, two in my 4W ATV, two at the camp, and two in the hall closet. And, I gave a few away. They were on sale at the Co-op for $5 each a couple of winters ago. Unfortunately, it's difficult to sleep in one.

I was thinking about a large gauze bandage or two to cover the wound against dust and dirt, so that should help against the flies.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,Pat
Date: 31 May 05 - 09:13 AM

Good idea Bobad for Gnu, I don't know why I didn't think of that.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,bobad
Date: 31 May 05 - 09:06 AM

Hey gnu

Did you think of using one of them anti-bug hats with the netting that protects your face and neck ?

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: GUEST,Pat
Date: 31 May 05 - 08:47 AM

Thanks again for the support. Yeah I wouldn't want the blackflies and mosquito's biting me neither...you'll have to find some other kind of entertainment that doesn't involve bugs. I have faith that you will find something for the meantime. Unless you stay indoors at the camp. I know, I know, it's no fun being indoors right.

I'll let you know the results later this afternoon.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 31 May 05 - 08:24 AM

Just got back in from the doc's. All looks well as far as the doc is concerned. No swelling visually evident and only slightly red (I stopped 'squeezing' on Sunday afternoon sfter getting less than a drop five hours apart). It is scabbed over where the incision was open and it's as itchy as heck! One more check on the infection next Tuesday, after the antibiotics are done on Friday. Still almost four weeks rest for the cut neck muscle... tried to do a little work yesterday but quickly gave that up.

Now, my only concern is about the fact that this area behind the ear is the favourite target of blackflies and skeeters. I don't really want to put any fly dope on that area until it is well healed but I don't want to have any blackfly bites there either. I might not be able to get up to the camp this weekend - oh, the horror.

Can't wait to hear the pathology results, Patti. Got me fingers crossed for ya!

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: Patti
Date: 30 May 05 - 07:50 PM

NHL, greedy, greedy, money grab, I think. I wonder if they will recover after what happened this past season.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 29 May 05 - 03:42 PM

How many London fans are out there in Canuck Land? Rimouski's? Should be a heck of a game eh b'y!! Screw the NHL. I like this stuff better. What say ye?

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 29 May 05 - 03:24 PM

"amll" = mall. Or, of course, Memorial Cup Hockey!! Go Rimouski!!! (Crosby plays for them, so it's a Maritime thing, eh).

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: gnu
Date: 29 May 05 - 03:09 PM

Well, here in sunny New Brunswick, where it's been raining since the dawn of time, not so much. It's pretty much a groceries or amll or TV day.

Subject: RE: BS: Parotidectomy - expectations?
From: Patti
Date: 29 May 05 - 03:04 PM

It's pretty quite here for days, I guess everyone is enjoying their weekend outdoors.