Surgery for Parotid Gland tumor

[kraynok2]

Hi Everyone,
   I have been so busy researching my new tumor and with school work that I have not had time to be on the forum.  I'm in Pittsburgh tonight awaiting surgery for this deep lobe salivary gland tumor.  I will be in the hospital for 1-3 days.  The an was rare and this is more rare.  I guess I'm special!   
Sandy

[CHD63]

Hi Sandy .....

Not sure any of us would like to be this "special" but you are a real trooper about all of this.

As you already know, many thoughts and many prayers for a successful and uncomplicated surgery tomorrow!

Clarice

[leapyrtwins]

Sandy, sounds like you are both rare and special 

Good luck with your surgery.

Please keep us posted,

Jan

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Sandy ~

I think we're all somewhat rare and special.  I also trust that this surgery will go well and of course, you'll be in our thoughts and prayers so, be confident. 

Jim

[ksiwek]

Good luck!  Thinking of you...prayers your way!

Kris

[kraynok2]

Dear Friends,
   Well, I'm home. This recovery is worse than the acoustic neuroma was, even though it was shorter in length.  I have been pretty miserable. The incision is about 6 inches long.   I guess when he got in there, he found it pretty bad--wrapped around the facial nerve.  He had to be very careful. The doctor said he had to work through several branches, but kept the facial nerve intact and did not cut it.  However, due to the exposure of the nerve and manipulating it to work around it, the right side of my face and my lip is numb and there is facial paralysis.  The doctor said it should be temporary.  It could take months to recover.  You know what it feels like when the dentist gives you novocain.  Just think of that 4 days later and half of your face!  The tumor was sent to pathology and I won't know the results for a few days.  I hope the gas prices don't go up again, as I have to go back to Pittsburgh on Thursday to meet with the doctor and have the stitches taken out.  I had planned on being back to work the following Monday (May 16), but I may need a few more days seeing how it is hard to eat and talk right now.  And of course I am tired.  This experience just isn't as easy as the acoustic neuroma was.  I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.  I know I have to be patient with the numbness and paralysis, but please keep praying for a healthy recovery.
Sandy

[deheisel11]

Sandy,
You have my prayers for a speedy recovery.  As Clarice said, you have been a real trooper through all of this.  I hope things get better for you very soon.

[Keri]

Sandy,
I hope you can take it easy and not head back to work too soon. I hope and pray for a good recovery and you feel much better soon. I hope the temporary part of the facial paralysis isn't short.

Keri

[micca82]

Hi

One of my friend had the same surgery a year ago. She kept this private from everyone and told me about her case when she heard about my AN. She's doing so good now. No one can tell she had a surgery. She also had facial paralysis coming out of surgery. She says her tumor was pretty big and I think she said the surgery took 3 hours more than expected. (sorry, I forget how long she said it took)
Her face came back gradually and she went back to work at 3weeks out. There are very small areas on her face that are still numb, but there is no issue with movement. Like I mentioned earlier, no one knew about her surgery and no one could tell was anything wrong with her face.

I really pray that your facial issues go away as quickly as my friend's did. I have facial paralysis coming out of my 5cm AN surgery, and it's been 5 weeks. I keep telling myself to stay strong through this, but it's hard. It's just hard.

Hang in there-

[msmaggie]

Sandy,
I am hoping and praying that your recovery will progress at a steady rate.  I am so sorry you had to go through this! The numbness from Novocaine makes me crazy, so I can't even imagine what you have to deal with. The discomfort must surely be considerable.  Hang in there and give yourself time to adjust to all of this.

Priscilla

[LethaGriffin]

I know this post is older, but I wanted to comment and see if anyone else has had the same thing happen. I had surgery for my an in April of this year and during this time I was told I had a small tumor on my parotid gland (opposite side). The doctor said it needed to be removed because it can grow and typically turn to cancer within 5 to 10 years. I had surgery to remove it September 23rd. The recovery is definitely different. The swelling, pain, being tired and not being able to eat normal foods for a while are part of the recovery. Hopefully all will be better in a few weeks.

[alabamajane]

I think you are rare and special also,,,

I did not have a tumor on it  but had part of my AN side parotid gland removed during a surgery for the 12/7 nerve graft 4 days after AN surgery. So all of my recovery was "lumped into one" ,, but I did have some swelling and pain on that side of face and throat.

I hope your recovery goes well and that you see vast improvements very soon,,

Jane