2 year post op for pleomorphic adenoma surgery

Today I had my 2 year follow-up with Dr. Chalian, my ENT down at HUP (the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania). Hard to believe it's been two years since the surgery where he removed the pleomorphic adenoma from my right parotid gland. I am thrilled to report it hasn't grown back and everything is healing just as it should!

I'm also happy to report that I'm able to sleep fine, turn my head fine, and do everything I could before the surgery. I am able to pinch the bottom of my right earlobe and feel the pressure, but there's still just a faint bit of tingling, like an "asleep" feeling. 

Now... A lot of the rest of this is a repeat from my last update... Some things may never change, I suppose. And I'm okay with that.

If I run my fingers down the incision scar, starting from the top of my ear, I don't feel any pain or loss of sensation until I get to the exact location of the parotid gland (where the base of my ear connects to my cheek). From that point down to the end of the incision I can feel tenderness when it's pressed. I feel nauseous when that area is touched, even very gently. My kids like to brush my hair, and if they happen to run their fingers or the brush over that area, it immediately causes me to jump and retract. But the pain goes away as soon as nothing is pressing on it.

I sometimes feel a little sensitivity to cold weather, but I just wrap up in a scarf when I go outside. Not a big deal. And there's still a sensitivity to sour foods and spicy foods - I feel a sharp sting when I chew on the right side while eating those foods. But otherwise I'm able to chew and eat with no problems.

I'll add in that back in May (20 months post op), I had 3 impacted wisdom teeth removed. The oral surgeon didn't want to risk removing the lower right tooth, as the root had clearly wrapped down and around the facial nerve. I had explained the parotid surgery, and he didn't want to take any chances trying to pry the tooth away from the facial nerve, as it had already escaped injury from this surgery. And we all know this one impacted wisdom tooth will be the only would that would cause me pain and discomfort in the future; I pray I don't regret letting it stay.

I'm also happy to report I haven't experienced any of the sweating issues around my cheek or neck from the surgery. Apparently that's a common side effect. The nurse tells me if it's going to happen, it shows up between two and five years post-op. But so far, so good!

Now I'll just report back to the ENT once a year....

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I just looked back over some parts of this blog, and wanted to update on one thing that I seemed awfully depressed about when I was 2 weeks post op. I wasn't able to get great big bear hugs from my children at that time. But I'm HAPPY to say that only lasted a few days before I felt well enough to get hugs again. Great big giant, wrap-your-arms-around-me-and-squeeze type hugs. And now, 2 years post op, there's nothing I can't do with the kids. We wrestle and play around, and nothing bothers me unless something hits that lower section of the incision. And even that's not too bad. So, if you're reading this and you are sad thinking about things you may be missing out on from surgery, stay positive. There is light at the end of the tunnel! I am thrilled with my recovery, and would do this over again in a heartbeat!

17 month update

I've been a real slacker with this blog, but I wanted to update with how things have progressed for me. It's now been just about 17 months since my parotid tumor (pleomorphic adenoma) surgery, and I'm finally in a really good place, both physically and emotionally.

It was hard for a while not being able to jump back into my normal workout routine, but by last spring (about 7 months after the surgery) I was back to my normal runs (3-4 miles a few times a week), and normal weightlifting. I also started a few high intensity workout classes at our local Y and loved them. No problems whatsoever from the parotid gland, and no pain in my neck or face.

One thing I just recently realized is that I'm starting to get the feeling back in my lower right ear. I'm not sure when it started happening, but one day last week my kids were asking me about my scar and my neck, and I touched the bottom of my right ear and realized I could feel my hand. I pinched the ear lobe and could feel it too. I have full feeling around the part of the scar where it connects to my ear, and it's not even a little bit painful.

What does hurt still though is the area where my parotid gland is located - just below my ear, at the base of my jaw. It's only painful to the touch though, so I do everything I can to be sure the kids don't bump it. I also don't wear turtlenecks, as the feeling of something pushing against my neck causes some pain and nauseousness.

The incision area is still quite sensitive to the cold air, so I wear a scarf almost at all times during these chilly winter months. The scarf only bothers me when it's pushed up tight against my neck, so I've learned to wrap it lightly to keep it from causing any pain.

Food sensitivities still exist, but are not nearly as painful as before. Lemonade causes immediate shocking pain. As does anything else sour - sour candies and drinks. I like orange juice, but try to keep it on the left side of my mouth before I swallow it. Weird, but it can be done.

Thankfully I do not experience any of the neck sweating I have heard others have had after the surgery. And thankfully the scar has blended in quite well. After my ear you can't even tell... but down my neck is still red, and is very obvious to me, but most people don't even notice. Or they don't ask. Either way, I'm fine with it. I'll post a picture once my husband gets home and snaps one tonight.