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'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....
*********************
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!
I'm so happy to see have discovered your blog and read how everything has worked out for you. I've not read it all yet but will do in the next couple of days! I was diagnosed with a pleomorphic adenoma this week (after initially being told I had a paranganglioma and spending a week stressing about that unnecessarily - google it you'll see why!!) so I'm on the waiting list for surgery (could be up to 3 months) and starting to feel a whole lot more postive about it now. It's lovely to read your blog and how you found it, these are the bits the medics don't tell you and I've never been in hospital in my life so it's all a bit daunting! Thank you so much for telling your story. Emma (UK) :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Emma,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I'm just now catching up on comments on here. By now it's been a few months - have you had surgery? My journey felt like it was taking forever to recover, but in reality it was just a few months until I was pretty much back to normal life. And now it's 2 years, 9 months since the surgery and there are weeks that go by without thinking about it. I've got all of the feeling back, and really don't think about it one of my children hug me a little too hard around my neck and it hurts a little. But thankfully it's healed amazingly well, and life has gone on as if it never really happened. I'll be thinking of you, so if you read this, please let us know how you are doing.
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ReplyDeleteI am 9 days post-op and typed in "parotidectomy sucks" and got your blog. I can't believe how well you wrote all that I am feeling. I thought for SURE after 9 days I would be back to normal. I get depressed thinking that I will NEVER be normal. I'm so glad to read that it all really does finally end and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am also so thankful my tumor was benign. Thanks for sharing. I do NOT have the energy to blog for sure!
ReplyDeleteI am 9 days post-op and typed in "parotidectomy sucks" and got your blog. I can't believe how well you wrote all that I am feeling. I thought for SURE after 9 days I would be back to normal. I get depressed thinking that I will NEVER be normal. I'm so glad to read that it all really does finally end and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am also so thankful my tumor was benign. Thanks for sharing. I do NOT have the energy to blog for sure!
ReplyDeleteI'm 10 days post op and your blog is helping me see similarities in my healing and hope of future return to normal. I have unfortunately been unable to get the rest my body needs. I actually started work 6 days after my surgery as I signed a contract to work with a tax company for the income tax season. I was previously at home with my children and long story short we moved as a family to my parents last fall and I began looking for work when my hubby didn't pass his 3 month probation at a new job. He since has started a new job with less pay so I am needing to work and after this contract seek a more suitable long term position. I have been putting in 9-10 hour days when travel is included and then coming home to feed my 2 girls and get rhem to bed with a little help from my husband (he gets home at their bestime). I am still very swollen but can hide it with my hair. I have been needing to put ice on my left side of my face/neck to stop the burning after the kids have gone to bed. I am doing my best to not take any medicine. I am disappointed that I can't yet put my earring back in and pray the holes don't close. I have severely dry skin on my ear now and tge top stitch of my fissolveable stitches sticks out and bugs me. I am dying to start putting cream or something on to help the itch and dryness. I also desperately want a normal shower without having to worry about getting my stitches wet. I definately was not prepared for the post op healing process, etc. I actually had my interview for my new job 2 days post op and wore a sweater turtleneck to hide my tube and stitches. I'm really hoping i get some downtime this weekend. Tough with an 18 month old and a 3 year old (19 months apart) lol. Well, just wanted to say, thanks for your blog and tge encouragement I have gotten reading it.
ReplyDeleteBethany
Hi Bethany,
DeleteOh my goodness, I am so impressed you've been able to go back to work so quickly, although it sounds like you really need some time off to let your body heal. I can understand how hard it must be with small children, and then having to balance work with that must be crazy. Please stay strong and know that it does get better. It absolutely does. You'll have that earring back in your ear in no time, and the dry skin will get better.
I wish you lived near me, I'd offer to take the kids off your hands so you could rest. My two kids would love to have buddies to entertain! Please keep us posted as you recover, praying it's getting better.
xoxox,
Kym
Hi, I'm approaching 5 weeks post op but had and still have wound Seroma . It's been pretty awful and a lot of pain and swelling every time I eat . If it wasn't for this complication I would be back at work and fighting fit. I hope it will sort itself out over time and I've only needed it aspirated once . I would post a couple of photos but not sure how to . I have to see my surgeon in 4 weeks so he can check the wound Seroma and assure me it will eventually return to normal . I have found all your comments very helpful so thank you ��
ReplyDeleteHi Kym! Really enjoyed your blog. I am preparing for a superficial parotidectomy and saw you mention a side effect where everything sounds like it's in a tunnel. This is the first I have heard of this and I am wondering if you ended up experiencing this?
ReplyDeleteThanks and well wishes!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI've had a parotid tumour under my left ear removed yesterday. It was a very tricky 4 hour operation and as the lump was wedged right under the facial nerve the surgeon expected very severe weakness and my face to drop as a result. I am so happy to report that hasn't happened miraculously but I am just in a state of shock and can't stop crying. I look totally normal apart from a bit of puffiness and a huge bandage wrapped round my head! But I have weakness round the left side of my mouth so it's very hard to lick my lips, wrinkle one side of my nose and talking feels weird. My ear is also really painful like it has popped on a plane and my left eye is a bit blurry. Has anyone else experienced these kinds of symptoms and did they improve? The surgeon said he doesn't know whether they will be temporary or permanent and I will have to wait up to 6 months to find out. It's so good to find a forum where others know what you have experienced and to see how someone has come through this so well. It gives me hope.