Two weeks ago today I had surgery for a Parotid Adenoma, or a benign tumour, tucked in along my Salivary Gland and just below my jaw line! The only true visual that would give away the fact that I have had any surgery is the impressive scar I now don, strategically zig zagged to follow along the base of my ear and then my jaw line. For the first few days there was some swelling of course and the scar was looking rather angry, but with bandages removed, poly sporin care and air it's looking much better. Facial nerves and muscle have been affected, most likely temporary but either way presenting challenges I've never met before!
Now, it's those funny little things that continue to make everything so interesting. For example, the numbness from below my ear lobe to half way down my scar and it feels oddly hard in that area and the top end of the scar is quite raised. So many weird little "feelings" and then the really quirky things, like spitting... something we totally take for granted. We all spit every time we brush our teeth, but presently my spit has no power behind it and even if I try, no direction! It's a very disappointing result! Chewing is challenging, doing most of it on the right side; the opposite side to the surgery. With every bite taken and even on the right side, the salivary gland immediately reacts as if I were eating something sour, the reaction a sensitivity that goes into super overdrive and if I chew on that side it is even worse; actually painful. Drinking is manageable until the cup is near empty and then apparently I lack the muscle to properly maneuver the last few dribbles available and end up ...well, dribbling! Straws are helpful though there too depending on the straw size lack the ability to fully engage my lips with the straw! Smiling too has a new personality, now my smile appears a little crooked, off centreat times! A little Jim Nabors-esque, or a tiny bit Mary Lou Retton.
Talking...crazy as it is this has affected my talking. Not that I talk any less, but in talking the movements of my mouth/lips may be a little awkward looking as the muscles or lack of presently,
work to form the shape of the words. After talking for a bit my lips actually feel rather tuckered ...like they've completed some prescribed workout. They feel like an elastic pulled to it tightest.When I haven't spoken in a while it feels like my jaw simply locks up and it's most uncomfortable and leaves my whole face feeling incredibly tense, which then follows in a massive headache.
Then just when one looks forward to tucking into bed, I lie down and yes usually beginning on my left side only to jump from the instant pain and being reminded that "oh yes, there's a scar there and it's sore and no I can't lie on that side of my face"...well, not without some very strategic thought in doing so! It hurts from below the ear down to the base of the scar from about half way from the chin.
I know I'll be gaging whether or not some of these "Quirks" dissipate with each week passing and hope indeed all will return to "normal", whatever normal was! I was already a Quirky sort so now I'm simply more interestingly quirky!
Those funny little things.
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