Three years ago Sunday I had a parotidectomy to remove a tumor on my jaw, a tumor which turned out to be low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Things were a bit scary for awhile: my saliva glands didn't heal properly and I got a huge spit-blister below my ear; then it became apparent that my nerve endings had become confused and so I would sweat on the outside of my jaw in one spot instead of salivating inside my mouth.
Today the doctor told me that my having reached 3 years with no sign of the cancer's spreading means I've got about a 90% chance that it won't ever come back. If I'm still this good in another two years' time, I will be considered virtually "cured."
*knocks on wood so as not to tempt fate*
Yes, I still have a big ol' Frankenstein scar down my neck from where the skin was peeled back, but it's faded now. Yes, I still have one dime-sized spot on my right jaw where I sweat every time I eat certain foods (chocolate-- always with chocolate) instead of salivating inside my mouth. But the tumor has not grown back, nor has it (apparently) spread to my thyroid or lymph nodes.
*knocks on wood yet again*
Things are looking pretty hopeful. :)
Yea! And here's to it never showing up again.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being free for the past three years. And I pray it will never come back. I selfishly want you to be around for a very, very long time, so I can continue to enjoy your posts. I don't always comment, but I do enjoy them. *big grin* It would have to be chocolate. *eye roll* Why couldn't it be cauliflower or something equally innocuous. (My apologies to all the cauliflower lovers out there.) In the words of my favorite Vulcan, live long and prosper.
ReplyDeleteThe world needs you healthy, Lisa. So many more words to write. So many more stories to tell.
ReplyDeleteOnly in health...