Dad had his cancerous left parotid gland removed last night. Fortunately, I
was wrong about there being cancer in both sides. I've learned not to listen to
everything he says. Double check with my sister first. The surgeon commented
that the cancer had progressed very rapidly since he had last seen him and
there was no hope of saving the seventh nerve. As he entered surgery he had no
control of his lower left eyelid and the left corner of his mouth drooped
slightly. As he exited surgery he no longer had control of the upper left
eyelid and the left side of the mouth droops very noticeably. But he was able
to come home only 15 hours after the surgery ended. The incision was closed
with glue so there are no stitches. He hasn't complained at all of any pain
and has been in a good mood (despite describing the night alone in the hospital
as "terrifying")
Friday afternoon we have an appointment with a plastic surgeon to discuss the
possibility of nerve reconstruction which is done by removing a section of
nerve from the leg. We have already been advised that the procedure may not
work very well at all (ie, much less than full function restored) and the full
results (whatever they are) may take 18 months to show up.
He's clearly showing signs of some mental confusion which is beginning to worry
me more than the apparently defeated cancer.
Chuck Norrcutt
--
_________________________________________________________________
Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
|