I have malignant salivary gland cancer

Hi, didn't see that there was a thread for cancer in general, but was wondering if anyone had experience -- personal or ancillary -- with malignant tumors in the parotid gland.

(What's the parotid gland? Fuck if I knew -- before a mass starting growing in front of my right ear a few months ago.)

Ten days ago was I was diagnosed with a high grade carcinoma there. Anyway, not looking for sympathy, but if anyone can share experiences. I live in CT and my doctor is at Yale and slated in the next two or so weeks to remove the malignant tumor, the parotid gland, and the lymph nodes on that side. Hopefully while not clipping my facial nerve and leaving me with facial paralysis -- a possibility he puts at 50/50. Then he has to fill the crater left by the removal of the parotid gland, so he'll will take a chunk of my thigh and put that in my cheek and fuse veins and arteries. Six weeks after that, I'll get radiation for six weeks at the very least. No more beard-growing for me.

I'm 48 and luckily I already landed a keeper of a wife, because best base scenario I'm gonna look uglier than I already do.

Have a second opinion appointment at Sloan Kettering on Thursday.

Had a PET scan and the cancer seems to be localized and it does not seem to have metastasized, but right now they don't know the exact form of salivary cancer.

Any experience with this?

Thanks in advance,
Boogie

 

No experience, but just want to say I'm glad you've kept your sense of humor and levity with what is undoubtedly a scary situation. That will help you through this. Best of luck.

 

I know you said you aren’t looking for sympathy but I’ll throw some in the bag for free. That’s got to be a gut punch and I won’t pretend to understand how it feels. Pulling for you man.

 

Good luck.

 

Sorry to hear about this, CD. You will beat this, return to normal, AND still be married to your keeper wife.

We're all here for you.

Because I was curious ...

 

I don't have any direct experience with this, but my best friend is a two-time cancer survivor. The second time, it was in the same general area. They had to take out a chunk, though not as large as yours, nothing that required reconstructive surgery. He had to go through chemotherapy and radiation when it was done. So much hinges on keeping the right attitude, having a strong support system, and listening to the doctors. A little faith can help, too, if that's your thing.

Best of luck.

 

No experience or knowledge, other than having had friends and family with various cancers, as all of us at a certain age have likely had. You're doing the right thing - seeking treatment and moving on it as quickly as possible, as well as getting the second opinion. Just try to maintain an even strain and roll with it. Remember that sometimes the docs get things wrong, and that once they get more scans/take a biopsy/get in there surgically things are subject to change, whether for better or worse. Try not to get too high or low as the process moves forward.

Best of luck to you. Keep us posted if you feel like doing so. We're good for cheerleading and sympathy if nothing else.

Oh, and Fuck Cancer.

 

Best of luck and know you have the support of this community behind you.

 

Good luck, CDB.

 

Keep Pounding, Boogie. As Moddy and others have said, vent here if need be. Take care.