Posted 2016-01-27T02:30:32Z

Derek and Angela news

The effects of radiation seem to be catching up to Derek. He is getting more tired and forgetful lately. One of the areas where the arc of radiation goes is visible in Derek's hair line. He has had some pain behind his eyes today as well. 1 1/2 weeks of radiation left.

I met with the Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon today. However, there was confusion on the oncology date. I was told Tuesday, the letter they sent said Tuesday the 27th but I did not notice the discrepancy. Thus I went in on Tuesday and the actual appt is the 27th.

After talking to the surgeon, I will need surgery in a couple weeks to remove the cancer. The extent of the surgery will only be known when she is in there. She plans to try and only remove the parotid gland. The incision would start in front of my ear and track under it and back a bit. Once the tumor and the gland are out, the Pathologist will look at it while I am still under and decide if more needs to be removed. If that is the case, the surgeon will then take lymph nodes out too. That would be a much larger incision extending along my jaw. While they are doing the surgery, if they feel the cancer is tracking along any of my nerves they would have to sever them.

For sure I will lose feeling in the lobe of my ear as that part of the nerve will be cut. More potential nerve loss would depend on the extent they have to take out. The surgeon removing the tumor will also have a plastic surgeon with her as she does the surgery. The plastic surgeon will have to fill in the tissue behind my ear (filling in the gap left after removing the tumor) before closing the incision so there is not a big indentation left where the parotid gland should be. There will be a drain from the surgery area and I will need to wear a jaw bra(a face wrap of sorts). After the tumor is removed and assessed they will be able to tell if radiation will be needed. That would then be 4-6 weeks after surgery if needed. I will also go in for a chest scan prior to surgery to make sure that the cancer has not spread beyond the known area.

Derek's radiation will be done the beginning of February. We really had nothing to do between the end of his radiation and the start of his study(which we still do not have exact dates on. But it should be sometime around the beginning of March). So timing for my surgery should be just about right! :)

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