On the medical front, my doctors are trying to figure out if we should push off my stimulated testing next week because of a swollen gland. Right now the right side of my face is very swollen and my amylase is elevated. It looks (physically and according to my blood tests) like something is going on with my parotid gland, which is one of the larger salivary glands, located right under the ear on either side of the face.
| Amylase | U/L | 511 | normal 28-100 |
We have been dealing with this for a while, just on the other side. About a month ago the left side of my face started swelling and hurting. I also had a bad taste in my mouth when I pressed on the swollen area. My ENT decided that I had an infected parotid gland and put me on antibiotics. The antibiotics didn't make much of a difference that I could tell. Slowly the pain has lessened, though it still peaks on occasion, especially when I try to eat something sour or first thing in the morning, as has as the swelling. Yesterday the right side of my face swelled and hurt, just like the left had, except more so and the left was back to shooting pain as well. The funny part is, there is no bad taste on the swollen right side, but there still is on the not so swollen left side.
My doctors agree that it could be a side effect from the RAI, but it seems odd that it started five months after the RAI. It could be mumps, it is going around our community even in vaccinated individuals who are showing previous immunity in blood tests. It could be an infection. Then there is always the very remote possibility, that my brain won't let go of, that it could be something more sinister.
My brother is in his first week of radiation for parotid cancer.
The probability is low, but I keep on beating the odds, and not in good ways.
As much as I know that God is running the world and that what ever comes my way is for the best, I still worry and my brain doesn't always let go long enough to rest and sleep no matter how tired I am. I lost my father to cancer when I was 16 and I don't want my children to grow up that way as well. If there is something there I want it gone now, early, and to treat it aggressively. I want to be around for my children's graduations, weddings and babies. I don't want any of their simchos tainted with sorrow.
All of this worry over some swollen glands, which I know are most likely benign, it is proof of lack of faith? I fear that almost as much as I fear another cancer diagnosis, and the circle continues.
