Ohhhh I've been wondering how you are & lovely to hear from you. I tried to send a message to you, but it wouldn't work & ended up sending it to myself

The pleomorphic adenoma is exactly what I had & im so pleased for you with the result. On the swelling front, the left side under my ear on my jawline is still bigger & a lot harder than the other side & that's 18 months on. There's a lot of trauma that's happened to the face, so it's quite likely the swelling may still be there. I would monitor it for the next couple of weeks & then go back if still not gone down. How's the movement? X

Oh that's good to know it's at least normal for the swelling. I Always get overly cautious / paranoid with these things haha. My movement generally is fine, it's just  maybe if I turn my head too Far left I certainly feel the swelling more. Generally though my head movement isn't really effected although I can constantly feel the slight heaviness in the swelling. Do you think this sort of thing would be fine to be sorted with Botox or something? Again I'm not overly concerned with it though, it's mostly something only I notice and it's not "that" uncomfortable. I'm also very happy to hear yours was pleomorphic adenoma too! Surgeons were convinced it was something worse due to the size and look of it, so that 4 weeks before finding out the result was long

I have had this operation twice and remember that there was very little information available when I was looking for some reassurance.

I can confirm that I was left with a very slight numbness around my right ear, cheek and neck.I'm not aware of it most of the time but in cold weather ( now!) it can ache a bit.

The first proceedure I had was very neat and involved pulling my ear back so nothing was noticeable on my neck. However, the second time I had a large scar on my neck which concerned me. However, it healed so quickly and within a few weeks it wasn't noticeable at all. This was all a few years ago now  and there is no visible scarring at all.

On both occasions I was still working and was back at work within 2 weeks despite having an infection after the first proceedure.

This post is old so not sure il get a reply I hope you are well can I ask where your lump/ swelling was, I'm due an ultrasound on my neck on Monday I've had swelling their over 6 weeks now  and I've got constant numbness kinda feeling on the side of my face / jaw bone just Infront of my ear nervous to find out what is causing the swelling on my neck and worried for my 2 kids if it does turn out to be C. Thanks

Hello,

I had a small lump on my neck below my jaw. You couldn't see it but I knew it was there. It didn't cause me any problems but after a while I did go to my GP as my sister had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer several years previously following similar symptoms.

I was immediately referred to an ENT specialist  and after a consultation and 2 different types of scan I then had my first surgery.The consultant told me that these type of lumps quite often come back and sure enough about a year later I was back having a further operation.Neither of these lumps were found to be cancerous and hopefully you will get similar news shortly.

Both my sister ( who had her thyroid remved) and myself have been well since then

i

Hi Jools. Just checking in after about 4 months since my operation. It still feels a bit like electricity when I touch the left side of my face, near with the scar is, so is quite an effort to shave. Was wondering if you have any problems in terms of an electric feeling on the side of your face / near where you had the operation. It's the only thing that bothers me about it now, so obviously every day I consider myself incredibly fortunate it wasn't worse, but I'm unsure what to do about this feeling, I always find mysef reminding my niece of my scar too because she tries to jump on me and I can't stand the feeling of her grabbing my face/neck. My surgeon told me the tissue is the longest to heal, and to see him again if it's not better in 2 years, but that seems a long way away, and the feeling is difficult, again, particularly when I shave etc. Is this anything like what you've experienced? 

Hi RedDragon

The numbness loss of feeling aound your jaw and ear is permanent. Due to nerves being cut through. However you will notice it less with time as much as you get on with enjoying everyday life.

A few things still irritate me. 5 years on I cannot wear a neck tie and hate anyone including myself touching that area it feels just plain weird. I hate shaving for the same reason although there is little to shave due to radiotherapy. I use an electric razor now as it is easy to cut yourself and not notice.

I had a dry mouth for a few years after the op but this has mostly resolved itself although bread can sometimes be tricky and oven chips, need lots mayo or sauce or vinegar.

I also sweat down the side of my face (Freys syndrome) if I eat very tasty food or even look at lemons. this is due to signal to make saliva not reaching the missing parotid gland and triggering the sweat glands in front of the ear instead.

Anyhow be patient while your body takes time to recover.

Hi RedDragon, lovely to hear from you. I'm 2 years down the line (19.2.21) & I still feel quite odd around the area of the scar. My numbness area got small as time went on, but the odd feeling of when it is touched hasn't really changed, so I would say that what you're feeling is probably quite normal. I am probably over sensitive in my head about it too, but only because I'm paranoid I may damage the area. I would also add that the movement of that side of my face didn't come back until 3/4 months later.

In summary I wouldn't worry & I think you'll find it improving month on month. Hope that helps x

Hi Jools

I'm glad you are making a good recovery, it certainly takes some time doesn't it.

I had a month course of radiotherapy after a radical neck dissection to remove the parotid gland and lymph nodes in my neck, The result of a metastatic squamous cell skin cancer I had on my head.  I dribbled into my tea and soup for many months, I had speech therapy and was given excercises to do to keep swallowing reflex going and to regain control of my facial expressions and mouth movements. The scar on my neck is almost invisible now but there is less flesh under one side of my jaw. Im pretty well cured now but still have that strange feeling when touching my neck.

Ive joined this forum as I've had a recurrence of squamous cell skin cancer - now removed - leaving a horrific 3" hole on my forehead, awaiting results to see if I need follow up radiotherapy. For some reason I'm more worried this time round.