When you are young, you are invincible and you cannot imaging getting old. Especially old like your grandparents. You breeze through most things and you handle them with panache.
When I was 22, right after my son was born, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Most people don't know that. I chose to have a vaginal hysterectomy at that time because I had no plans to have any more children. Being a single mom with one child after my divorce was enough for me to handle.
Since that time, I have been relatively healthy. I am not on a lot of drugs for any serious health issues and didn't really have any aches or pains until I went through menopause. Now let the fun begin.
Several weeks ago, I happened to be putting some moisturizer on my face and noticed a small lump right next to my ear. I had no idea how long it had been there but knew it was not normal, so I called and made an appointment with my GP.
She felt it, looked at my medical records and told me it was a Parotid tumor. A what? I had never heard of this before. Your Parotid gland is a salivary gland on the side of your face. You have one on each side. She assured me they are normally benign but she was going to order a CT scan and make an appointment for me to an ENT doctor in the group.
I went for the CT scan and waited on the results. The radiologist said it looked like a Parotid tumor, most of the time benign, but just to be on the safe side, recommended a biopsy. Doctor called to let me know that I would be receiving a call from the hospital because that is where needle aspirations were done.
So then I went to have the needle biopsy, which I had never had before, done. I had convinced myself I would just close my eyes which they were doing it but having a monitor right in front of me where I could watch the doctor thread a hollow needle in to this mass to get samples was so interesting to me, I forgot about closing my eyes. Then it was done and I was on my way home.
Now I get to sit and wait for those results to go back to my doctor so we can schedule a visit with an ENT so we can schedule a date for the removal of the tumor. This is advisable even when no cancer cells are present because they can grow and become cancerous. ( I did lots of research on Parotid tumors)
So I continue to go about my daily routine and wait to hear from the doctor. I could call everyone I know and tell them the whole story, but that would do no good. It sure wouldn't make me feel better. I feel fine.
I have decided that I am glad I was raised to face things with a positive outlook. If I had been like some people I know, I would already be digging my grave.
She ordere
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