Question: Dear Dr. Virma,

Thank you so much for asking. I have to tell you, I am so grateful to you. Had you not suggested going to the ER, I would have suffered terribly for another day. I told my husband on Sunday what you suggested, that the pain and swelling warranted a trip to the ER, and he asked me if I could hold out until Monday morning, which was the next day. I called Dr. Auoud's office that Monday morning and they squeezed me in to their schedule. The swelling was indeed, more than he anticipated and he aspirated about 20 cc's from my face. He went over the pathology report, and it turns out it was mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the parotid gland, but was well contained by good margins. He removed 90 % of my parotid gland and showed me pictures that he had taken of the tumor, and the nerve involvement. Although, I am cancer free as far as he could tell, he recommended radiation therapy as if it returned, there would be no saving the nerve the next time. As mentioned before, he did end up cutting and pulling back on of the nerves in order to remove the tumor which was nearly 2 cm, 1 cm larger than he anticipated. He is going to recommended radiation to the board at Markey Cancer Center, and I imagine I'll begin it shortly. It will be six weeks of daily treatments, and hopefully, that will keep it from coming back.

I find it amazing that both my husband and I had cancer at the same time, and we did not know, but it was the testament to God's grace that both of our cancers were caught early. His prostatectomy was in February, so within six months, we both had cancerous glands removed. Ironic, huh?

This recovery is far worse than I anticipated. My face continues to swell with fluid. I aspirated 15 cc's last night, and so far the much tonight. I don't understand why it keep filling up, and wish it would stop. It is very painful, and yes, Dr. Auoad did refill the pain medication, but I do not like taking it. I manage to keep down to two doses per day, mixing it with Ibuprofen. I guess at 51, I'm not such a spring chicken, as much as I thought. I truly believe that this was the last of the hurdles, my husband and I had to jump, in order to be used of GOD in the future. I can now say to others as comfort, that not only am I a cancer survivor, but the wife of a cancer survivor, and he likewise. I'm sure that GOD will use these to build the Kingdom, and I'm only too happy to suffer for it. I do believe that the extent of suffering one has to bear prior to beginning one's mission is directly proportionate to the impact one's testimony trusting GOD for a magnanimous harvest. I really appreciate you, Dr. Virma, you have been a tremendous help. I hope some day in my travels to be able to meet you and shake you hand. I know that the LORD will be taking me places I never dreamed with the LOVE'S MUSES books, because I have fire in my belly to bring the Gospel and hope to millions, giving them reason to turn to and trust GOD for all things. When we have GOD, we need nothing else, because the GOD of the universe can flip our circumstances in one breath.

I'll be keeping in touch, I'm sure I'll have questions when I begin radiation therapy. Thank you again for your concern, I am humbled and touched by your caring.

Blessings,
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