It's The Little Things That Make A Difference

Today’s lesson is about (a few of) the side effects of surgery.  I certainly can’t complain about my overall health concerning MCC – I can work, I’m in no real pain and the prognosis is hopeful, but as with anything it’s the little things that count.  So for the sake of completeness for those who haven’t had any surgery (or at least not had surgery of the neck), here some surgical side effects to watch out for.

My “big” problem now is mouth weakness.  I was warned at the outset that because of the location of my tumor, (toward the back of my right cheek, about even with the bottom of my earlobe) there was a small chance that a nerve would be severed, a motor nerve that controls the side of the mouth, which would leave me with a droop at the corner.  Fortunately, this didn’t happen for the right neck surgery, but since the left neck surgery, there’s a motor deficit at the left corner of my mouth.  It’s not really a droop, and I haven’t asked a doctor what’s exactly wrong, but it involves the muscle that pulls my lower lip down away from the teeth, leaving me with a lopsided grin – sort of an anti-droop.  It also puts that part of my lip near the path of my upper and lower teeth during chewing, resulting in several good chomps to that that area.  This causes Leslye no end of amusement, so I kick her shins under the table to keep things even.  It was alarming at first to have the fatigue around my lips and the anti-droop because it causes me to stumble over words if I talk a long time.  These nerves may or may not grow back or they may grow back incorrectly.  So far, the people I mention this to have been kind enough to refrain from commenting on what a blessing this will be for them, but I read out loud to Leslye most nights for exercise, so I should be up to prattling speed shortly.

The neck surgeries also cut out some feeling in my neck and face.   Nerves were cut that provide a good deal of sensation to the right side of my face and ear, under the right side of my chin and neck, and upper right shoulder;  the numbness on the left side is limited to mostly under my chin.  I’ve gotten used to it, but for the longest time it felt like my shirt was unbuttoned and coming off my right arm.   I’ve also got a sore jaw.  I never expected this, but thinking about it, it makes sense: the surgeon cut through and around several neck muscles and I’m sure there’s an imbalance that’s going to cause problems for the untouched muscles that are used to having everyone pitch in for chewing duty.   

From what I understand, the nerves will eventually grow back.  Depending on where and what was severed, this can take anywhere from 6 weeks to two years.  For me, having the nerves grow back is the most irritating part.  After the initial pain of having the incision made, the nerves in that area that haven’t been damaged are actively reporting a surgical incision; this fades after a week or two.  After that, the nerves that have been cut or damaged have regenerated enough to start sending signals to my brain.  The signals are not necessarily correct, but they’re constant.  The formerly numb parts of my skin become sensitive to touch, making it uncomfortable to have anything (like clothing) brush against it.  This is quite often accompanied by random pricks, pinches, tingling and itches (that can’t be scratched!) that occur over the numb areas.  There have been several times where I’m sitting quietly in front of the computer or TV when suddenly I’ll exclaim “Ouch!” for no apparent reason.  There is a reason of course: somewhere, two nerves are growing closer and closer together when suddenly – snap! – a spark jumps between them right before they connect.  This is when I get pinched by a regenerating nerve (or so I like to imagine).  Pain killers don’t touch it, but for me, it’s more of a constant nuisance rather than debilitating condition.

Which brings me to the last complaint: fatigue.   From simply a physiological standpoint, surgery is stressful to your body and it takes a lot out your body’s energy to recuperate.  It usually takes between four and six weeks to get back on your feet fully after a major surgery.  Additionally, there’s the drain of getting used to all these new sensations, the drain of frustration from not being able to move the way you used to,  the drain of low-level but constant discomfort and the drain of stressing over everything mentioned above.  This last is also called “sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

Though I’m much better about it than before, being SATOBSAT is by far the worst part of this.  I’m not much for sitting of front of the TV and would much rather be actively recreating then passively vegetating.  When forced to take it easy, I start getting irritated (and irritating) about all the fun things I’d rather do but am too worn out for;  I’ve lost half my weekends to afternoon naps for the past month.  Exasperating?  Yes.  Necessary?  Yes.  Fortunately I’ve learned that the only way through this is to give in and sleep through it and observe that so far, the world seems to be staggering along just fine without me.

2/24/11 Update:

At my regularly scheduled dentist appointment, the dentist said that he didn't think that any nerves to my mouth were actually cut, just stretched.  This could account for the fact that even though my right neck surgery was more extensive than the left, it was the left side of my mouth that sustained damage.  He said that the affected nerves would probably repair themselves, though it could take up to two years. 

I'll let you know what happens in a couple of years.