Monday, June 30, 2008

The leak....

The left side of my cheek, at the incision site has been leaking.
I saw Dr. Mehta 2 weeks ago, and he told me it was normal and part of healing,
and that it would heal..
Well it hasn't stopped. It leaks more now than it did 2 weeks ago.
It really leaks when I eat. I tape a 2"x 2" gauze bandage over the area before I eat,
within 30 minutes, that bandage is saturated. Obviously, something is wrong,
Dr. Mehta's words:

"I now strongly suspect that the drainage is a saliva leak. If it was related to routine wound drainage, it should have resolved by now. There is a salivary gland duct that runs close to that area and it appears to be leaking unfortunately. I am glad to hear that you have no fevers. However, I would like to see you to start some treatment to decrease the drainage. There is a medication I would like to prescribe to decrease salivary flow and also to put on a pressure dressing on that site. These conservative measures often allow the leak to heal. The next steps beyond that would be injection of Botox into the left parotid gland and beyond that would be a minor surgical exploration of the wound - hopefully we don't have to get to either of those (esp as they require insurance approval). Can you come in to see me this week?"

So. tmw I am off to see him. I knew something was wrong ;-(
Oh well, no worries,
I have all the faith in the world that he will fix it.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck, KC. I'm thinking of you!

Anonymous said...

Good luck, KC. I'm thinking of you!

Anonymous said...

I do not understand what you mean by leaking. What is it leaking? Are you drooling or is it fluid or blood from the procedure?

Beck

Anonymous said...

KC this is just a bump in the road girl I know everything will be ok! Glad you were so vigilant and able to catch the problem so the doc can fix it!

Anonymous said...

Best wishes, KC Things could be worse. This is just another bump in the road.

Hug!

Anonymous said...

Lots of love and luck to you my beautiful(inside and out) friend.

Big hugs and God bless!
bern

Unknown said...

It sounds treatable. I honestly like how this doctor explains things to you and gives you options. I have faith that all will be well. This is just another bridge to jump on your Harley :)
WOOF!

Anonymous said...

Big Big Cyber Hugs Girl ~ You are a Trooper Girl~

Thinking of you hun~
Paula

Anonymous said...

aww KC,
No worries, babe! Dr. Mehta will get it. He sounds like a hell of a doc!
Keep on truckin',
Yb