Surgery with Doctor Lettieri

 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015

Surgery with Doctor Lettieri

 It's been challenging to blog about current events. I've signed a book deal. However, I am going to keep up my blog. Soon, it will have the logo from my book. I will also have a FB page for caregivers, survivors, or anyone wanting to know how to comfort a friend, family member, or loved one during and after cancer has been diagnosed.

I entered the Mayo Clinic Hospital early on December 2, 2015. The last surgery I had with Dr. Lettieri was successful. He took a nerve from my leg and masterfully entered behind my left ear through the left side of my face under my lip. We were told if the surgery was a success, we would feel it grow one inch per month. It has done just that, and now it is time to finish the job. This is a very tedious surgery; finding a viable nerve from the right side of my face will take a few hours.

When I woke up in recovery, it was a little scary for Eric--not sure if I was having a stroke or reaction to medicine--either way, I dry heaved for over 24 hours. Did you know dry heaving hurts?

After neurology was quickly called to the rescue, I had CT-PT-MRI and brain scans--no sign of stroke--however, since I was still in much pain and dry heaving, I was kept for longer than expected.
My surgeon, Dr. Lettieri, is in Italy...What the Heck? Do Doctors get vacations?

I needed to go to the Mayo Clinic since the surgery sight was bleeding. I was temporarily fixed but will see another Surgeon when Dr. Lettieri returns. (Monday) Nothing was wrong with the surgeon I could see, but my ultimate choice is Dr. Lettieri--FOREVER- I made the mistake of going to Cleveland Clinic on a suggestion --HUGE MISTAKE -- I will never do that again.

While working on the nerve in my face, Dr. Lettieri had no choice but to try and work around my paraded gland. I know this gland and the damage that can happen if I don't get it fixed, but I am not seeing anyone else but Dr. Lettieri. The gland, for those of you who don't know, is the gland where your saliva generates. This gland was compromised, and my face has backed up blood, either running down my throat or out of my incision. We cannot keep it controlled with our own packing.

I'm looking forward to seeing Dr. Lettieri next week with more updates.