So when we get back from our trip, I have to go in and see my ENT (Ears Nose & Throat) about this lump that just keeps getting bigger.  Last year it was about the size of a pea and when I asked my ENT he thought it was a lymph node.  But it hasn't gone down in size, it has only gotten bigger.  It goes under my ear a ways too. 

The cysts in my neck have all been formed by my saliva glands, but I don't have the saliva gland on my right side that could create this.  That is why my doc thinks it is a lymph node.  But it has grown so much that I find it uncomfortable all the time now. 

Sometimes it makes my TMJ worse too.  So I need to have something done with this. 


Now the lump that is on my left side is a cyst made from my saliva gland, as I still have half a saliva gland on this side.  The trouble is, I have more than one in there on this side, and I've already had 2 surgeries on this side.  So scar tissue is an issue and my ENT says there is no point in taking it out without taking them all out, but my 7th nerve runs between 2 of them and even the best surgeon will have to affect the nerve when they remove the lower one (which is much bigger than this upper one I am holding). The 7th nerve is what controls all facial movement.  What has the docs concerned is, when the never is touched my face will be paralyzed but they have no idea if it will be paralyzed permanently or temporarily.  So I agreed it can stay there.  But when the upper one gets so big that it is uncomfortable, I have had the doc just take a needle and drain the cyst some.  

I don't know if the lymph node can be drained or not.  One thing I have learned is, when it is drained, I know what the fluid removed looks like, and so far it has all been good, nothing to worry about.  But I also know if what is drained doesn't look like the fluid from each time before, there may be a more serious problem.  I thought about going in before we leave, but sometimes I have a lot of discomfort after my lumps have been drained, and I just don't know if I want to have that before or after.  I still might go in before, I just have to think about it.

Oh, I gave myself a hair cut too.  I also gave EO and Steph hair cuts.  Well, I made Steph straighten her hair cause it is just so stinking hard to cut with her tight curls.  It is hard to be sure it is even.  So Steph got Lauren to straighten it and then Steph cut it to the length she wanted and then I cut long layers in it.  I told her when I layer mine I have to leave the layers longer otherwise the curls just all sit on top of my head.  I told her with her tight curls, her layers should be even longer.  So it has some layers in it. but we don't know what it looks like curly.  She is kind of afraid to wash it, plus she loves it so much straight, so she says I have to straighten it every day. I told her she can do it herself, but she says she can't.  I told her with practice you learn how.  so we will see.  Maybe once she sees it curly she will love it too.  We will see.