FAO Sqad

[237SJ]

Hello Sqad. I just wanted to ask you something. My mum is 80, (on Arimidex, Ramipril and Benzoflumetozine which I`ve probably spelt wrong) She had breast cancer and a masectomy on the left side 2.5 years ago. She had the lynmph nodes removed on that side. This morning she has woken up with the right side of her face swollen. A stroke went through my mind but she looks more swollen than drooped. Could it be facial lymphdema even though it`s the opposite side of her body? She can`t see a doctor until tonight and a gp is going to phone her but I need someone to look at it. I`m going to take her to a walk in centre because of the stroke possibility but I just wondered about your thoughts because i`m getting worried due to her past history. She says she feels alright.

[Sqad]

237SJ......it is almost certainly nothing to do with her breast cancer.

It could be mumps.

It is often difficult to pick out a stroke particularly if she has a fat face. Any weakness in her left arm?..Get her to hold it out, squeeze your fingers with both hands and see if the left clenched fist is weaker than the right.

Report back.

[237SJ]

Thanks Sqad. Even though I`m worried your remark about the fat face made me laugh. I`ve been telling her to lose weight for ages but she hasn`t got a fat face. I`ve had a look at her pupils and they look normal. I`ll do the arm/squeezing thing but I`m going to brave Kingston hospital now which is a nightmare at this time of the day.
I`ll report back

[Sqad]

Thanks......will be interested.

[237SJ]

Back again. A very interesting result. She didn`t know it but she has a raging ear infection and there could be some sinus involvement. The swelling was to do with that. Something along those lines did go through my mind as I had an ENT operation once and had fluid/swelling in the same area although mine was both sides.
She has amoxicillin 500mg so hopefully that`ll sort it.

[Sqad]

237SJ......mmmmm!

Glad it is nothing to do with a stroke or cancer.

Thanks for the update.

P.S Has she got dentures?

[237SJ]

No, she doesn`t have dentures.

[Sqad]

Do you want a bet?

It is a tooth abscess............;-)

[237SJ]

There`s no pain though... I thought of that as well. Or maybe some kind of cycst in a salivary gland. When I had the ENT thingy (grommets, sinus drain and deviated septum correction) I had fluid gathered around the jowels and I looked like a horse. Her`s is like that but on one side (the side of the ear infection) and it has reduced a little bit since this morning. I`m keeping my fingers crossed anyway that they`ve got it right. If nothing else her ear infection should be sorted. She`s going away in a couple of weeks and I don`t want her flying with an ear infection.

[Sqad]

Ah!.......no pain, so that rules out a dental abscess.......stone in the Parotid duct?

Keep me informed....I am interested.

[237SJ]

I will do. Thanks

[anneasquith]

237sj..so mum has an ear infection..poor thing i hope the antibiotics work quickly for her.

[237SJ]

Thank you ann