I hope the op goes well, Steff. I've just been reading up about it. (
https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/removal-parotid-gland ). You can tell everyone that it's a duelling scar that you've got ;-)
I'm feeling remarkably well, thank you. I've got my 9th chemo session coming up on Thursday, with the final one (I hope) three weeks later. The actual chemo sessions are an absolute doddle, just sitting in a comfy chair in a nice lounge, drinking the free coffee and reading a magazine. I've got used to the side effects afterwards by now, so they're not too bad either.