I am not an animal!!!!

Well last week I had the crud...coughing, sneezing, wheezing, farting (while coughing)...you name it...I had it. So Friday morning I wake up again feeling like a wad o' hell and I come to work and my co-worker looks at me and says "Oh dear God Wanette what's wrong with your face"?? I being the ever clueless individual say "uuuuuhhh I dunno ...ugly? I can't help that...I was born that way" She grabs me and takes me into the bathroom and says "look"...well the left side of my face from about the jawline back looks literally like I have swallowed a softball and the right side at this point is starting the swell as well. I work in an othropedic office but they still have B/P cuffs, thermometers etc. so they take me downstairs and I am running a fever of 102.6 and my B/P was 210/128...they wanted to take me to the hospital but I got in at an emergency clininc in Maryville and found out my (and please don't quote me on the spelling or the correct name) parotid glands are infected. Basically I have a FORM of the Mumps....THE %&^$(# MUMPS!!!! Who the HELL gets the mumps at ($*%^#&$ THIRTY-NINE *&^^$%# years old???!!!!! The scary thing is that the doctor said that if it's viral (which the Mumps are) this should be hurting...but mine never hurt. I didn't even know my face was swollen and it happened very quickly...like from my getting out of the shower and looking at myself in the mirror to brush my teeth...to going to work...about an hour...tops! So he prescribes me a six day dose pack of Methylprednisolone (steroids) and 14 days of Biaxin (antibiotic) and some really groovy cough syrup that kicks my a$$ everytime I take it lol, and said if the swelling had not subsided by Monday (today) to contact them back...well, the swelling is still here and now a perfectly round knot on the LEFT side of my face has now developed right in that hinge that connects the top and bottom jaws along with the swelling around my jawline on both the left and right sides of my face. So my ever supportive and caring husband has been calling me "the elephant wife" all weekend. And I of course have to come off with the "I am not an animal" line everytime. Truthfully, he's worried and covers it up by joking..he's always done that... and to tell you the truth, I am a little concerned myself as there have been three cases of cancer in my family in the thyroid and mouth area, all started this exact same way where they were sick with a bronchial virus and suddenly their faces started swelling for no reason. Plus, I already had the mumps when I was about 8 years old. So if you guys could kinda throw a prayer or two up to the "big guy" I'd appreciate it! I'll keep ya'll informed as I know something

will do. take care of yourself!

Well I hope you feel better soon. ((HUGS)) Hey I know how you feel.... I had chicken poxs at 30 and I was in my first trimester with little Greg. Talk about awful.. I could not take anything for the itch. I remember I could not wait for Greg to come home so he could scratch my back for me. It was so bad that they almost put me in the hospital. So just be aware ... some of those childhood things you thought you can't get as an adult.....Well here is our sign... yep you can.... Take Care! Love and Hugs Julie

Oh wow, my dear!!! You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers...didn't you have something like this last year but it was with your tooth or something? I really hope that the swelling goes down and you start feeling better SOON....please do some resting and please keep us posted honey doll!!!!

Oh no, Sweetie. Take good care of yourself and I'll be throwing some good thoughts your way. Hugs, B

Prayers are coming your way Sweetie...please let me know as soon as you hear something. Love you sweeti Girl Barb

oh honey!! Of course you have my prayers and thoughts! And if you can talk on the phone, I'll call you later today!

awww Wanette... whats next huh??? I am sorry that you are having to go through this!! I too had the mumps when I was younger.... once on my left side and then a week later on my other side. I am with Ann on this (actually it was my first thought when you mentioned the swelling) in that you had the swelling with your tooth. I wish you lots of luck with this and a very speedy recovery!!!! Lots of love and prayers, Barb

You are in my thoughts and prayers.