Pain management stories: What can I expect (salivary gland cancer)?

15 years ago I was diagnosed with Parotid cancer. I had a bump just below my cheek bone that was tender and growing. I thought it was because of a minor injury that I had several months prior. After a needle aspiration biopsy, I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. I went through the CT, MRI and PET scans. I really had little pain. I underwent surgery at Johns Hopkins about 3 weeks later. I had removal of the left Parotid gland and neck dissection. The margins were clean and no spreading of the cancer into my lymph nodes. It was poorly differentiated cancer cells, which was not good. But I survived to tell the tale. The greatest issues I have experienced were during and after Proton radiation which continue to this day. I refused chemo.
I am sorry you are dealing with a lot of pain. I can only suggest insuring you have timely testing and surgery, if indicated, to alleviate these problems before they get even worse. Time is your enemy. Cancer does not wait for a convenient appointment for surgery. It grows daily. I was diagnosed at the end of November, and the surgeon wanted to wait until after the new year. I told him he had the luxury of time, I did not. I told him if he would not operate in December, I would find a surgeon who would. He did my surgery. You are your best advocate. Settle for no less than what you need for the best outcome. Wish you the best.

Hi @misusocks1 Welcome to the Head and Neck cancer group here on Connect. This is a fine Happy Holidays you are dealing with. I hope someone here has recommendations for you. Aside from that, your primary or oncologist should be able to help control your pain levels. On the other hand, working while on pain meds poses limitations as to what can be done safely and legally. I think we could start with the type of pain you experiencing. For oral surface pain there are rinses which work well. For the deep tissue pain from cancer, that is another matter. I know the ear pain can push a person to their limits. Hopefully you get this all addressed quickly.
It has come the time to be your own best advocate for your health care. You likely have to shift priorities in your personal life, finances, and perhaps family, friends, and public services for help. Family Medical Leave or FMLA is by law to preserve your work station while you get health care. I guess it all comes down to the fact that you need to address your health because at this point, nothing else really matters if you don't.
As for now, let's see if someone has some ideas about pain from their own experiences. I had tonsil cancer so my experience was a bit different. Although, ear pain was part of the process and I just pushed though it the best I could. I wish I could take away what you are going through.