Salivary Gland Swelling

Yesterday I felt a pain on my right cheek. I though I had a toothache. That day I was scheduled to see my surgeon who performed modified neck surgery due to my papillary thyroid carcinoma. He noticed my swelling right away and said that I have an inflammation and possible infection on the salivary gland. He mentioned that was a side effect from my radioactive iodine (back in December 2010!) and dehydration.

What a surprise! I thought the swelling salivary gland could happen during the treatment or right after that, but I have it six months after the treatment. The pain is not bad but it get worse in the evening. My stamina also dropped due to the infection. The dryness in my mouth is horrible.

My doctor told me to have a warm small towel/cloth around my gland two or three time a day and get some sour or lemon candy. He put me on antibiotics for two weeks and hopefully the swelling along with the inflammation and infection will go away quickly.

BALI - Things to do

Having been to Bali for more than ten times, I feel I could share some of the things I love to do there. The list is not in a specific order, there are some which I do not do unless I am there with first time visistors.. There is one thing that I always do when I go to Bali which is shopping. I think shopping in Bali is heaven because the prices are good and they always have something new or unique every time I go there. Many will also be avaliable in other parts of the world but the prices are different and the selection is limited. I always tell friends to pack lightly becasue you will be tempted to shop a lot here.

1. Tanah Lot

2. Bedugul

3. Puri Besakih

4. Pertenin Spa
I have tried their body massage and facial package which is Rupiah 180,000 or less than 25 dollar. A lot of people who do not get regular massage or facial always get them in Bali because they are inexpensive. I am getting regular massages and facials and still think of their service at Pertenin is really exceptional. The staff is wonderful, the strokes are perfect and they use good quality of products. If you stay within Ubud area, they do pick up for minimum two persons.

http://www.pertenin.com/

5. Pasar Sukowati/Ubud
Both markets are close to each other, approximately ten minutes drive frome ach other. Sukowati or Sukawati is a huge market and is laways busy with locals and tourists. Most bus tourists will stop at Sukowati so it could be really crowded. The best time to go there is early morning.

The other market, Pasar Ubud, is my favorite because it is a bit smaller and less crowded than Sukowati. I usually stay in Monkey Forest Road in Ubud area so it is convenient to walk there. The market is across from the Ubud Palace and there are good restaurants close by such as Nomad, Bumbu Bali and Ibu Oka.

6. Seminyak shops
The shops at Seminyak are classy and could be pricey compared to the others in Kuta, Sanur and Ubud. They are really nice and unique and sometimes you could find good deals because many of them have small boxes or one rack on sale. If you prefer nice designs and good quality, this is the place for you. Sometimes I enjoy browsing the stores and enjoy their unique and beautiful displays. Many of the items are designed using local items.

7. Dirty Duck/Bebek Bengil
I used to live in Jakarta and we have a Dirty Duck restaurant there. While theirs is really good, the Dirty Duck in Bali is the original and the atmosphere of the restaurant is so special. Always ask for a lesehan or lounge. If you are lucky, you may enjoy your dinner with some natural sounds of the frogs from the ponds there. The only things that bother me is the light. Its is pretty dark in the evening so ideally you may want to come fro lunch or in the afternoon. Despite the dark lighting, I always end up going for dinner. They have been around fro years and they keep the quality up to the bar. Best food in Bali! The Russian pie is also a must to try!

8. Kudeta
Kudeta is a really nice lounge bar with an expensive restaurant. Expect to pay about 1 million Rupiah or 125 dollar for two persons. What I like to do is go there and enjoy sunset at their lounges facing the ocean. Their drinks and snacks are pretty reasonable. Kudeta is in Seminyak but it is pretty close to Kuta, Tuban, Legian and Sanur.
9. Rock Bar at Ayana Resort

10. Milano
Milano salon at Monkey forest Road, Ubud is a good palce if you need a simple hair creambath, manicure and pedicure. The prices are very reasonable and the staff are trained. You can not expect a high end spa service here but I ahve compared them to other more xpensive spas in Ubud and theirs are not bad at all. Manicure and pedicure is about 55,000 Rupiah or 7 dollar.
11. Kopi Pot
It is so nice to sit at Kopi Pot and to watch the world goes by at Jalan Legian, Kuta. Jalan Legian traffic is really bad so if you can avoid driving, that's a better chocie. However walking there is really nice, you could stop at the shops, cafes or even look up the the memorial fountain and memory wall for the bombing victims from 2003. So whenever I walk there I always enjoy having a cup of coffee and some Indonesian snack such the fried banana at Kopi Pot. The interior is Balinese and down to earth. It is so homy, you will feel like sitting at a friend's porch or backyard.


12. Cooking class at Bumbu Bali

13. Uluwatu and Jimbaran

Both of these places are close to each other and its worth going in one trip. A lot of people are reluctant to go to Uluwatu because of their monkey attitude. If you want to go it is better to take off sunglasses, hat and small purses. The coast is so beautiful and picturesque and the Kecak performance there is just awesome! Close to Uluwatu is Jimbaran where you do not want to miss haveing dinner at one of the beach side restaurants. The restaurants are sandy and casual but the food is fantastic. You get to pick up all the fishes from the tank and they will cook you with different sauces. The kangkung or water spinach is usually included in the menu. The last time we were there, we paid 200,000 Rupiah or less than 25 dollar for grilled prawns, fried calamari, grilled basa and coconut drinks.

NEW YEAR 2011

Its new year and I am so excited. Not because we had the most fabulous new year's eve party but because I  have been given the opportunity to enjoy life. Praise the Lord!

It has been two and half weeks after my radiation treatment. My thyroid cancer was the most common thyroid cancer with follicular variant. I guess it was because it metastasised to my lymph nodes.

Two days prior to my radiation I was given my thyrogen shots. This is relatively a new treatment and still debatable. I felt lucky that my endo prescribed this to me so I did not have to be off my synthroid medication at all. Not even  a day!

The nurse told my husband to treat me to Dairy Queen for pain and suffering. Anyway the shots were not bad at all. I was sleepy all the time but that was okay.

On the day my radiation was scheduled we had to wait for more than one hour. They had to do the pregnancy test to make sure I was not pregnant. I was given three (not one or two) pills and they all repeatedly told me that I was given a high dose of 175. They said most thyroid cancer patients got 30 to 75 mcI dose., I had to stay away from other human being for the next five days.

Day 1 went well. However day 2 and day 3 was crazy. It was painful and scary. I could not slept and could not ate any solid food. I was so weak though I consumed a lot of juices.

Thankfully day 4 was better and things really got better afterwards.

I was made aware that I could have other side effects such as early menopause. Thanks to God I had my normal period. My stamina which has changed after my surgery  has not changed a lot. They said I could expect to see changes after three weeks of radiation so I am excited. I would love to see my stamina getting better. Anyway I am not complaining and have committed to enjoy the new year with new point of view. Life is beautiful and everyday must be enjoyed to the fullest!