Candace’s Story

Site created on December 13, 2015

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After a Warthin's tumor removal from my parotid gland in my right cheek back in November 2010, I started feeling a dull pain in my lower face and jaw that didn't go away. The journey began to figure out what was causing the increasingly painful condition. I went to countless doctors (ENT, pain docs, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and a few others) who gave me medicine after medicine but wouldn't give me a straight diagnosis or plan of action to get better.The medicines had difficult side effects that made it difficult to maintain my normal day to day life and did not help the pain. I also tried holistic and alternative therapies to find relief, such as dietary changes, vitamins, and acupuncture. I've had quite a few diagnoses but they all are different ways of saying I have trigeminal neuralgia neuropthic facial pain. It was most likely caused by damage from my tumor removal surgery. I am in a constant state of pain depending. The constant pain  s characterized by a constant aching, burning, stabbing pain in my right jaw/cheek area. The intensity of pain can be physically and mentally incapacitating. I also have some episodes of extreme, sporadic, sudden burning or shock-like facial pain, and deep stabs in my ears (both) and feeling of something crawling on my face. I've been through so many medicines, nerve blocks, a neurostimulator that has since been removed. I've been to a lot of KC docs as well as to Mayo (who didn't help me). I had a right side microvascular decompression in California at UCI Med Center by Dr. Mark Linskey. It was helpful and I was able to return to work full-time and go to soccer games again!

Pain started getting increasingly worse on my left side. Bilateral pain is rare and I didn't expect it to be an issue. However, three years later I had another MVD on my left side by the same doc. It has been holding up well on the left side. Early 2023 I started having increasingly bad flares again on my right side. After trying to manage with medication unsuccessfully, I was sent for an MRI and then had an appt with my neurosurgeon. Here we are now ready to embark on my third MVD in October 2023. I know I can't be "fixed" but I'm putting every effort I can to help myself. Either way, I have to live my life as fully as I can, while also managing my chronic pain.

Newest Update

Back to work!

Journal entry by Candace Walkup —


I survived my first week back to work and the start of my second.  My dizziness caused a little bit of issue but I will get there. I’m thankful to work with such wonderful people who remind me to slow down and give myself grace in this healing process. 

Biggest news is that I still have NO pain in my face. So excited about that! Not a lot more to report. I know the healing process takes time (specifically 18 months). I have a follow-up in CA with my surgeon in July. I’m hoping there won’t be anything to report and my dizziness has completely subsided by then.

Twelvish days until Meg and Tanner are home for Christmas! She continues to fight through the extreme nausea even as she moves through the second trimester. I cannot wait to give her a big hug and touch her cute belly! Next Christmas will be so special with a new little one!

Prayers still needed for me, of course. Please also pray for Meg and Tanner’s safe travels, and pray for my neighbor as they are going through an extremely difficult time. ❤️ Thank you!


Read More of the journal titled "Back to work! "
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