This is my first time here. I did a search but did not come up with any results so I thought I would just ask.

I have been diagnosed with parotid tumor. Very large but soft mass. Have had since I was in my teens but it was small and diagnosed as a calcium deposit. I never thought much about it until it started getting larger approx. 3 years ago. Went to ENT at that time. She recommended surgery. Problem is, I have no insurance and when I determined that the cost for the surgeons alone would be over $8k..well......I did not schedule the surgery. Have since found that approx cost of surgery and hospital stay would be well over 20K. I will be starting a new job in the next couple of months that will offer full benefits, so I am hoping I can hold off until then. Anyway, in the last week it has gotten painful and red. Could this be an infection?

Thanks!