Contemplating 2nd Jaw Surgery

Viilik70,

I probably have more questions then answers for you, but here goes. How old are you and how long do you think you may live? If you say 30 years, do you wish to continue chewing the way you do now?

I know what you mean about having to do this again, when I heard the words " You have cancer" for the 2nd time, it hit me harder then the 1st time. Different cancer, but one year after I thought I had been thru enough, I guessed wrong. Long story short, I had another operation, some reconstruction on my face, no jaw involved, but still, drain tubes etc. I was lucky as I caught it early like I did the Base of Tongue cancer I had the prior year. Yes, it is a rough road, no getting around that, only you can make the decision as to what hurt you can withstand. If the odds are very good that everything will align and you can chew your food without difficulty, then it may be worth it in the long run for you.

You will do what you think is right for you, at the right time for you, one way or the other.

My Best to You and Everyone Here

Viilik70 said:

2nd jaw surgery

I'm a 43 yr old dad of 4 Kids and I hope I live another 20 years, but I don't think that will be the case since my MO won't pull my port. I was just wanting to get to a somewhat normal life and that is why I pulled the feeding tube and the trach our. Just wanted to feel normal again and now I want to eat more than mush... Thank you for you'r reply and God bless!

 

john j

In some ways my situation is similar to yours.  I have been radiated twice, and went through  one of those long surgeries, complete with grafting to rebuild the floor of my mouth.  I'm now  a year and a half out from my last rads.  The combination of treatments may well have cured my cancer.  But fibrosis is proving to be quite a problem.  I don't eat solid food at all any more.  Some mush, as you say.  Most of my diet is ensure or other blended products.  To me, it is an inconvenience, not a source of real angst.  I can only speak for myself, not for anyone else.  But if someone told me another 14 hour surgery and the lengthy recovery would POSSIBLY allow me to eat more normally again, I would pass on the surgery and just go on with my otherwise good  life.  These surgeries are a big deal, and  the results are never guaranteed to solve the problems you raised in your post.  That's worth remembering.  Whatever you decide, I  wish you the best.

Pat

fishmanpa said:

Just an observation

Hi Viilik,

No one here can truly answer your question but we can offer an opinion. Surgery, whether it be minor or in this case major, is not pleasent. Having gone through three prior to treatment, they were rough for sure. However, I healed quickly compared to the side effects of treatment. For me personally, the worst part of all of this was having my eating compromised. I was very fortunate that I never lost my taste buds but it was a couple of months before I could eat solid food and my swallowing is still compromised to this day.

If I had to endure another few weeks of discomfort to enjoy food again, I would do it in a second! It's just an added bonus that it would straighten out your jaw from a cosmetic aspect.  

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

PS.. you pulled you PEG and trach out on your own?  duuuude! If you could do that you could endure a little cut and slice

 

My initial surgery was in my lower jaw so I have been down the road of replacement with my fibula. Surgery was 19 hours then 4 days in a preplanned induced coma, 2 weeks ICU. It wasn't near as hard on me as my family. I really only recall the last 2 days. My leg wound had to be dressed daily. I went from walker to cane and no issues at all now. The 1st 9 months, I felt like I had a bag of nickels hanging on my jaw. That has gone away. All said and done, my jaw did not line up perfectly even though I kept my hinges. I encourage you to look into the option of dental implants or a very good set of dentures by a specialist as an alternative before selecting surgery. I only had a trach while I was in the hospital. Today, I eat normal food and swallow perfectly. I can't open my mouth as wide as I used to so small bites. Sandwiches cut with knife & fork. Good luck with your decision. 

Viilik70 said:

Bad Ambien!

When I first started taking Ambien to sleep I ha my feeding tube in and one night I went to bed and had a dream I went to the bathroom and cut my feeding tube off and in the morning I woke up to a very wet and nasty smelling bed because I'd actually cut the feeding tube off in the middle of the night! Walked to the bathroom and lopped it off and went back to bed! Yeah kind of scared the crap out of me when I woke up and really embarrassing to explain to the Dr who had to replace it : )'k

I use Restoril (Temazepam) on nights where I really struggle to get to sleep. Works fast and no hangover. Then again, if it gives me amnesia then who knows what I am doing at night. lol