[OrrieG]

has anyone dealt with this. He is done with the surgery and ready to start radiology. But doc says they need to pull all the teeth he has left (17) because after the radiation treatments the jawbone has no resistance to infection and even a simple tooth/gum infection or extraction becomes a very big deal. I did some research on line and it looks like that may be true, but on some sites they say proper dental preparation and hygene, etc with aggressive floride treatments daily will help.

Up to now his attitude has been pretty good for the situation but this latest news has him questioning if its worth it to go through with the radiology. That will involve a lot of pain, potential hospital stay if his jaw and saliva glands quit working, mouth sores, etc. that will prevent eating and require IV nourishment.

I know you guys will be supportive, I'm just looking for more info so I can hopefully help him make the right decision. At this time he is just spending a lot of time 4 wheeling in the desert and shooting things, not a good sign.

 

[BillK]

Patrick,
A very good friend of ours went through it a few years ago and is doing fine now. It would not hurt to get a second opinion on it though.

 

[Cameano]

My BIL has a replacement jaw. They took a donor jaw that was almost the same appearance, and replaced the whole thing. He does look a bit difference now from before, but he's all good. It is an option.

 

[OrrieG]

UPDATE - He has come to terms with the dental work, the family has rallyed to help with the finances and he is starting back down the road to recovery next week. I told him I didn't think the docs would put him through all the trouble, pain, etc. if they didn't think he had a good chance for full recovery on the other end. Took him a couple of weeks to work through it, but today he was talking like his old self and wanting to get it over so he can get back to work. Give Mike your prayers...

 

[Cameano]

Good deal, Patrick. :thumbsup:

 

[72SSAbody]

Good to hear he's on the right track mentally to getting back on the road to recovery.

Joe

 

[no1dc]

Will definately keep Mike in our prayers. Pete

 

[Phil502]

Patrick, Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I have been a Medical Dosimetrist for over 10 years (this means I work in the medical physics dept within the radiation therapy department, I do the pretreatment planning for all kinds of cancers) the Oncologists have teeth pulled on people with mouth/head/neck cancers all the time, it is not unusual. If I can be of service to you by ansewering questions that I may know or that our Oncologist's may know feel free to email me.

 

[Merlin]

Patrick,
I have not dealt with cancer of the jaw in particular, but I have dealt with many of the issues your brother-in-law now faces... I am a two-time cancer survivor. Both occurences were head and neck cancers. The first was ten years ago... throat cancer. The second was diagnosed just 12 months ago... base of tongue cancer. I have survived a 7-week regime of intense, twice a day radiation, and several major surgeries. The most significant results were loss of salivary production, loss of speech, and inability to eat. I have suffered through having to use a g-tube to eat, a chronic sore throat, dental issues I never had to face before, loss of full mobility in both arms, and some pretty nasty disfiguration. But, and I do not mean for this to sound cliche, I am here! Through devine intervention and the love and support from friends and family, and perhaps a bit of personal stubborness, I have survived two bouts with a disease that a few Doctors said would kill me. And now, still on the mend, and dealing with stuff daily that most people never think about, I say it was and is all worth it. My speech will never be the same and my ability to eat like most people is non-existant... but on the bright side, I don't have to answer the phone anymore (never did enjoy talking on the phone) and my weight is down 75 pounds (right where it should be). I have a beautiful wife and 3 great kids and everything to look forward to. I even managed to build my Chevelle in there too!
The radiation therapy is most certainly, horrific in every way. Some of the effects will wear off with time. For now, be supportive of your brother-in-law, and remind him often that he too can whip this thing. I recall someting a co-worker said to me before I started radiation... a thought I concentrated on every single day as I lay bolted down to the table in that lead shielded room with humming machines moving around my head. She said...
"This thing inside you... it's not for you and it does not belong with you. Get rid of it!!"
I believe it helped, at least with the positive attitude aspect.
I will add your brother-in-law and the rest of your family to my list of good folks to remember in my prayers. Good luck to you and yours...

Patrick, aka Merlin.

 

[Merlin]

Patrick,
Forgot to mention this...
When faced with the realization that radiation would interfere with healing, specifically with regard to teeth and gums, it was sugggested that I consider Hyper-Baric Oxygen treatment prior to surgery. The procedure was ten treatments before surgery and ten treatments after, where they seal you up in a hyper-baric chamber (very similar to what a bent diver is placed in) and then pressurize the oxygen rich environment to 1-1.5 G's, the equivalent of a 30 to 50 foot dive. The idea is to enrich the body's blood supply with higher than usual levels of healing oxygen. The pressure actually forces the oxygen into the blood system through the lungs. The ordeal is painless and takes 1 to 1.5 hours per session. Clostrophobia could be an issue for some. As a scuba diver, I was an easy sell. The oral surgery I had, healed up fine with no problems at all. Hope this helps...

Patricck

 

[hmott]

Give Mike your prayers...

Done

 

[OrrieG]

Thanks guys, I'm going to send him a care package with the support comments. Phil502 I did the research online and found what you stated on three different head and neck oncology sites and passed that on to him. Merlin I read about the Hyper Beric treatments for afterward, and the doc mentioned them too, but not for before. It would make sense. He's a fighter and this is literally the first time in his life I have heard him say he was scared of anything (Texas cowboy thing...). It's going to be tough but the family is supporting him and he will come out ok.