My husband, John, had oral cancer in 2009 and was treated with in-hospital chemo and radiation. 7 full weeks in hospital with chemo 24-7 and radiation every day. It cured the cancer, but he developed osteoradionecrosis of the jaw because of the heavy radiation. Last August, he had to have a good part of his lower jaw replaced.
It was a very hard recovery, but he was getting lymphodema therapy to get rid of the swelling in his cheeks and physical therapy to his neck. Both were helping and he was feeling better--going to yoga 3 times a week. However, in the last several months, he developed sores on the right side of his jaw, an infection. He had several doses of antiobiotic, but as soon as he quits taking the antibiotic, the sores and oozing come back. His head and neck surgeon and his plastic surgeon feel that he has an infection in the titanium plate that was inserted during surgery since the infection is exactly along the suture line. Since John has been on several doses of antibiotic, they were thinking of putting him on IV antibiotics to knock out the infection. But, after considering it, our surgeon felt it was just putting off the inevitable and has recommended a second surgery to take out the titanium plate, clean everything out and stitch him up again.
The thought of a second surgery is daunting for both of us. I would really like to get a second opinion before he goes through with this. John has been treated at Northwestern in Chicago. Very happy with the surgeons. But I need the name of specialist to get a second opinion.
Is there anyone you can recommend that could give us some good advice?