I am new to this forum and to using things like this. My daughter found it for me so I thought I would give it a shot.

In November '05 I had a lower left jaw removal due to a sarcoma. After the surgery I underwent radiation treatments for 6 wks. Once they felt I could handle it they began some reconstruction of my teeth (implants, the whole deal) My implants have been complicated and painful due to the effects the radiation had on my mouth. It has been a very long road to recovery, and have had many set backs along the way. But I keep at it...

Friday they discovered another tumor on the opposite side of my jaw from the original one. Back already? What to do? I am scared, and worried about the thought of going through surgery again. Right now, I am looking for anyone who has had a similar situation, or anyone who can offer words of support.

Thank you, in advance....

In Rochester at the Mayo Clinic. Hope to hear from some of you soon......

Huntsky: So sorry to hear of your reoccurance..husband just had right mandible removal/reconstruction on July 19 and is to begin IMRT soon. I can only say that you will be in our thoughts and prayers as you continue your fight. Keep us updated as to your progress. I'm sure there are many here who will offer their opinions and experiences which will be helpful to you along the way. You've certainly started in the right place by coming to OCF!
Give us more facts...what is your age, what stage were you when previously diagnosed...

Huntsky,

I can only offer words of support as you have already gone through so much and it has to be upsetting and frightening to find another tumor. It also seems so "unfair." Once you get more information it may not end up being the same situation that you have dealt with before. I don't have any info to offer about cancer in the jaw as my husband is just now going through treatment and his cancer is in his tonsils and adjacent area. You sound like a very determined and brave person who has gotten through treatment successfully before and that is so important in managing future events. My sister had a brain tumor as a child and then another tumor years later that was caused by the prior radiation. She has gotten through that (felt like a very unfair situation given what she had already gone through but she did it).

Please let us know when you have more information and my thoughts are with you.

Sophie

Thank you for your prompt replies. I updated my profile a bit and gave a bit more information. My stats read like this:

Male
62
Carcinoma of the lower left mandible
40-50% removal of mandible
Reconstruction with bone from leg
6 wks IMRT
attempt at dental reconstruction, difficulty due to radiation.

They found a new tumor on Friday that I am waiting for test results on. It sounds like a pretty similar deal, jaw bone, some small tissue, but the biopsy isn't until tomorrow...I know, wait to worry, but how do you really do that?

Right now I am very relieved to find this forum, and all of these people. Thank you all for reading and responding.

This road seems long, I just have to get back on the horse...

Hi, Fred, get your spurs sharpened and go! Glad to hear you are at Mayo and glad you found this site also. There is lots of good support here. Good wishes to you. Amy in the Ozarks

Fred....Take a deep breath, and stay close by. The folks on this forum will stand by you all the way through whatever dark tunnel you may be facing, until you come out the other side. I sure do hope you don't have to do this surgery again, but if you do, you will enter it knowing more, and maybe you can avoid some of the difficulties of the first one.

Please keep us posted. You will know more very soon, and then you can make a plan of action. We'll be ready to help!

Fred: I'm anxious to hear from you....Let us know as soon as you have your results....