Hi everyone!
OK, I have a NEW problem that I'm wondering if any of you have had.
The Jaw on the side where I had radiotherapy in 2007 has swollen (and stings) twice in the past three weeks. My tongue also feels swollen, and when I get tired, I have a very slight speech thing happening.
I had an Ultrasound (showed nothing), an Xray (nothing) last week..and now today I had blood tests and a CAT scan.
I went to see my surgeon yesterday, but got the registrar (coz I had to wait for 90 mins to get in, and my guy had gone home. yeesh)
My Dr initially thought I might have had a stone in my partoid gland which was causing the problem.
Also, the first time it swelled up, the antibiotics "fixed" it within three days..BUT I copped oral thrush as a result of the antibiotics, so Ive been constantly sucking those fungilin lozenges, taking Nilstat capsules, using Daktarin etc..but the only thing that seems to slow it down [from feeling like I have a doona in my mouth, to a few cotton balls] is Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (one teaspoon in a glass of water...tastes pretty grim, but the thrush is worse)!
Anyway, the registrar was one of those very serious young dudes with NO personality or bedside manner, and he said he "thinks" it might be either Osteomylitis in the bone, or the cancer is back.
I have another appointment to see him next wednesday, (when the results of the cat scan and blood tests will be back)
At this stage, I dont think its either.
It isnt nearly as bad as some of the jaw problems some of you have had (yet). I can still eat, there's no cramping, I can open my mouth as wide as I've been able to since the op, I can still sing..etc..but I'm not mucking around with it just in case.
So I guess my questions are, has anyone had this happen so long after your op, and if so, what did you/your dr/surgeon do to fix/help it?
How long did it take to stop playing up..etc?
Im not feeling sick (ie I dont feel bad, I dont have a fever, Im not tired etc) it's just REALLY annoying and painful when it swells up. It appanrently 'feel's more swollen than it looks, as people dont seem to notice until I tell them that its swollen.
I know Im jumping the gun (as I havent had an actual confirmed diagnosis yet) but I just want to put it out there to see what you all think.
I may have mentioned that a tiny piece of bone came up through my gum a few months ago. It didnt really hurt, it just caused a little hole in my gum for a few weeks.
The cancer specialist at the dental hospital said that I could expect that to happen from time to time, but it was nothing to lose sleep over. It was just a side effect of the radio.
What Im thinking is, maybe some bacteria snuck in through that little hole, and now it's gotten into my jawbone? That being the case, I believe I will need massive doses of antibiotics, and the infected bone may need to be scraped to get rid of the dead bone. Has anyone had this/how is it done? (from inside or outside the jaw/how long does it take to heal..how bad is it?)
I had all the teeth removed on the bottom of the left side of my jaw when I had the tongue flap done in 07, so there's no worries about my teeth falling out.
Anyway, if anyone knows anymore than what I've been told so far, dont hesitate to reply. I've learnt from you, my friends on this forum, to not think the worst immediately, but at the same time, I know not to waste time getting help from the big guys.

By the way, if anyone is about to have a tongue flap done and is as terrified as I was before my op, DONT WORRY about not talking/eating ever again. Dont believe what you've been told by your surgeon, it wont be as bad as you think.
I am a professional singer.
I was told that not only would I not sing again, I would not be able to even speak properly ever again. WRONG!
I am STILL a professional singer, and if people dont know Ive had half my tongue cut off and replaced with a piece of my wrist, they'd never know by looking at me or talking to me. To give you even more confidence, you can hear me singing (a few weeks ago) on you-tube by typing in "Lyn Challands and Tony DiPastena - Georgia on my mind".
I am currently gigging (and singing, loudly) in a rock band.

Thinking positively (and laughter) is a huge part of surviving this thing.
Trust the good, good people on here, as they know what they are talking about.
Hope you're all fighting, healing, and on the way UP!!!
Good luck!
Looking forward to any responses...and thanks in advance.
Lyn

Hi there - it does sound to me like a wicked infection! I wish I could say more but the mouth is the dirtiest place in the human body - bacteria galore!!! It's very possible what you said happened happened - My dr told me you might notice a lisp when you're tired ! I had a 3rd of my tongue replaced. 9 mos ago I still have a tiny lisp because I'm still swollen a bit from rads (finished 7 months ago) I haven't gotten back to acting yet - (giving myself a year) but for the most part in am healed - not looking forward to the post rads fall out.
Re the thrush - try manuka - I started with a mild case of it - just post rads - manuka stopped it in its tracks!

Will check out the YouTube thing. Congrats on 4 years and congrats on your career!