You are so kind, and I might mention awfully brave. I am scared silly of getting a tooth pulled after all I have done. But when your jaw isn't hooked onto anything, it is so terribly scary. I don't think my dentists understand that my jaw is missing!!!HAHA
It is odd if you think of it.
THanks so much for your kind words. Only people on here understand it seems.
Debbie

Absolutely nothing odd on here Debbie---we worry about EVERYTHING!
I have had my stitches out and all oaky, but still have huge purple lump which may well turn to 'fungumating skin toumour' from all I've read. So I think Wednesday's results are a foregone conclunsion. So yup, I understand all worries/future procedures etc--I was a wreck before I had my biopsy stitches out--what a wuss!
Told you girl, remeber we HAVE CANCER and it sure alters your everyday take on things--and I'm sure, you may well even be right about your dentist!--But probably not--let's cross one bridge at a time--just a shame when more than one bridge appears on the horizon, doesn't it?
Aw---we'll get there--and we're allowed to moan sometimes--but we keep going, remeber???
Take care of yourself love,
Brenda x

Colleen,
I had the very surgery you are describing at the Mayo Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona in January 2003. The next day after surgery a physical therepist come to my roon and got me up to start wrlking. The fibula was taken from my left leg. I was told to step carefully as though I was walking on a soda cracker and didn't want to break it. After three days of approximately 15 minutes per day I was told I was ok to talk normally. My leg never did hurt. I have no problems with my leg what so ever. I ride horses every day and have experienced no problems. The only thing is I have a slight numbness on a small portion on the top of my foot. I walk fine, no weakness, and to mount a horse with a saddle I mount using my left leg and put my entire weight on the left leg while mounting. I was 60 years old at the time of my surgery. I was hospitalized for twenty days. I would do it again if it was necessary. IT wasn't bad at all. If I were in your shoes I wouldn't hesitate. Best of Luck You won't be sorry

Dear Hacklene,

Thanks soooo much for writing!

Did you have your surgery at the time of your cancer surgery? With a stay of 20 days in the hospital, I presume that is the case. Was the fibula taken from the same side as the surgery on your jaw? (the left?) Do you think it matters? (I have a knee problem on the surgery-side, and would want to use the other leg.)

Malka might have even more questions for you, since she is considering a lower jaw reconstruction, using the fibula.

My reconstruction would be the maxilla....the upper jaw.....along with a portion of the hard palate. The leg surgery would be the same, though I don't know how much tissue is removed from the leg for the mandibular repair. Skin and other tissue is taken along with the bone for the maxillary/palatal repair.

Does the numb area on your foot bother you? itch? tingle? distract you?

Has anyone with these repairs experienced problems with their ear as a result of the surgery? I was told that I might need a PE tube in that ear, since the eustachean tube might not function properly after the surgery. I did have that problem after my original surgery, and it has resolved, thankfully.

I am relieved to hear from someone who didn't have a problem with this surgery, though I do also appreciate hearing from those who did not have such good fortune with it.

Thanks! This is helping quite a bit!

Bren,
So glad you had your stiches out. I was waiting to her about you. I wish like Jim somehow we could magically see each other just once. Do they have a make a wish for older people?HAHA I am sure not. Wouldnt' that be a kick just once!!!! What a happy time. You are so brave, and I will think of you so much every day. I wish I could make us all better for a day.
Please keep me posted , the 30th is so close now Bren.
Debbie

Hi Colleen,
I am so glad that you found my experiences helpful. In answer to your new questions. Yes, I had cancer and reconstruction surgery at the same time. My entire lower jaw was replaced. With that in mind I don't think which fibula was used was important. The numb area on the top of my foot is very small and only noticeable when I touch the rest of the top of my foot. It just feels different than the rest of the top of my foot. On an everyday basis I don't even know it is there. Hopefully, this answers your questions. Should you or anyone else have any more questions please ask. I don't mind sharing. I think the hardest part of my cancer and surgery experience was the fear of the unknown. I didn't find this site until I was undergoing radiation. Anyway------

Best of Luck,

Thanks, Hacklene,

...one more: Do you have any trouble with your ear? My surgeon mentioned the possibility of needing to have a PE tube afterward because the eustachean tube might not function correctly. Perhaps because my surgery would be on the upper jaw instead of the lower, that was not an issue with you.

Colleen,
I had no problem with my ears. However, I had a lower jaw replacement. Not an upper jaw. Best of Luck. Keep us posted on what you decide. I wouldn't hesitate.

Hacklene

Hacklene.....I just realized that you said that you had your "entire lower jaw replaced." Wow! do you mean your ENTIRE lower jaw? all around? I can't imagine! It makes what I am considering sound simple. I have lost "only" five teeth on the right side, with the bone, and some of the adjacent hard palate. i have all four of my own incisors.

Did you have a trache? I'll bet you did, with all of that jaw surgery!! I guess you didn't have a neck dissection along with your jaw replacement. That would really be tootoo much!

You sound wonderful....so positive, and healthy. I am happy for you. I enjoy hearing from you. Keep adding things that you think of. thanks.

Colleen,
Yes I had my entire lower jaw replaced. But don't fret I am just fine. I have past the five year mark. I've changed my eating habit due to necessity. It is amazing how a person can adapt to a new situation when there isn't any choice. I am very healthy, have regained all the lost weight, and am strong. I don't have a PEG and all is well. So if I can do it so can you!