It's 2 yrs. beyond treatment and my husband is still fighting infection in the jawbone; caused by beginning radiation too soon after tooth extraction--not enough time to heal. Result has been a place in the jaw which continues to be infected even after WEEKS of CIPRO and careful tending to the spot. Doctors have even considered replacing his jawbone with bone (& artery)from his leg along with titanium plate, etc. which would be painful, disfiguring, and debilitating for MONTHS. Has already done hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Has anyone gone this long with infection but yet the problem was eventually healed? We REALLY don't want to have to do that surgery!

Hi Mawalton,
After radiation treatment, I developed an infection in my jaw that went undiagnosed for about 6 months and took another 3 months to heal with significant amounts of antibiotics (pencillin). Fortunately, it never returned.

I'm wondering if you should get a second opinion and see what alternative antibiotics might be tried and whether there are other alternatives to major surgery. Is your husband being treated at a comprehensive cancer center? If not, you might want to find one nearest to you and get a second opinion there. Best, Sheldon

Hi MaWalton,

I have had the surgery they are proposing for your husband and someone has really given you the wrong information about this surgery. It's certainly no walk in the park, but it is far from what you described. It's not disfiguring for one thing. Second, the pain from the surgery is minimal and managed easily with proper medications. Three, it is NOT debilitating for months. Within two weeks of my surgery, I was eating what I wanted, talking just fine, and recovering nicely. I wouldn't wish the surgery on anyone, but please don't let the nightmarish things you've obviously heard keep you from considering it as treatment for your husband.