So Michael saw the second oral surgeon today, the one in Mobile, AL who the oncologist referred him to. He saw one in Ocean Springs, MS last week who his regular dentist referred him to. Anyway they both agreed his jaw bone is deteriorating and he will need two or probably three teeth extracted. The Ocean Springs one thought that since the teeth aren't currently bothering him and don't currently appear infected he should wait to have it done and told him that he wouldn't be a candidate for dentures after it. The Mobile one thought he needs to do it soon since if they do get infected it could be much worse (osteonecrosis), potentially fatal for him. The Mobile oral surgeon also did not think dentures should be a problem for him (he doesn't want to give up steak)

The oncologist thinks he should wait until the next CT/PET scan in Nov and then get the exactions done before the end of the year. He has to have a "clean scan" before hyperbaric treatments. The oral surgeons in Mobile and the oncologist all thought his mouth and neck swelling and the dental issue are two different things. The oncologist thinks he probably sprained his neck, maybe tore some of the scar tissue from the radiation and is inflamed. So he is now on Motrin for 5 weeks to see if it will help the inflammation. If it doesn't he will send him to an orthopedic surgeon to be evaluated for possible rotator cuff injury.

Since he will need 20 hyperbaric chamber treatments prior to the extractions and 10 after it (which our insurance may or may not pay for and they are supposedly $1,000. each - is that a normal cost and do insurances usually cover it???) and since the CT/PET scan has to be done prior to the dental stuff and that is currently supposed to be Nov. 17, this should put all the fun dental stuff and hyperbaric stuff right in the middle of the holidays. But as long as the scans are good, the dental stuff heals and hopefully he can still eat what he wants it is doable.

So the long oral surgeon appointment today, seeing the oncologist after the oral surgeon and then taking my car in to get it fixed from it's work related injury about killed the day. We are both pooped!!