Palm,

I too have had a similar surgery. My primary tumor was on my right side, in my molar area. It was a large tumor that destroyed my jaw and took up nearly the whole side of my face. I also had 3 lymph nodes that were cancerous.

My medical team needed to shrink the tumors before surgery so my radiation and chemo was before surgery. The surgery was done at UWMC in Seattle and was a 17 hour fun fest. Due to the size of the tumor there were complications, during the surgery my facial nerve was compromised, paralyzing the right side of my face.

My jaw was removed and replaced with my fibula and my inner cheek tissue was removed and my mouth was lined with tissue from my fibula area (fibular free flap). I had a ND removing 40 some odd nodes during this surgery.

Christine (my hero) is completely right in having your FIL eat whatever he wants as he can. A PEG tube may be inserted and be fed by that or if he can eat orally he may only be able to get down liquids. Have your FIL sign up to this sight so that he can get support from those of us that have walked down this path. It will be important for advice, support and just to vent.

Your FIL may only get 1 chance at beating this beast so be sure to get the best care available...Cancer Care Centers are a great option there. Good luck if I can be of any help I'd be happy to help, although ChristineB is my hero (among others on this forum) and I believe so valuable in the info department.

Good luck