Vent Anita, that's what these forums are for. I highly doubt that the plate is causing the infection. I did have an area that just would not heal, had granulated tissue and continously wept for almost a year after surgery. I had a minor surgery from my ENT to remove a piece of the plate, 3 screws and he cut out the tissue that wasn't healing....haven't had an issue since.

I did have to have a skin graft to replace the tissue on my last surgery due to where the original tissue was taken. It was further disfiguring my mouth, further pulling it down due to the lack of tissue in the area. It looks better now and if the nerve graft takes then I won't have much evidence of it even being an issue.

I'm still worried about Clark's mental state, this isn't an easy path he's been set down...but it's his path, he's got to walk it. Occupy that mind with anything as long as it's positive...really though talk to your physician about anti-depressants. I don't think they are the answer everytime however I do think that you should have every tool available to Clark to keep him "in" this fight.

Good Luck

Eric