Thanks to everyone for the responses. I had a very good weekend with family and friends so I awoke with a better outlook this mornign. I'll savor it for as long as it lasts! Yes Eileen, if I understood correctly, the ENT was definitely recommending surgery especially for the bone infection. She never gave the infection a name. I came up with osteonecrosis and osteoradionecrosis from what I, and others, gleaned from web searches. The ENT told me that this is not an infection that can be treated with antibiotics; surgery is the only option. That is not what all the web articles say. Everyone of them indicates that I need serious antibiotics. Karen Rose..was this the case with you? I am questioning my own understanding of what I was told by ENT. I got the impression that she did not think this is the worst case scenario for me. Her opinion was that this is the most likely outcome because of scar tissue involvement. No one has mentioned HBO Treatments. I don't know what that is. I see it mentioned in the forums but that's about it. I am going to ask my sister to call the doc and ask more questions. She's an RN and has been by my side thru-out this entire ordeal. She certainly understands better than I do and knows the right questions to ask and when to challenge the diagnosis. If you have any suggestions for her, pass them on please. As for getting a third opinion, I'm not sure how to go about it. Since I'm MA, I am limited on where I'm "allowed" to go. It was Cooper who set the wheels in motion to get the approval from NJMA, so now.... do I call them direct? Yes, Eileen, most south Jersey hospitals have a lousy reputation! I thought Cooper has grown out of that in recent years but of course, now I question that too!
I'll keep you posted as I await a scheduling for the PET.
Pat