Hi Everyone,

My 2 surgeries, followed by 33 radiation tx with 3 chemo tx prompted me to write last time. The recovery was uphill & frustrating, so I went to a denturist and was fitted with a bottom plate (5 weeks after the final radiation treatment).
Having the option to wear teeth made me feel a lot better! but then on my first check-up by the surgeons & Rad Dr.s, I was told the plate would interfere with the healing. So until the next check-up I only wore the plate occasionally, (eating solid food carefully with knife & fork etc.).
My next check-up with all the doctors was good! I was healing fine, even the oral surgeon said it's OK to have the bottom denture realigned by the denturist. So I did.
Well my last check, the surgeon exclaimed I had 'Stage 1 Osteonecrosis'! and immediately referred me back to the oral surgeon/dentist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Ont.
OK, so, what now?
I am advised to stop wearing my bottom denture, eat only soft food and come back in 3 weeks. I probably have to set aside 3 months for the medical establishment in Ontario, Canada to provide treatment.
They are a little vague about what that involves, however my understanding is HBO followed by more surgery.

I am just realizing that radiation treatment slows (or obstructs) normal healing, (no one mentioned this before I had it done!).

I am going to investigate alternative advice, I don't want to be laid up in a "Learning Hospital", again.

At this stage, I am not wearing the bottom denture plate, and I have stepped back, I am reassessing the whole situation.

Any advice would be helpful. I seem to be clear of cancer, (Yippee), but the bottom jaw is deteriorating and I have to deal with it sooner or later, I am adverse to going back to the Hospital/University that made treatment more aggravating! (by allowing students to look at me all the time!).

Should I seek a second opinion from a hospital in the USA? (which one?, I am in Toronto Ontario Canada).

thanks for listening;
Doug