Dorety

Sorry to hear Mike is having to deal with this disease again.

I had my jaw split in April 2007, so the doctors could access and remove the tumor on my tongue and floor of my mouth. When split the doctors open the jaw up like a door, close it as Charm said by securing it back together with some plates and screws. For me, the jaw split was no where near as difficult and complicated as having my mandible removed and reconstructed with bone from another site. Following my jaw split, even with so much of my tongue removed, I was able to eat soft foods 4 weeks after my original surgery. I also had a neck dissection from ear to ear and a nerve removed from my neck, so the left side of my neck and shoulder has been numb off and on since.

Things turned very ugly for me following radiohterapy and chemotherapy. Up until then, my recovery was excellent.

Best wishes to you and Mike

Karen