Nicki, I had the same thing happen to me. I would look ok one day and the next it would be worse then back down again. It took forever til the swelling really went away. It just takes time and patience. Im sure nobody wants this to be over more than your father. A cold compress might help the swelling too. It could be since he isnt taking the pain meds so much that he is swelling more. It could have helped with his inflammation.

I am doing alright. My original mandibulectomy was Aug 2009. The Oct surgery was for reconstruction. It was a piece of cake compared to the 2009 surgery with the never ending hospitalization. Im getting ready to have one more quick out patient procedure to tweak my neck. If I am able to avoid it, I dont want to ever have another big operation again.

Im not sorry for meeting anyone here. OCF has helped me in so many ways including meeting the most amazing people. I feel close to people who have undergone similar treatments as I have. Those are the ones who really do get it. Only if you have had cancer yourself or seen it first handed in your immediate family can you really understand other cancer survivors.

We do have a facebook list if you would like to be a part of that let me know. Its nice to get to see a picture to go with the name. If you would like to be added, write a post under the FB topic in the friends tab and I will add you.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile