My name is Terry. I'm a long-term survivor (17 yrs) of stage IV cancer. As a result of rad tx, I developed radioosteonecrosis in my left jaw, which required jawbone replacement surgery in June 2012. Extensive dental work, feeding tube until 04.13, and SLP for swallowing exercises; today I think I'm almost out of the woods. My question to others with similar circumstances is, what are the long-term survival prospects; any complications (i.e., rejection?) experienced? Anyone have dental implants put into the "new" jawbone? What were the outcomes? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Terry Colborn

Diagnosed 10.95 - Stage IV neck cancer that had metastasized from my tonsil. 37 radiation treatments; radical neck dissection; chemo 01.96-04.97.
Radioosteonecrosis 08.11. Jawbone replacement 06.12. Very happy to be alive!