Welcome to OCF! Im so glad you have found this group to help you thru this. You have a long road ahead with your husbands upcoming mandibulectomy. You are the third person Ive been in touch with this week about their spouse getting a mandibulectomy. Ive been thru this myself so I know firsthand all the ins and outs of this procedure.

You mentioned your husband has been ill with OC for 1 1/2 years. Exactly where was his other cancer? How far from where this one is? Radiation was done to what area? Was it to the exact same area that he will have the upcoming surgery? You probably think Im being too picky asking these questions. Im curious about the exact location of his previous radiation as it could impact the surgery. Are his doctors the same ones who have treated him before?

Your husband is unlikely to remember much of his hospital stay. he should be on some heavy duty pain meds and could be kept asleep for a day or more after the surgery. This is a major surgery, 10+ hours. The hospital stay could be anywhere from about 10 days to 3 or 4 weeks. During his hospital stay, he should have someone with him as much as possible. He will need someone there to advocate for him. Make certain the doctors give him 2 different types of pain meds and that he can have them as needed. If there are 2 different meds available if its too early for the next dose of one he can still have the other medicine to ease the pain. He may need a trach, if so ask for a possey muir vavle trach so when he wakes up he will be able to talk easier.

The recovery can be very long from a mandibulectomy, especially when the leg is also healing. Swelling will be significant for the first few weeks. A complete recovery will be full of ups and downs, its very frustrating for the patient. If further reconstruction is needed, it will not be done until at least one full year after the initial surgery. It takes that long for everything to heal sufficiently and the swelling to be completely gone. Make sure your husband understands that he may look different. Taking several up close photos of every possible angle could be helpful down the road if he needs any additional reconstruction.

Do you have children that need your attention? Like you, Im wondering about having the extra responsibility of having so many people around during the surgery and recovery. Im sure your husbands parents would want to be there for him.

Im sure there are a million other things I can tell you but its very late. I will think of more info and pass it along.

Best wishes with everything!