Ten years after external radiation through my right mandible to treat SCC in my right tonsil and lymph nodes, I was diagnosed with periodontal disease around my back molar in my left mandible. My oral surgeon is concerned about osteomyelitis and wants to remove the tooth. I have had 120 HBO dives (2010 to 2014 to treat right mandible osteoradionecrosis, fistulas, and partial right mandibulectomy. I will have my HBO consult tomorrow, but I already know from that team that the Marx protocol of 20 dives before the extraction and 10 dives after is indicated. My last treatment for cancer, SCC mets to my lungs, was in 2014 and I have been without evidence of disease through PET and CT scans since that time.

I do have some concerns about additional HBO therapy, and my pulmonologist and medical oncologist are not knowledgeable since I am one of those "outliers." I have bronchiectasis as a result of mets treatments, pneumonias, scarring, and have infections every 2 or 3 months that show up with hemoptysis that can be heavy and persistent until antibiotics clear the infection.

None of my docs has experience with my particular set of circumstances nor have I been able to dig up much information on the internet. So, I am turning to the best source for experience ~ survivors on the OCF Forum. Would love to hear from you. Thanks.