Your reasoning sounds correct to me, it’s exactly what I thought as well. I’m sorry I hadn’t noticed you were from Australia and the advice I gave in my previous reply was directed toward someone in the US. In the US the CCCs are the top facilities for cancer treatment. In Australia, you have a different health system than the YS. If I remember correctly, the Australian system is more like what Canada provides its residents. Several years ago, I had a good friend Gabe from Australia who sadly is no longer with us. All I remember is it sounded like she had excellent coverage but often had long waits for specialists. That was about 7 or so years ago, things could have dramatically changed by now. Please forgive me for assuming you were here in the US! Gabe was one of my OCF friends who convinced me to seek curative treatment before I gave up.

If a second opinion is an option please start making calls as soon as possible. You will need a specialist who has the most experience in this kind of surgery. Not that your current doc isn’t one of the best, just be careful in your selection. What one surgeon does, another might not be able to handle. This kind of surgery is very complex, wayyy too many teeny tiny blood vessels to see up and watch closely to ensure adequate blood flow is working. It’s not something the average surgeon would see on a regular basis. That’s not including the complications of operating on an area that’s been radiated. I suggest asking how many cases the surgeon has per year for this highly complicated surgery.

In the US, HBO (hyperbaric oxygen treatments... laying in a thick clear glass tank in pressurized oxygen) would be added to treatment to help with healing. There’s varying opinions on doing HBO so if thinking of doing this start by asking your current medical team. but for me, it worked great. Also some doctors will say it’s necessary while others say NO WAY!!! due to cancer cells loving all the extra oxygen will grow faster. It’s possible the Marx Protocol of 20 HBO dives before and 10 after the treatment used mostly for extractions if any teeth after having rads. There’s also rads sometimes used. It’s In the US on a case by case basis some patients have had a second round of rads. Make sure you ask about these things cuz you never know what other options may be available unless you bring everything up.

Thru no fault of my doctors, the complications I had from my big surgery left me disfigured. Many would hide in their house but I go out and do whatever I need to do ignoring anyone who stares at me. That is until in the US, it’s mandatory to wear a mask when going out from the Corona pandemic. I’m NOT a fan of wearing it but, boy is it nice to not have everyone staring at me!!! I never stopped doing what I needed to do due to my disfigurement and hadn’t realized it really did affect me. I’m mentioning this just in case it would be possible this could happen in your situation. Ask your doc thrust if any of their patients became disfigured and if yes then how many. Going into this requires a great deal of thought so I’ve tried to put this kind of thing out there just In case it fits your situation. Without having any experience working in the medical profession. By passing along things that could be possible, I’m trying to ensure every single option is mentioned to ask your doc. I’d also suggest asking if your doc can’t (or won’t) do the surgery if they know if another highly skilled surgeon that can do it.... maybe ask them if their own mother needed it who would they send her to.

Best wishes with everything!!!!