Hi, my dad just had lower jaw, 2/3 tounge, tumror at base of tounge removed. He was scheduled for rad treatments and that has been post-poned because some stitches came out (twice) and plate is showing. They don't want to do rad because they say this needs to fully heal. We understand that, but what if this dosen't heal? One doc says to do rad around the plate( at base of tounge is where he needs it), but rad doc says no, and to start chemo. The overseeing doc tells doc who did surgery to leave plate in and wait. Wait for what?!! We need to get on with treatments. They had mentioned hyperbaric chamber for healing- and I thought great- lets do this to help heal plate, then get on to rad and chemo. We are still waiting. We can't talk to doctor until Sept. 6. We were there a week ago.
What if the plate dosen't take and comes out? This will let us start rad and chemo- but my dads chin will sink in and will he be able to talk? His tounge is already gone so its a little difficult understanding him. He is stressed that all was well after surgery, then it was like sliding backwards down a hole. What a waiting game this is. A real scary one. Has anyone been through this or know something that we don't we are on a few weeks into cancer and all it entails.