Dear All,

I am such a lucky girl to have been declared to be cancer-free at two years. This site has been a God-send for the support and information it has provided.

I need some more information and advice, please. My surgeon suggests that I have reconstruction of my upper maxilla. (I lost 5 teeth and the bone that held them, (so that is about 2/3 of one side of the upper jaw that is gone,) in addition to part of the hard palate.) There is a permanent opening in the roof of my mouth about the size of a half dollar. I have to wear an obturator appliance to speak and eat. I am doing remarkably well, and I am thankful for the appliance, but the idea of being "fixed" is very, very tempting.

I need to hear from those of you who have had either upper or lower jaw reconstruction using the fibula from the lower leg. Did you have problems with the graft taking, or did you have a failure? Did you have problems with your leg after harvest of the bone? Did it heal properly? Did you have difficulty walking? Do you still have problems such as a limp or weakness or numbness. Do you have problems with your ear?

I very much want to do this surgery, but at the same time, I could live out my life with this appliance. I am 64 1/2 and intend to be around for a long time. However, if I were younger, this would be an easy decision, and if I were much older, there might be no decision, so I am on the fence.

HELP! I need to know all you can tell me about it. Feel free to answer here, or to PM me or email me. I want to know the good and the bad. Thanks! This is a big surgery, and it is a big decision, and I need your help to make it.

XO--Colleen