got a new update today...

today FFIL and FMIL met with the ENT and reconstructive surgeon to discuss reconstructive surgery timeframes.

ENT thought he looked good, the swelling in his face has gone down considerably and his color looked good as well. Both doctors looked at his mouth, jaw area, etc. and were trying to decide the best course of action. There most likely will be two surgeries. The first one will be a surgery where they take a large area of skin/tissue from the underside of his left forearm and I think some vessels and position them into his mouth to allow his jaw to open up wider. PLastic Surgeon said he couldn't do any other surgery until he had better access through a bigger opening. Prior to that they will do a 'doppler' test to check out his circulation in both of his arms/hands. Hopefully, the first surgery will take place before September. Meanwhile, his trach and gtube will stay in place for now and possibly even after the first surgery. More physical therapy will be needed after this surgery.

The second surgery is still up in the air as to what they would do............try to close up the palette area with additional tissue/skin or have him wear a prosthetic appliance daily.--> what kind of prosthetic appliance are they talking about here?

He will be going for a CAT scan this week to determine if the infection he had in his mouth/jaw is gone so he can stop taking the antibiotics he's been on since early March.


*KATIE*
future FIL dx with s4 SCC in jaw11/09 15 hour surg/trach/PEG in. 7 weeks of cisplatin/rads. 6/10- cancerous lung nodule- 1 wk of radiation. 8/13 pneumonia. 8/24 pulmonary embolism, on ventillator. 9/3/10 died peacefully w/o pain with family. 9/17/10 my wedding