Hi all, I’m new. I’m 35.

February 2020 I visited my dentist who was concerned about some gum recession and sent me to a periodontist. I saw the periodontist in March when he found a concerning area on my panorex and referred me to an oral surgeon for evaluation. The oral surgeon found a 4 cm long tumor on my CT and performed a biopsy where it was identified as a very aggressive but thankfully benign Odontogenic Myxoma. I was then referred to ENT oncology at UC Health for treatment where in July 2020 I had a partial mandibulectomy and fibula free flap reconstruction (surgery was about 8 hours, 15 medical staff on the procedure, I was in ICU for 8 days plus 2 additional days back in hospital after some complications after being sent home). In December 2020 I had debulking preformed to get closer to looking like my pre-surgery self. I’m almost 7 months out and am looking at yet another surgery but this time on my leg with an orthopedic surgeon. What is left of my fibula has too much “play” and has destabilized my ankle resulting in injuries to my syndesmosis (high ankle sprains) and several falls. I completed PT which did strengthen my lower leg and ankle but I’m still having pain, limited mobility, and instability. The orthopedic surgeon wants to essentially strap my fibula to my tibia to keep it in the correct position for my ankle joint and syndesmosis. That surgery is currently scheduled for early March 2021. I feel so disheartened and frustrated.

Has anyone had to have a secondary surgery to stabilize their fibula after a free flap? My ENT surgeon told me that during that first major surgery they didn’t need to do anything for the fibula and that it would stabilize itself with scar tissue. Is this normal? What were your experiences like?

Thanks in advance for any advice and feedback. I appreciate it. ❤️