86 year old mandible surgery advice - 10-06-2018 03:23 AM
My Mom was just diagnosed with Stage IV jaw cancer. She is 86 year old smoker who also has COPD. The doctors are pushing mandible surgery from chin to earlobe for a tumor in the center of her jaw. We were told 8-10 hour surgery, 7-10 days in the hospital and a month in rehab. They initially said they would take a bone from her leg to replace the jaw. My mother decided she did not want to go through all that and then was told what to look forward to if she didn't. Extreme pain, tumor possibly growing outside of the jaw and draining and eventually needing a feeding tube. Then the doctor said there is another option, which is a plate instead of the bone with skin graft from her chest. He indicated the surgery and recovery times would be less. Now she is torn. She is in fair health condition, COPD, colitis, back issues but able to walk and care for herself as far as basic needs are concerned. We have not gotten a lot of information of the extent of the recovery process, it sounds like it is a long one. Any advice or honest opinions on the recovery process or overall process is greatly appreciated. Tough decisions..