Hi everyone, my mum was diagnosed with cancer in the jaw and left lymph nodes and yesterday she had a 13 hour surgery to remove her full bottom jaw, her left lymph nodes and some on the right too just to be sure it’s all removed. I’ve been to see her today and she’s doing well but I didn’t realise how much swelling there actually would be. Has anyone had experience with full/ partial jaw removal? How long does the swelling last? When we’re you able to start talking and eating again? She also said her leg is very uncomfortable where they took bone from, anyone know how long this usually lasts?
Good evening kclarke , sorry to hear about your mum having to go through this operation as I have had the same 13 hour operation , I never saw how I looked after the operation but my wife said I looked like a football, this is quite normal and is a normal reaction . You should see a difference in your mum everyday as the swelling goes down fairly quickly with a big improvement by day five . I believe I was nil by mouth for two weeks , I cant remember exactly as it was done in 2009 , its suprising how quickly it all heals up al though there can be risks with the skin grafts not taking , if she has not had radiotherapy before then the risk is much lower , I had one that had to be re-done but I had radio a year earlier . I think the talking came quicker than the eating so maybe after 7 to 10 days it just depends on how things heal up as the body seems to focus on the most important issues first , a bit like when we cut ourselves the body goes into overdrive to heal it . Again the leg is much the same , it was agony for me when I tried to walk on it but I did not need crutches but had physio before hand so the muscles are kept functioning , Again the pain gets less and less each day so please get you mum to ask for stronger pain killers , always over exaggerate the pain level . I was on oxycodone ,still am , but that's for other issues I have . If you click on my profile name you can read a brief out line of my journeys . I did accept your friends request yesterday so its all good . Please re-post if you have any concerns or send me a private message and we/I will try and help ,im now officially cancer free after 11 years and my jaw bone is still ok and considering whats involved they have done a great job . All the very best to you and mum ,take care .
Chris x
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
