Jaw cancer

Hi I haven’t had jaw cancer mine was tonsil cancer but am sure Chris will pop along soon he a minefield of knowledge. Your dads in the right place and you’ve found us on here. Your dad will need help in the next few months am sure you will step up for him. You’ve not mentioned feeding had he been given a peg stomach feeding tube ?Hazel x

Good evening CTF, welcome to the group. I had most of my lower jaw replaced in 2009 using a bone from my leg, i expect your dad has had similar skin tissue taken from his stomach area to help build up the new jaw. Hazel has made a good point about having a feeding tube which im hoping has already been fitted as he will be needing one as he will not be able to eat solid food until everything has healed up. I did not find this operation to be too bad and was surprised how well it all healed up without any severe pain with great end results as my new jaw works very well, it does not open as far as it used to but with a few meetings with a speech and language therapist (SLP) they manged through giving exercises which built up the muscles and nerves in his new jaw. In some cases, they can try to fit implants so that dentures can be clipped on giving him a set of teeth, but this takes about 12 to 18 months to get to the implant stage making sure the new jaw bone is strong enough to take them. 

               All i can say to your dad is life will improve and after about 3 months he will return back to some normality, it will not be easy with some days being better than the other. Please repost if you or your dad are worried or concerned about this operation and the recovery, we will try our best to help you get through it all. If you click on my name it will take you to my profile where i have written about my dealings with cancer. I will help all i can, Wishing you and your dad well during his recovery, take care, be strong.

                                                                                               Chris x

Hi CTF

I had jaw cancer in 2013 which first manifested itself as a small white ulcer on my lower right gum. This turned out to be squamous cell cancer and as a result I had a partial mandibulectomy. I had all my teeth removed along with my gum down to the level of the floor of my mouth. I also had a neck dissection on that side and 6 weeks of radiotherapy. I did not have a jaw reconstruction.

I was not aware of this forum when I had this cancer and found going it alone very difficult even though I had the support of my family .I got quite low and it took me some time to adjust to the changes in my circumstances. However this time around with my second cancer I found this forum and found that being in touch with people who had similar experiences has really helped me.

You sound really supportive and caring and I am sure your father will cope with your help.

He may also find conversing with those who have had similar circumstances helpful and his cancer team should also help with suggestions if he is struggling emotionally. Keeping on top of the pain is really important if your father has to have radiotherapy. His team will guide him with this.

Everyone is different and cope in different ways. Your father may have good and bad days and this is to be expected. Give him some space on his bad days and let him know that you are there for him but don’t take it personally if he gets annoyed or upset.

Unfortunately the whole cancer journey impacts those close to you as well as yourself.

Things do eventually improve over time when you have time to adjust to the changes in your life.

You are doing an amazing job giving your father the support he needs.

Lyn

Hi

i had a different operation which involved removing part of my upper jaw and reconstruction with muscle flap from my thigh.  The only thing that I can really share is to be aware of Trismus which is a contraction of the jaw. I was not aware of this potential syndrome until I reported the symptoms and had help from a SALT. I was advised to use a Therabite and I ended up buying this device from a medical devices supplier as the GP and community Trust disagreed as to held the budget. Using this regularly helps to prevent my jaw contraction worsening (I do have very limited opening) and ensuring that I am still able to eat a varied diet although cleaning my teeth is a challenge.

 I wish your father a good recovery and to keep talking and be prepared for a range of emotions as I felt the cancer diagnosis is similar to a bereavement process as there is often loss (health, vitality,independence, work,etc) and a range of feelings and thoughts is to be expected.  I lost my father to cancer 25 years ago and the father/daughter relationship is a very precious thing.