I had squamous cell carcinoma of mouth in March of 2020. I was operated on in May. They did a bilateral segmental mandibulectomy. They took a graft from my fibula and all was well until a week later when the graft broke down so I had to go back to theatre to have it done again this time taking the free flap graft from my wrist. This time all was okay and I recovered.
I had radiotherapy in July and August. I did find this difficult due to having to put a tight mask on for the radiotherapy. But the treatment went well and I started to recover.
I had various infections in my graft sites and neck. Antibiotics helped that. I’m not good at healing and when my neck flared up with yet another Infection I had to go back to theatre and they removed part of the metal plate they had put in. I thought that should sort things out but the wound wouldn’t heal and gradually it opened up to show bone. I went back to theatre in July 2021 where they removed the rest of the plate and I had a further free flap graft from my wrist.
I'm now helping but have been left with a facial droop on my left side. I have coped reasonably well with all that has happened. But now I’m feeling quite down with how the facial droop looks. I find eating and drinking difficult due to my mouth not sealing properly. I wondered whether anyone had similar problems with eating and drinking and if they have any advice? X
