No News, Bad News, Good News

We met with Dr. Wadsworth this morning and got a very mixed bag of things to report.

First, he confirmed the need for more surgery.  Some of the native bone the fibula was fused to it has deteriorated from additional ORN, so I have a small gap.  It won’t heal by itself and could get larger, slowly.  The next step will be a new scan to see how much its deteriorated since the December surgery and to use that to decide the extent of the next surgery.  He described four degrees of surgical complexity that could be done, depending on the scan and what they find when they go in that day.  They range from taking a little bit of skin and tissue from my chest to plug the holes, all the way to having a right jaw resection, which would essentially put me back to where I was last May.  There could even be a series of several smaller surgeries as one option.  So, more wait and see, to get the scan done and then meet with him and Dr. Roser to come up with a plan and date.  Hopefully that can happen in 2-3 weeks.

The bad news is that it’s not going to happen soon, or on a schedule we have much control over.  This guy’s operating schedule is booked for a few months ahead, and since my situation is not life threatening, and I’m not in pain, he’s in no great hurry.

The good news is that we can now go up to New York State for Laura and Mike’s wedding in late May.  Terry has been working on the floral arrangements and really wanted to be there in person.

We’ll keep our fingers crossed that this won’t interfere with going to NH in August for Paul and Tolah’s big day.

Mike

"So, now you talk with a limp?"

About two weeks ago I was describing my jaw resection of last May, and told a friend that they cut out my left jaw and took my left fibula to graft that in its place.  He then quipped, "So, now you talk with limp?"  I hadn't thought about it that way, but it's really true and explains why I now...stumble...over some words when I speak.  Everyone's a comic around me--can't imagine why that's the case.

We have an appointment this Thursday with the new surgeon that Dr. Roser has brought on board--upping the count of docs since late 2008 to somewhere North of 60, I think.  We'll find out the options for the next surgery, and hopefully pin down the date--but that might take another visit or two to know.

So, please send some Team Mike Good Vibes that we hear the least intrusive and fastest-healing option on Thursday.  I have resigned myself to the need for this surgery, but I will not be happy if it means another round of IV antibiotics, another nasal feeding tube, and extended down time.

I was at a professional conference this past week and ran into someone I haven't seen since BC (Before Cancer).  I said hello to her by name, but could tell she had no idea who I was, and she gave me one of those polite-to-a-stranger hellos back.  After that event was over, she came over to me and apologized for not recognizing me, saying she was looking for the fully (grey) bearded, heavy set (polite way to say borderline obese) guy she knew years ago.  That reminded me that I've not posted a picture of myself, and Terry, in a long time, so here's what we looked like at that event.  So, suit by Men's Wearhouse, tie by The Jerry Garcia Collection, jaw by Roser, and large Band-Aid by Johnson & Johnson.

More after Thursday's appointment.

Mike

Goddamnmotherfuckingsonofafuckingbitch

Well, that about sums up my meeting today with Dr. Roser.

It is now 100% certain that I will have another surgery in my jaw area.  Exactly what it will be and when it will happen is still not decided yet.  He wants to consult with a neck surgeon to figure out what needs to be done and the projected recovery time.

So, the gift of radiation therapy of 6 years ago keeps on giving.  I have a hole in the bottom of my mouth, between my (surviving) front teeth and lips that leaks fluids from my mouth to under my chin.  That leak can't be sealed without surgery and the wound from the last surgery can't heal until this stops leaking.

I did ask Dr. Roser if  it just can't be sealed with caulk, but he said that the insurance company won't pay for that.  Maybe I can get Home Depot to change that--like a leaky roof. Maybe my jaw needs to be struck by lightning.

All kidding aside, we are both officially over this shit, and the thought of more surgery and recovery time is not a fun one.

We will keep you posted, but in the meantime, please send your Good Vibes that we can can get through this current situation with just Superglue or Duck Tape.

mike