Last time I wrote about how I was willing to take the risk to have my bottom teeth out and a couple of implants inserted despite the risk of osteoradionecrosis. I was hoping that the calloused area on my upper right gum was not a suspicious area.

I haven’t heard anything about it since the photo was taken but there have been a couple of other dips on the rollercoaster since then.

First I went to Greenlane for the OPG/CT scan of my jaw. This nondescript looking machine gives surgeons a 3D model of the jaw and shows where nerves and other important structures are, enabling them to make decisions about where to put implants.

It took about 15 minutes – no bother – but a couple of weeks later I spied the report on my GP’s patient portal. Oh no, “possible signs of ORN” it said. Flipping heck, I haven’t even had the teeth out yet and my jaw is already breaking down.

I read it over. The bottom jaw or mandible warranted only a short sentence. Looks okay; bone within normal range. That’s the one I’d be having the op on so that would normally be pleasing.

But no, the bulk of the brief report was about how iffy my upper jaw or maxilla was. There was one place where a hole was beginning to break through to my sinus. Oh no!!!! I told my son and one of my HNC friends. Get hold of the hospital and ask them to explain what’s going on, or what can be done about it, they said.

I didn’t want to email the nurse because one of my long standing differences of opinion with some of the surgeons there is that patients CAN handle medical reports released straight to them via a patient portal.

Here I was panicking over one and (to be honest) not really understanding it in spite of Dr Google.

My almost religious belief in “knowledge is power” also has possible holes in it. Oh no.

I did send an email and the nurse replied but the surgeon hasn’t got back to me and I’ve received two pre-surgical appointments for early next week so I GUESS that nobody has put up a red flag. “This woman already has suspected ORN in her maxilla and is therefore sure to be a risk if you interfere with her mandible.” That’s the red flag I expected and I think there is some logic to my assumption.

However, there is another side. Imaging technology is indicative not definite. And the report was tentative. It didn’t say I definitely had ORN but that there was a possible/probable risk of it.

So I’m going to see how the pre-surgical appointments are and look forward to seeing the surgeon on July 9 which happens to be my 75th birthday.

I’ve been through many disappointments and I approach life with only cautious optimism. And things are good. I have had my drivers licence renewed and my arthritic knee is doing really well now that I walk with a pole (or two). I’ve been for some fantastic walks lately.

So I’m not going to get my knickers in a twist.

This pre-surgical process is proceeding with the speed of light in comparative terms. All steps have proceeded well: seeing the prostho, having the scan, getting the presurgical appointments (by phone, DO NOT COME INTO HOSPITAL they keep texting me) and the long booked appointment with the max fax surgeon.

It’s just that my mouth is like a World War One battlefield after four surgeries for three different tumours so I have to be prepared for anything.