My last post was a bit wrong and too presumptive. I’ve now got the last two test results on my patient portal. I’ve spoken to the surgeon and the prosthodontist.

First of all, my appointment at Middlemore was not for maxfax but for more work on my temporary bottom implant-anchored plate. I’ve been working so hard on end of year functions for U3A and HNCSA that I completely forgot that the prosthodontist works there on Tuesdays. I had a nearly two hour appointment where he took out the resin covered plate and fitted a metal framework (to test it) with great difficulty then screwed my old friend the resin plate back on. Because of trismus it was an awful procedure for us both. I don’t know why it hurt so much but it could have been because the previous week’s biopsy site hadn’t quite healed. It has NEVER hurt before.

I had assumed the appointment was a result of the maxfax scan but no – I was wrong – bad comms – I should have insisted on more info about the appointment. Apparently they have “oral plans” for each patient but this patient has not seen hers. I keep meaning to bring it up with someone in my role as a patient advocate but each time I see people there are so many more acute things to discuss.

The biopsies were negative for cancer but one showed dysplasia almost to the point of carcinoma in situ so that little white patch just inside my lip will have to be treated. The surgeon is thinking of ways to deal with such a superficial lesion without putting me through another surgery. That means a skin cancer cream or a laser. To tell the truth I’m just hugely relieved it’s not invasive cancer. I’m a lucky person.

The radiologist’s report on my patient portal was not such good news. While the mandible with the implants is okay (that IS good news – that plate has been a success), the “alveolar arches” of my maxilla show signs of early osteoradionecrosis. Lack of bone density indicates that. What that means for extracting my remaining teeth I don’t know. I don’t think it sounds good for implants and at the moment I just don’t care and will leave it in the lap of the gods.