Minor "set back" for Jerry

Sunday Morning Jerry was snacking on some fresh cherries when he bit down and the cap on one of his front tooth breaking the tooth under as well, leaving the root remaining in the gum. Jerry is now missing one of his front teeth. Not one of the two, but one right next to it. Jerry will visit our dentist this afternoon, but because of his ONJ it will require special treatment to repair the tooth. They will probably not be able to remove the root of the tooth that remains, but will need to do a root canal first, less invasive. Not sure how they will be able to replace the lost tooth???

Ostenecrosis - foul smell

I wanted to let you know that recently I started to smell that foul smell (similar to last summer) about Jerry. I first noticed it last Sunday (03/18/07). Jerry got into the car to drive to Church, and I could smell that foul odor. Throughout the week, I did not smell it again, until Sunday (03/25/07). Again, we were driving to church. After church we were having lunch and Jerry needed to blow his nose. When he did, it was a disgusting smell, It was so bad I had to leave the room. Jerry told me that he couldn't smell it, but he did say during the week, he smelt it. He also mentioned, during the week he saw some yellowish stuff coming out of his nose when he blew his nose, but wasn't seeing it recently. Prior to leaving for our Hawaii vacation (February), Jerry was on antibiotics, but maybe he's getting another bacterial infection in his sinus cavity because of the Ostenecrosis (ONJ)? Jerry's doctor is prescribing another antibiodic, for this infection. The doctor also mentioned that we may need to get another x-ray of his sinus again, as well.

UCLA APPOINTMENT - Update

Jerry's appointment at UCLA, yesterday, was fairly "UNEVENTFUL", except for the snow flurry's! Yes! in Southern California Jerry ran into snow flurry's on his way to his appointment at UCLA in Westwood, CA. Other than the snow flurrys his appointment was pretty much routine. After examining Jerry's teeth, the dentist took some additional pictures of the affected area, and took x-rays. They told Jerry he was doing an amazing job keeping his mouth clean and germ free. They also advised Jerry that he did not need to come see them for three (3) months, unless something changes.

UCLA APPOINTMENT

Jerry will have his routine follow-up visit at UCLA, today, with the Maxillofacial Specialist dentist. UCLA is monitoring his Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. I took a look at the tooth effected by the dead bone, last night. There did not appear (to the naked eye) to be any visual changes. An X-ray, however, would better indicate any changes. Eventually, because the bone above this tooth is dead the tooth will fall out leaving a hole that will need to be plugged. Jerry is very disciplined on keeping his mouth clean. He brushes his teeth after every meal, rinses his mouth with water, as well as with a prescribed mouthwash throughout the day. Having a root exposed like this is opportunity for germs and infection. After last summer's painful episode, Jerry doesn't want to go through that again. After Jerry's appointment today, I will give you an update.

ONJ - OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAW (Dead Jaw Bone)

This picture was taken of a second bone spur removed from Jerry's jaw due to the ONJ (Osteonecrosis of the jaw). This bone spur was discovered during his routine office visit to UCLA. Since August, 2006 Jerry routinely goes to UCLA on a monthly basis, so the maxillofacial specialty dentist can monitor Jerry's condition. ONJ was caused by intravenously taking Aredia over the past several years (Aredia, as well as, Fosamax and other similar type drugs are Bisphosphonates). This form of Osteonecrosis of the jaw is rare. Since UCLA is a learning institution, the internest and residents at UCLA are always interested in Jerry's condition. These pictures were taken at UCLA.

http://www.arediaandzometalitigation.com/index.html

Oncologist Appointment

Today is Jerry's first oncologist appointment of 2007. As Jerry and I continue to fight and manage his advanced prostate cancer I will use this blog as a journal and a way to keep our family and friends informed and as up-to-date, as possible.