My doctor looked at the most recent X-rays of my mouth (taken in 2006) and he pointed out the ameloblastoma was already present. This is good, in that we now know that it didn't spring up in matter of months. We're still preceding quickly, however, this takes a little bit of the pressure off, since my symptoms didn't show up until 3 months before the surgery - he previously feared that it grew that quickly. The surgeon sent my info off to Gainesville and they should be calling me in the coming days. I'll let you know what comes of that.
~Brendan
Friday, April 16, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Update on my health - April 12th
I owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to Pamela Stergios and Jesse Wolf who together mastermind to raise funds to help me cover the massive cost of all my surgeries. They asked if they could send people here, so I figured I'd update you on my health from here, too.
It looks like I'll be heading to Shands hospital at UF (Gainesville, FL). The surgeon in Miami wouldn't take me without insurance, so we're going with GREAT option number two. My doctor is working on a referral now. I believe the plan will involve taking out my entire left side of the lower jaw and replacing it with bone from my hip. Later there will be skin grafts, implants, etc.. This is my best chance to beat this thing and never see it again. As it stands, I'm looking at about a year of surgery, hospitals, recovery, etc...to quote the doctor, "until you're starting to get happy again..." Well, I'm happy now, and don't intend to change anytime soon, thank you very much! I can't believe how many of you have donated in response to Pam and Jesse's request already, thank you for that. I'm working hard trying to find programs and whatnot to help offset some of the costs, but they are already mounting, and will certainly continue to do so, even if I get all the help that's available. Please continue to pray. I covet your prayers. God is faithful, and I know keep me, by his sufficient grace. I love you all.
~Brendan
Update on my health - from March 24
This was a note that I posted on facebook a couple of weeks ago when I got the diagnosis. Since my good friends Pam and Jesse are sending people here, I thought I'd repost it for reference.
I went to my surgeon today and found out that the biopsy came back as a Basal Cell Ameloblastoma. Basically, an aggressive tumor.It comes from cells that form teeth going awry and usually lays dormant until your late 20's or early 30's. It is very aggressive and if unchecked will destroy anything in its path as it rapidly spreads. So my doctor said there are no options, since it is often fatal when aggressive surgical measures aren't taken. In the initial surgery, they took it all away. However, there is an 95% chance it'll come back if we do nothing else, and if it comes back, it's always much worse (around a 30% mortality rate with recurrence). The solution is more surgery. The protocol calls for another centimeter and a half of bone or whatever to be cut out around where the cyst was (already over 5 cm). They will cut through my face, and there are lots of complications as it's a huge area they're removing, honestly I don't totally understand all of the implications, yet. I have to see a surgeon in Miami, who is the worlds best at this type of surgery. My surgeon said he'd fly from Africa to be seen by this guy if he were in my shoes, and I trust him. Of course, I don't have insurance, and so I'm really having to trust God to provide and hope the surgeon still takes me without it, as I am likely uninsureable at this point (as far as I know). I don't know how long I'll be out of commission, how many surgeries it'll take (skin grafts, reconstruction, etc...), or how much pain will be associated with it and for how long. I'm told that if the surgery goes well, my chances of beating this thing go up to 95%. I have another appointment on Wed. to talk with the Doctor more, and I'll be doing some research in the meantime. Thanks to everyone for their prayers. We serve a mighty God, who loves each of us beyond anything we could imagine, and knows all of our days from the first to the last. I'm reminded of Romans 8:
Romans 8:20-25
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
I know I have some pain coming, but all of it is "as in the pains of childbirth" and will lead to my ever increasing joy in Jesus. Every day I wake up to the goodness of God and this is a greater reality than any physical difficulties.
Whatever the process, I know that God is with me. Again, thank you for your prayers; I covet them. I look forward to seeing the other side of this and moving on. To God be the glory.
~Brendan
I went to my surgeon today and found out that the biopsy came back as a Basal Cell Ameloblastoma. Basically, an aggressive tumor.It comes from cells that form teeth going awry and usually lays dormant until your late 20's or early 30's. It is very aggressive and if unchecked will destroy anything in its path as it rapidly spreads. So my doctor said there are no options, since it is often fatal when aggressive surgical measures aren't taken. In the initial surgery, they took it all away. However, there is an 95% chance it'll come back if we do nothing else, and if it comes back, it's always much worse (around a 30% mortality rate with recurrence). The solution is more surgery. The protocol calls for another centimeter and a half of bone or whatever to be cut out around where the cyst was (already over 5 cm). They will cut through my face, and there are lots of complications as it's a huge area they're removing, honestly I don't totally understand all of the implications, yet. I have to see a surgeon in Miami, who is the worlds best at this type of surgery. My surgeon said he'd fly from Africa to be seen by this guy if he were in my shoes, and I trust him. Of course, I don't have insurance, and so I'm really having to trust God to provide and hope the surgeon still takes me without it, as I am likely uninsureable at this point (as far as I know). I don't know how long I'll be out of commission, how many surgeries it'll take (skin grafts, reconstruction, etc...), or how much pain will be associated with it and for how long. I'm told that if the surgery goes well, my chances of beating this thing go up to 95%. I have another appointment on Wed. to talk with the Doctor more, and I'll be doing some research in the meantime. Thanks to everyone for their prayers. We serve a mighty God, who loves each of us beyond anything we could imagine, and knows all of our days from the first to the last. I'm reminded of Romans 8:
Romans 8:20-25
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
I know I have some pain coming, but all of it is "as in the pains of childbirth" and will lead to my ever increasing joy in Jesus. Every day I wake up to the goodness of God and this is a greater reality than any physical difficulties.
Whatever the process, I know that God is with me. Again, thank you for your prayers; I covet them. I look forward to seeing the other side of this and moving on. To God be the glory.
~Brendan
Friday, April 9, 2010
A few of my favorite coffee varieties
I really like coffee and people always ask me about my favorite varieties and countries of origin. Here are a few off the top of my head. My favorite coffees are West African varieties. I love a good Rwanda Buremera. I'm also a fan of Ethiopian coffees, particularly a nice tan Harrar, or the ever popular Yirgacheffe, A good Indian Malabar is also an excellent choice. As far as the Americas go, a nice Brazil can be very pleasing if roasted lightly. I also tried a Mexican Peaberry last year that was amazing (and I'm not usually a fan of Mexican coffee). I also enjoy Central American offerings such as a chocolaty Nicaraguan or a subtle Guatemalan coffee. My heart will always be with Africa, though. Does anyone else have a favorite they'd like to share?
Friday, April 2, 2010
Chet Baker
Well, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to write here. I suppose it should be something interesting. Since I’m the music guy here at N.C.F. I’ll start with that. It’s 5 a.m. and I’m awake with pain from my surgery last week. Pain really makes you appreciate it’s absence. You start to notice moments of relief or rest and appreciate them more. Anyone who knows my taste in music, knows I like jazz. Right now, I’m listening to Chet Baker. Chet was a trumpeter from the 1950’s. He was on the cusp of the “cool” jazz movement, and he was cool! His recording of “My Funny Valentine” with Gerry Mulligan (1952) is considered one of the best versions of that standard ever recorded. Chet also sang. O! Did he sing. He had one of those melt the skin off a rhinoceros voices that had all the tonal resonance and control of his other instrument. Yet, he was often criticized by jazz “purists” of his day for his singing. Apparently, it wasn’t cool to sing. Well, I’ll let you draw the parallelisms here, but I for one am glad that he didn’t listen! Enjoy.
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