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
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