Update on my health 4/12/11

Hey Guys,

Sorry it's been so long, but I just went to see my surgeon today and got an updated X-ray of my jaw. It's been about a year since he removed the ameloblastoma that was eating away at my bone/tissue in that area. The results could not have been better. There are no signs of recurrence whatsoever. After a year, my surgeon is MUCH more optimistic than he was after the initial surgery. The next step is to see a specialist in Miami to get his opinion on my care going forward. My doctor is still leaning towards more aggressive surgeries, and he said the first 3 years are the most dangerous, but good news is still good news and his tone is noticeably more upbeat. Please keep praying - the likelihood that I'll have to undergo aggressive treatment is still high, but I know that our God is still Jehovah-Rapha (the God who heals) and he has not, nor ever will forsake me. I can't even begin to express my gratitude to all of you who've stood by me, loved me, supported me, and prayed for me. My heart overflows with joy thinking about the outpouring of love I've received. My burden has been easily bearable because of your kindness. I will update you as soon as I hear back from the specialist. Please continue to pray for healing, insurance issues, and financial provision as I take the next step towards wrapping this part of my life up and moving on to something better.

May the Lord, our God, bless you all with his sweet presence and may your heart be filled with love.


~Brendan

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.'" - Lamentations 3:22-24

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