It's been a whirlwind of a week. Long story short, we found out on Monday that DH has a benign tumor in his sinus, called Ameloblastoma. He's going to have to have major (10-12 hr) surgery in October, using part of his femur to reconstruct his jaw. We've been assured that the scarring on his face will be minimal...but the recovery (with physical therapy) will be no less than 6 months. He'll have to miss at least 4-6 weeks from work. I haven't mentioned anything to my work, but I do have a job that I can work from home. Hopefully, even though I'm still kinda new, they'll be understanding and accomodating.
As terrified as we are, we're starting to come to grips with everything and wrapping our heads around it all.
Does anyone have any experience with something like this? Or know someone who has? Or if you can send any T&Ps our way - it would be sincerely appreciated.
Re: thoughts...insight...prayers...help...
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that--lots of thoughts coming your way and I hope you can get everything sorted out with work.
Our Share of the Harvest:How a couple cooks from a CSA share. Pick Up Day Week 15
No experience but T&P's are with you and your family!!
DE IVF #1= 04/11 - BFP
I will keep your DH and you in my T&Ps.
A friend of mine from college had sinus cancer, a recurrence and is still going through the reconstruction process. His treatment started at a hospital local to him, but I know he has been down to Hopkins for parts of his treatment/reconstruction. He maintains a Caring Bridge site that I could pass along to you via PM, if you are interested.
oh geez, that is a lot for you guys to deal with. I'm so sorry. I will be thinking of you and wishing him a speedy recovery.
My good friend had a pretty large benign cyst removed from her sinuses, but it doesn't sound like quite the same thing. She didn't have to have any kind of reconstruction done, just the surgery to remove it. Best of luck to him!
Wow - gosh, I'm sorry you are going through this; how scary.
DH has had minor sinus surgery to remove polyps a few years ago, but nothing like what your DH has been diagnosed with. I will be keeping you guys in my thoughts!
Thank you everyone for your T&Ps and kind words. Honestly, it really does help. Just the support and knowing people are there to listen (read)...it helps. And I want to thank you.
He went to the ENT just so they could take a look at his sinuses because he is ALWAYS blowing his nose, and sometimes it's a little bloody (TMI, sorry). They did a CT scan, he was sent to an allergist, and finally an oral surgeon. The oral surgeon did a biopsy on the cyst (so they thought that's what it was), and wound up removing a wisdom tooth in the process. Once the tests came back, they determined that it wasn't a cyst and in fact the ameloblastoma (tumor). Apparently, these can grow if the wisdom teeth aren't removed. Not super common, but it does happen. According to the doctor, this has been growing for 10-12 years. These types of tumors are more common in the lower jaw, but can grow in the sinus area. And it took us completely by surprise because you can't tell there is anything there by looking at him. If you let this go, apparently you'll be able to tell - since it'll be too big for the jaw/sinus to contain.
That might have been a little more than you were looking for, but I hope it helps.
Andrea, I'm so sorry to hear this. I haven't been on here in quite a while but Tyler told me about this and I had to come show my support!
But it really sounds like the doctors have it all mapped out and there is a great game plan in place. I know it has to be a shock and so scary but it seems like there's every reason to be confident in the surgery and happy that it was caught now instead of later. I'll be thinking of you guys. If you need any help let me know -- we would always be happy to watch Jackson! Or anything else you need, including someone to vent to.
MyBio
I don't have personal experience to speak from, but I am so sorry you and your DH are going through this, Andrea. You'll be in my thoughts! If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask.
*hugs*
BFP#1: 01/10, M/C 6w -- BFP#2: 06/10, M/C 5w -- BFP#3: 09/10, DS born June 1, 2011
BFP#4: 07/12, M/C 5w3d -- BFP#5: 12/12, EDD 08/18/13
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