Facial Reconstruction

[Cat1101]

Hello, I’m Cat.

I’m October I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) in my nasal/sinus cavity. It’s quite advanced, locally, and I am about to have a very long surgery to removed a large amount of bone, tissue, skin and teeth. All of my top jaw will be removed, along with my teeth, and replaced with titanium. I will get a skin graft on my cheek from my arm. I’ll get dental implants a few months down the line. My nose will be replaced with a prosthetic after about 6 weeks.

I am very much struggling to come to terms with this. I am 40. I had my first (and now only) baby 10 months ago. I have never heard of anyone having such extensive facial reconstruction as me and I have no idea what to expect. I am taking diazepam daily because the thought of this is so overwhelming I have been hysterical on more than one occasion.

Having cancer at 40 while having such a young g baby is hugely daunting and terrifying, but the surgery is almost as awful for me. I don’t know who to talk to about this. Does anyone k ow anyone else who has had anything remotely similar?

[571971]

oh Cat God help you sweetheart . But all will be well

I have had titanium cheek implants , very good result . I am sure a covering will be put in place before a prosthetic nose is made . The end result will be very good if your worried about that , don’t be ,

Can you also find a local healing church quickly before your surgery . Ask for healing from God . We are in strange times and everyone is noticing that healing from God is becoming miraculous at this time . Abandon yourself to Gods healing loving hands . Every prayer is answered .

Godbless

[vivvy1985]

Hi Cat, I was diagnosed three years ago, with SCC in nasal and sinus, totally understand your overwhelming thoughts. I was fortunate that the surgeon was able to rebuid my nose with bone from my scull . Sounds like you have a lot to cope with so dont want to overwhelm you more. Here if you need to talk further. xx

[Cat1101 in reply to vivvy1985]

Hey, thank you for your reply. I have been given the option of rebuilding my nose using bone from my leg, but it would involve using skin from my forehead, and I feel like that is one more area of my face that will be affected when it doesn’t have to be, if that makes sense. I have already been so overwhelmed with information and emotions that honestly, your reply has only helped. Would you be happy to have a chat about it? x

[vivvy1985 in reply to Cat1101]

Absolutely happy to chat , will take your lead as this is about you, if I can help I will so let me know what you need. Xx

[EvaChangingFaces Partner]

Hi Cat1101 and a warm welcome to the Changing Faces community! Thank you for your post and for sharing your experiences here. It sound like you've been through a lot lately and you've got a lot coming up in terms of treatment and understandably you're feeling a bit nervous and scared about it all. It does sound like it might be a long hard road ahead but it's important to keep pressing forward nonetheless.

There are members here in the forum with experience of all different forms of visible difference and seems that there are people already who recognise some of what you're saying or might have been through a similar process themselves trying to decide how to proceed in terms of treatments and they might be able to offer you their thoughts on how things were for them.

However, everyone is different and no matter how you choose to proceed it's important to trust in yourself and your judgment to guide you through this situation as it has done before in life and believe that you will be able to manage whatever comes your way.

This must have been incredibly hard to endure and deal with so far, especially with being a mum and caring for a baby. I’m sure that some days are particularly difficult and can feel as if you don’t have any control over what’s happening, but I can hear from what you’ve shared that you are fighting it and actively engaging with the things that could help you feel a bit better and that’s really positive.

You have also taken a brave step to express openly how you feel about your situation in this community. I hope you start to build some support and connection with the members on here. I hope you find this community a safe and welcoming space to continue sharing your thoughts and feelings in your journey.

Take care,

Eva - ChangingFaces