Progress for Martin

This update was written Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010
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Rom. 5:3-5
We also rejoice in our suffering because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope (confidence in Him) and hope (confidence in Him) does not disappoint.

Rom. 8:32
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over to us all, how will he not also with Him give us all things?

Matthew 21:22
And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.

Ps 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Hi everyone,

My surgery was yesterday. It started at 6AM when they came and got me at our room. Traci and I go to spend some time together while they prepped me for surgery. When the time came for me to go, we said our goodbyes, a hug and a kiss and off I went. I was in the OR by 7 and was still lucid so I could see what was going on. It was quite fascinating. About 20 minutes later they administered a drug to " take the edge off" and I was out like a light.

I woke up around 2pm when I was being wheeled into the recovery room. I was a little fuzzy still and recalled thinking that I got an extension of grace again because I was still here. I was thankful and grateful that I would see my wife, my kids, my family and friends again.
Then I realized I had another bonus, my mouth could open again. It was a thrilling experience.

Today I got more details as to what happened in surgery. Phase I involved the removal of the dead bone and damaged tissues from radiation.

Some of the bone was quite compromised. It was brittle and porous and quite evident that no or little blood supply was getting to it. They were able to limit the amount to be removed so that my lower jaw still has some definition.

They also found a large abscess that had collected all sorts of debris from the dying tissue. This area was at the back of my jaw. It created other issues that had been giving me pain for quite some time. Once they got it cleaned out, they found other areas that had collateral damage as well. The end result was that there was a large hole.

They were very meticulous in how they they approached the challenge and went above the call of duty. We are very grateful.

Phase II involved rebuilding the areas that had to be removed. Initially we were going to not do anything for awhile. However, with a reduced loss of bone and the large hole that needed donor tissue, they modified the plan.

To plug the hole, they used my donor pectoral muscle from my chest and moved it to my face. This was done without detaching the muscle from the blood supply. They moved it all in one section under the skin.
Don't read this part if you are squeamish...they twisted the flesh so that the outside skin side is on the interior area of the bottom left side of my mouth. There is also a skin graft from my thigh used to cover the neck area where diseased skin was removed.

By the way, my plastic surgeon had one arm in a cast due to an injury over the holiday weekend. Yet he was there and had a few other hands of his capable staff assist. It is refreshing to see this "lets get it done" attitude and to be a recipient of that is awesome. We are very grateful.

Today was focused on recovery. I have walked, taken a sponge bath, added the temporary abdominal feeding tube, removed the catheter and slept a little.

We have also had opportunities to be a refreshment to others either by passing on some small books like "Christian At Ease!" or talking about divine solutions for human problems.

Thanks again for the prayer artillery support for us and our family. It has been and is a major impact. To see the barrage in action is very overwhelming.

Thank you and Semper Fi

Martin and Traci