Man left with HALF a face after aggressive cancer ravaged his features is undergoing drastic reconstruction ops
Tim McGrath, 38, was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, after his jaw pain turned out to be a grapefruit-sized tumour
A MAN left with half a face after his features were ravaged by an aggressive cancer has undergone a life-changing op.
Tim McGrath, 38, was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma - an extremely rare form of soft tissue cancer.
It caused a huge, grapefruit-sized tumour to grow on his jaw.
Medics managed to cut out the cancerous mass, but his body rejected multiple attempts to rebuild it.
Now, after a year of living with exposed flesh, top surgeon Dr Kongkrit Chaiyaste heard about Tim's plight, and agreed to help.
Using skin from his leg and forearm he performed an incredible op to begin rebuilding the features on the left side of Tim's face.
Tim, a keen golfer, said the reconstruction work on his face is expected to continue into next year.
Tim, from Michigan, USA, said: "After the operation to remove the tumour I was heartbroken, I didn't realise that half of my face would be taken away and it wasn't until I went to Dr Chaiyasate that I start to feel real hope again.
"I was covered in scars from previous surgeries which limited my options for reconstruction but we went ahead and the outcome has been incredible.
"He reconstructed my face using skin and muscle from my left leg, left forearm, and a flap from my forehead, and skin grafts were used to help the healing process.
"I currently can't drink liquid, eat through my mouth, or pronounce certain words, however my quality of life has improved massively.
As well as removing part of my face and bone structure, they had removed most of the muscle in my back, they had taken a rib, and they took part of my scapula and part of my shoulder too
Tim McGrath
"There are people who stare at me, mostly children who don't understand, but I would hope that others look past what they can see.
"My journey has been long and mostly inconceivable to most, but I have an amazing support group around me and I draw strength from them daily.
"I have been through something horrific, but if what I've gone through can inspire people to live their lives with gratitude for the things they take for granted than it makes what I've gone through all worth it."
Tim was first diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, in February 2014 after complaining of severe jaw pain.
An MRI revealed an egg-sized tumour however Tim turned down surgery and spent the following 18 months seeking non-surgical alternatives.
Unfortunately synovial sarcoma is resistant to many things, including chemotherapy, and the tumour continued to grow.
He added: "At the end of May 2015 the tumour doubled in size and I had to have a tracheotomy fitted to enable me to breathe and a feeding tube so I could eat, because the tumour had invaded the space in my mouth.
"Heavy doses of radiation caused the tumour to start dying and shrink and parts started to fall off, eventually I got my mouth back and I could eat very thin pieces of food.
"After the tumour shrank and the radiation treatment was over I had to wait a few weeks before they could remove the remaining mass."
If what I’ve gone through can inspire people to live their lives with gratitude for the things they take for granted than it makes what I’ve gone through all worth it
Tim McGrath
In October 2015, Tim was admitted to hospital where he stayed for almost seven weeks following the initial 30-hour operation to remove and then reconstruct his face.
Tim said: "Before the surgery they gave me the worst case scenario, they said I would have to lose my left eye and my left ear, but I didn't believe that was going to be necessary.
"When I woke up I was in complete shock, as well as removing part of my face and bone structure, they had removed most of the muscle in my back, they had taken a rib, and they took part of my scapula and part of my shoulder too.
"This was so that they could rebuild my bone structure and the surrounding area however my body rejected the first attempts.
"Eventually I was discharged and the cavity was closed but over time the transplant kept shrinking and I experienced numerous infections.
"There were so many times when I wanted to give up and at times it was difficult to find the strength to carry on."
most read in health
During his long journey towards recovery Tim made the bold decision to leave his original surgeon and was welcomed with open arms by Dr Chaiyasate – who he heard about through a friend - in April 2016.
He added: "I am fortunate enough that he practices within 12 miles of my parents' house.
"Dr C is a humanitarian, who dedicates his life towards giving and helping others, he is humble and has an amazing sense of humour, I consider him a great friend.
"He has given me so much hope.
"I've had over 20 surgeries to date and five of those have been with Dr C, none of which have been rejected.
"Dr C now wants me to have a year off to relax and gain my strength back, let the swelling go down and just have fun in life.
"I am definitely taking advantage of every opportunity I have to live."
WHAT IS SYNOVIAL SARCOMA?
THE soft tissue cancer develops in cells around the joints and tendons.
Synovial sarcoma can develop anywhere in the body, but typically affects the knees of young adults.
It is thought to be triggered by a genetic mutation.
The most obvious sign of the cancer is a lump or swelling under the skin.
They often grow on the arm, leg or a person's trunk.
They will typically be a cause of concern if:
- they are growing in size
- is larger than 5cm
- usually painful, but not always
Treatment varies, but often includes surgery to remove the tumour, as well as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
As with other cancers, the outlook depends on the tumour size, where it is and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
Those with tumours larger than 5cm are more likely to be risk of the disease spreading. In this case the prognosis is poor.
Dr Chaiyasate will continue with the reconstruction of Tim's face next winter which will further help his speech and will give him the ability to eat and drink again.
Tim said: "My family and friends have been amazing and their fundraisers have helped me afford and endure the $40 to 50k that has had to come out of pocket.
"I have been incredibly lucky to have insurance, the first eight weeks in hospital rang up a bill of $1.2 million alone.
"I have now found the confidence to share my story, and if my journey can lead to a happy life for others around me then I truly understand why I was chosen to walk this path."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368