My benign parotid gland tumor had been growing for 31 years when my daughter, in what seemed like a miraculous turn of events, discovered the wonderfully informative website that OHNI maintains. Because of this, I had long since given up hope of ever finding a physician who could remove my physically debilitating and more hideous-looking tumor in a way that was both safe and did not cause harm to my face nerves. Because I was unable to continue hiding it behind my hair for the almost ten years leading up to its removal, I was forced to confine myself to the home, which had a significant impact on the kind of life I was able to enjoy. My daughter, who was so impressed by the OHNI website that she grabbed the reins and planned a visit with Drs. Osborne and Hamilton in New York City, was well aware of the history of my lengthy and fruitless quest for a medical remedy. After the event, she shared the news with me. I was in a bad mood! She informed me that what we were doing at this point was only a consultation, and that the choice to go forward with the surgical removal was entirely up to me. Although I had a lot of reservations about going, I went ahead and consented to go. Those of us who are familiar with these physicians will also be aware of how and why my concerns were eventually put to rest by the time the consultation was through. The important and continuous support that Noelia provided with even the smallest of matters further provided us with the assurance that we need that we had selected the appropriate course of action. My operation is planned to take place at the beginning of February in 2012. When we finally left the doctor’s office that day, having received answers to all of my inquiries and having had my anxieties alleviated, I felt as like I could fly as I walked to the vehicle. I stood upright, feeling taller than I had in years, and walking with a lightness of step that I hadn’t experienced in years (tears are rolling down my face as I recollect these memories). After some time had passed, my daughter finally let me know that the operation will be performed in the state of California. Wise lady… because by that time, she understood that I would journey to the very end of the globe in order to have this treatment performed by these two very skilled and kind physicians. It was clear that they had significant knowledge, experience, and competence in the area that they were working in.
After providing the MRI and other pertinent tests authorizing surgery, the team at OHNI greeted us with open arms the day before the procedure. Even though Dr. Osborne was worried by the rapid expansion of the tumor since our consultation in September, he gently reassured me that this obstacle will be overcome. After some time had passed, I found out that he and Dr. Hamilton continued to mull over their options long into the night. My anesthesiologist, Laurie, was in every way the consummate professional that I had come to know her to be in the course of our earlier phone consultations, during which she counseled and encouraged me toward improving my health in the months preceding up to the operation. She was simply exceptional. Her attentive face-to-face and text update communication with my worried family during the surgery was really reassuring, and they expressed their gratitude to her for it. From the pre-operative through the post-operative period, everyone involved with my operation went above and beyond to care for me. Even if I had been attended to by members of my own family, the experience could not have been better. It never ceases to amaze me that I was able to maintain such composure while preparing, especially considering that it wasn’t by chance. For all gave off the impression that today was going to be a significant turning point in my life, and the feelings I got from them led me to believe that they were grateful for the part they played in it.
Surprisingly, following a treatment that lasted 11 hours and removed a tumor with an estimated weight of 7 pounds, I did not suffer any discomfort at all. I unwillingly took one of the prescription painkillers on the very first night in order to allay the concerns of my family, who maintained that I would need it. After having a look around the market the very following day, we went out to eat for lunch. I had such a good time! In the days that followed, I had bruising and swelling of my face, both of which went away after a week but did not cause any pain. On the third day after surgery, once the drain had been removed, the whole medical team came in that little room to have a look at the new me. They couldn’t hide their joy for me. After that, while my energy levels were still rather high, I went and spent the day traveling about and viewing the sites. The members of my family in New Jersey were overjoyed to see me after I had changed my appearance. My long hair was cut down to just over shoulder length, and the scar on my neck was the only indication that I had undergone surgical treatment. Since it is now almost undetectable in comparison to what it once was, I am proud to display it as a badge of pride.
I am aware that Drs. Osborne and Hamilton must have been shocked at first by the magnitude and breadth of my tumor when they first saw it. Even though they didn’t make it clear, I’m rather positive that they had never previously come across a growth of that extent. They were dealing with a patient who was 70 years old, which added another layer of difficulty to the situation. Nevertheless, in spite of the fact that they would be jeopardizing an excellent surgical reputation up to that point, they were glad to have the chance to put an end to the excruciatingly painful mental and physical roller coaster that I had to face for all those years. I am unable to adequately express how far these gentlemen and everyone at OHNI went to lessen the pain that I was in. It was exceptional compared to any other medical encounter I’ve ever had in the past.
Nothing that I’ve written up to this point feels capable of doing justice to all that I’ve been through. In an effort to achieve this goal, I have deleted a significant number of drafts of my account. To put it more simply, I am unable to find the appropriate words to communicate my heartfelt admiration and gratitude to those of you, both identified and anonymous, who have altered the trajectory of my day-to-day life. It is simply so deep and meaningful. We, my family and friends, are grateful to you.