Saving Face With Faith
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
Updates If
Donnie had a 2 week hospital stay after Dr. King and Dr. Hostetler from Harbin Clinic in Rome, Ga found that Donnie had pseudomonis in 2011. Donnie and Sharon are waiting to hear from Dr. Michael Singer to find out when Donnie can start re reconstruction.
We are sad to inform you that Donnie has to have EVERYTHING re-done! The pins that were screwed into the bone between his eyes failed, due to the radiation, according to the doctors. The gold bar that held the dental prosthesis and the nose and eyebrows in place broke.
Donnie's top lip also split apart on August 24, 2010. It was terrifying for both he and Sharon. They went to see Dr. Reginal Sherrill in Dalton, Ga. as advised by their close friend, Joan Bentley, who suggested that an, "ABBE FLAP" be done to save Donnie's top lip. He conferred with Dr. Craig Dufresne who okayed the surgery. It was done on August 27 and has done very well. Donnie is very pleased. Dr. Sherrill cut about an inch of Donnie's bottom lip and flesh down to the chin and "flipped" it to the top lip area and stitched it to the two pieces of the top lip. For 11 days Donnie could not talk or eat as the lips were sewn together. Sharon blended his cereals and soups and Donnie used a syringe to pour the food into the nose area pointing into the mouth. It was tedious and difficult work but he got to stay nourished.
Donnie's lips were separated 11 days after they Abbe Flap was done and it is working well. He is still having to use his fingers to eat as he cannot fit the upper palate into his mouth anymore. It is very discouraging. It is hard to understand some of Donnie's words without the upper palate, he is anxious to get this problem fixed.
Donnie and Sharon are waiting to hear from Dr. Ross and Dr. Singer to find out when they will return to the DC area for Donnie's next surgery and a new upper palate. They are hoping for an October trip so that Donnie can get started on getting back to being able to speak again and hopefully eat without his fingers.
It is a scary and painful time for Donnie who enjoyed eating and talking for the past few months. He has to, once again, eat with his fingers and the emotional pain and recurring sinus infections are aggrivating, to say the least! Donnie needs much prayer! Both he and Sharon need your prayers!
Blessings Abundant
Robert Barron, an anaplastologist, is building Donnie's nose. It will be a functioning nose. It will filter pollutants and help Donnie breathe and keep the nasal area moist and clear.
Dr. Michael Singer is rebuilding the roof of Donnie's mouth. This upper palate will help Donnie speak more clearly and will give him the ability to chew and swallow. Read Dr. Singer's own words Dr. Craig Dufresne and Dr. David Ross are all working together with Dr. Singer to make Donnie whole again.
This is an ongoing procedure and even as Donnie regains some things, others will always be lost to him. He lives in the constant pain caused by nerve damage and no matter how realistic the prosthetic, it IS a prosthetic. Even so, he and Sharon are so thankful for the wonderful blessings they have received, the people who have touched their lives and especially for the "strong fortress who has kept them safe."