Sondra's Smile
Donation protected
Sondra has always been a sweet and bubbly little girl. She always has had a smile on her face, no matter how sick she was or how bad she felt. She has always been able to warm the hearts of her family and friends and anyone who comes in contact with her.
Back in November 2014, Sondra was admitted into Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse, NY for a mass on her left cheek. We had no idea what this hard little bump was. After blood tests, an MRI, and a biopsy, we received the horrific news that our little girl had a very rare benign tumor called an Ossifying Fibroma of the Mandible. According to her doctor, Dr. Sherard Tatum, she is the second known case in children under 10.
At first, we had no information. Nothing, We had a billion questions and no one could answer them because no one knew exactly what was going on.
After a few months have gone by, the tumor has grown at a very quick rate. Back in mid-December, it had quadrupled in size in 1.5 months. Now, a month from that time, it has grown even more.
Sondra's doctor has informed us of what he is going to do. He has decided to go in and remove the tumor completely, which will include taking out a third of her bottom jaw. With this, the sensory nerve that give her feeling in her bottom lip on the left side, runs right through the tumor. She will not regain that nerve, but with her age, he is hopeful that other nerves will grow into that space and replace the missing nerve.
After he removes the tumor, he will take the top rib on her right side, connected to her lung, and replace the missing jaw piece. He is taking the piece of rib in hope the growth plate will connect with her jaw, and grow with her, but there are no guarantees.
After the 6-8 hour surgery she will endure, Dr. Tatum will wire her jaw shut, as to not not disrupt the procedure he just completed. She will be in the ICU at Upstate for a week or so, and in the hospital for another 2-3 weeks.
Sondra just turned 2 back in December, so with her age, there are more complications than there would be with adults. Her blood vessels are smaller, creating the possible need to use the blood bank. Also, taking the rib connected to the lung creates for possible infection and possibly a collapsed lung. And the biggest complication is if the rib piece does not connect with her jaw. If this is the case, her chin will shift toward the tumor side, creating an asymmetrical jaw. If this happens, there will be multiple surgeries over the next 16 years to correct it. She will also not have any teeth from her canine back on her left side until she has her adult teeth and they are comfortable with a denture-like fixture in her mouth.
We have gone through many sleepless nights and a lot of tears. We have a amazing support system with our friends and family. This little girl means the world to us and we just want to ensure her health, safety, and security through the horrendous process she is about to endure.
As we work through the days leading up to the surgery, we are asking our friends and family to help offset some of the costs we are going to endure.
Just know that every penny will go toward this little princess so that both her mommy and daddy can help her through the first major surgery of her life. She has always been a tough cookie and I'm sure she will come out on top. This is one of many, many more surgeries to come over the next 16 years.
We ask you to spread the word of this very rare case to your friends and family, in hopes to gain support for the happiest and sweetest little girl. We will be updating everyone on her surgery and doctor's appointments as we go along. We just ask that you all keep us in your thoughts and prayers in this time.
Mommy & Daddy love you very much peanut. You are doing your best and that's all we can hope for.
Thank You all and please stay tuned for updates.
Back in November 2014, Sondra was admitted into Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse, NY for a mass on her left cheek. We had no idea what this hard little bump was. After blood tests, an MRI, and a biopsy, we received the horrific news that our little girl had a very rare benign tumor called an Ossifying Fibroma of the Mandible. According to her doctor, Dr. Sherard Tatum, she is the second known case in children under 10.
At first, we had no information. Nothing, We had a billion questions and no one could answer them because no one knew exactly what was going on.
After a few months have gone by, the tumor has grown at a very quick rate. Back in mid-December, it had quadrupled in size in 1.5 months. Now, a month from that time, it has grown even more.
Sondra's doctor has informed us of what he is going to do. He has decided to go in and remove the tumor completely, which will include taking out a third of her bottom jaw. With this, the sensory nerve that give her feeling in her bottom lip on the left side, runs right through the tumor. She will not regain that nerve, but with her age, he is hopeful that other nerves will grow into that space and replace the missing nerve.
After he removes the tumor, he will take the top rib on her right side, connected to her lung, and replace the missing jaw piece. He is taking the piece of rib in hope the growth plate will connect with her jaw, and grow with her, but there are no guarantees.
After the 6-8 hour surgery she will endure, Dr. Tatum will wire her jaw shut, as to not not disrupt the procedure he just completed. She will be in the ICU at Upstate for a week or so, and in the hospital for another 2-3 weeks.
Sondra just turned 2 back in December, so with her age, there are more complications than there would be with adults. Her blood vessels are smaller, creating the possible need to use the blood bank. Also, taking the rib connected to the lung creates for possible infection and possibly a collapsed lung. And the biggest complication is if the rib piece does not connect with her jaw. If this is the case, her chin will shift toward the tumor side, creating an asymmetrical jaw. If this happens, there will be multiple surgeries over the next 16 years to correct it. She will also not have any teeth from her canine back on her left side until she has her adult teeth and they are comfortable with a denture-like fixture in her mouth.
We have gone through many sleepless nights and a lot of tears. We have a amazing support system with our friends and family. This little girl means the world to us and we just want to ensure her health, safety, and security through the horrendous process she is about to endure.
As we work through the days leading up to the surgery, we are asking our friends and family to help offset some of the costs we are going to endure.
Just know that every penny will go toward this little princess so that both her mommy and daddy can help her through the first major surgery of her life. She has always been a tough cookie and I'm sure she will come out on top. This is one of many, many more surgeries to come over the next 16 years.
We ask you to spread the word of this very rare case to your friends and family, in hopes to gain support for the happiest and sweetest little girl. We will be updating everyone on her surgery and doctor's appointments as we go along. We just ask that you all keep us in your thoughts and prayers in this time.
Mommy & Daddy love you very much peanut. You are doing your best and that's all we can hope for.
Thank You all and please stay tuned for updates.
Organizer
Heather Ann
Organizer
Syracuse, NY
