10000

My mom has recently been diagnosed with an
extremely rare tumour in her neck
(pleomorphic adenoma in the deep lobe of the
right parotid gland).

The doctors have confirmed that 99% of all
these tumours are in the superficial lobe
(on the surface). Unfortunately, my moms is the 1% in the deep lobe of the parotid gland (deep in her neck).

These are very rare and they present a
considerable risk to compromising the facial
nerves potentially causing paralysis and
permanent loss of feeling.

According to Dr. Harris, these type of tumours
also have malignant potential with increasing
risk by 2% each year. We have no idea how long my mom has had the tumour and the surgeons
have told her it needs to be removed
immediately.

The tumour removal could technically be
performed in Ontario, however wait times are
very long (waiting is not an option) and the
technology is much more advanced in the USA.
The surgical approach and deficits she will be
left with are not at all the same if the procedure was performed in Canada vs the US.

My mom has now seen 2 surgeons in Canada.
The first one said he wouldn’t preform the
surgery and referred her to other surgeons .
The second surgeon told her that if he removes
the tumour she would permanently lose feeling
to the right side of her face and very likely have a right sided facial droop due to the location.

Sad to say, there is no choice but to access care
in the USA . This is a very desperate feeling.

My mom has consulted and confirmed surgery
next week in the USA. We were hoping OHIP
would help cover at least the costs that would
otherwise be incurred to our healthcare if she
had it done here. Dr. Harris has helped by
referring her case to OHIP so we are very
grateful, however sadly its looking next to
impossible to receive any OHIP assistance.

The costs for the surgical procedure alone are
$20,000 US which is currently over $26,000
Canadian. Very sad that even though in Ontario when we are unable to provide equivalent care
and wait times are ridiculously long, that OHIP is reluctant to help people even in desperate need that require urgent care recommended by a
surgeon who can’t preform the procedure.

The good news is that the surgeon she will see
does a microparotidectomy approach. This
means my moms face won’t be completely
opened to access the tumour and less risk of
permanent damage. A smaller incision is made
around her ear instead of down the side of her
face and down her neck. Also, they do
reconstruction to the indent that will be left on
the side of her face after the tumour is removed at the same time
(as opposed to a second surgery after the fact in Canada).

My mom is confident in the US surgeon. He said he has performed many successful operations
on Canadians and on patients from all over the
world who have had deep lobe tumours. 

We need your support to help with the
immediate expense of booking the surgery.
This excludes the costs of travel and the
extended stay for post op care for a total of 8
days.

Any help you can provide would be greatly
appreciated by our family. Thank you so much
in advance, your kindness generosity and
prayers will never be forgotten.