Tim McGrath, a man from Michigan, spent years facing an extremely rare cancer called synovial sarcoma, a disease that affects only between 1 and 3 people per million. It all began with pain in his jaw and ended with a 30-hour surgery in which he lost an eye, an ear, and much of his face.
He tried alternative treatments, chemotherapy, and radiation. Nothing seemed to be enough. The tumor kept growing, and he ended up living with exposed flesh after several failed reconstructions. But then a surgeon appeared who literally began rebuilding his face using skin and muscle from his leg, arm, and forehead.
And most incredible of all, Tim managed to beat cancer. Today he hopes to eat, speak, and smile normally again. “I am much more than my appearance”, he said.
