Tim McGrath, 38, faced an incredibly rare cancer called Synovial Sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer that caused a large tumor to grow across one side of his face. What began as severe jaw pain in early 2014 led to an MRI that revealed a fast growing mass. Tim initially declined surgery and spent more than a year searching for non surgical options, but the tumor kept expanding and eventually affected his breathing and ability to eat.
By mid 2015 the growth had enlarged so much that he required a tracheotomy to breathe and a feeding tube for nutrition. When his condition became critical, Tim finally underwent a life saving operation. Surgeons had to remove a significant portion of his facial structures to clear the cancer completely. The initial procedure lasted about 30 hours, and Tim spent almost seven weeks in the hospital recovering.
Plastic surgeon Dr Kongkrit Chaiyasate then began the extraordinary task of rebuilding Tim’s face. Using tissue from Tim’s own body, Dr Chaiyasate created a new facial structure that allowed Tim to heal and regain parts of his daily life. Over the years the surgeon performed five major reconstructive procedures, each one improving Tim’s comfort, confidence and functionality.
Tim calls Dr Chaiyasate a human angel for giving him a second chance. With future surgeries, doctors hope he will eventually be able to eat and drink again without medical tubes. His journey has become a remarkable example of resilience, medical innovation and the power of expert care.