Chebath's Surgeries

When I was young I always wanted to do medicine, that desire of mine was fulfilled a bit especially the last two weeks. Chebath, one of our students here at Divyadaan, underwent a major surgery on 8th September. He had a tumour on his neck – but it needs to be called a brain tumor because he had a vagal schwannoma. “Vagal Schwannomas are considered a Brain Tumour.  They are ‘usually’ rare, slow-growing tumours and reported to occur in patients between 30 and 50 years of age.  VAGAL refers to the vagus nerve which is the 10th cranial nerve.  This nerve is the only nerve that runs from the brain all the way down through the body. The vagus nerve controls the working order of all the organs of our bodies and how the skeletal muscles work.  Also controls the heart, espophagus and pulmonary functions.  The ability to swallow and the affected vagus nerve side will affect the vocal cord on that side.” (http://www.vagalschwannoma.com/what-is-it.html)

Chebath’s tumour was discovered during what was thought to be or supposed to be a minor surgical procedure of removing a lymph node on the operation table. Then the doctors asked us to go for an immediate MRI, which confirmed that it was a vagal schwannoma. Chebath agreed to undergo the surgery, knowing fully well that he will lose his voice. Perhaps, two months later he will have to undergo another surgery to correct his voice – to make the vocal chords vibrate again. That was what was planned. But miraculously, the surgeon said that the tumour had not affected the vagus nerve, and he will be able to have his voice, though not as before. It was the 8th September, the feast of Our Lady of Health, and it is her intercession that Chebath had a miraculous intervention. Though his ability to swallow as well as his vocal cords are weakened, he may not have to undergo a voice correction surgery. I thank God for his miraculous intervention through Mother Mary. I admire Chebath’s calm and tranquility, and his strength to undergo this suffering; and I also appreciate his mature decision of undergoing the surgery and accepting the consequences of a major surgery like this. This too is grace.

Incidentally, he has to undergo another operation to repair one of his damaged ear drums. He needs our support and prayers. May God give him strength and endurance.