• I am elated to announce that I do not have an ameloblastoma but was instead diagnosed today with a benign keratocystic odontogenic tumor! Although I will still need major surgery to remove it, especially as it is so extensive, and I may even lose some teeth, my mandible does not need to be resected! • Even though I was told it would be there for six to eight months, the drain was nevertheless removed today as it was apparently not doing its job very well. Today’s surgeon said that the next step would have to be “decompression” whereby I think she was referring to marsupialization. Although I’m not looking forward to that either, the drain was quite the nuisance. • I also saw the sleep specialist today. After briefly examining me, he determined that my obesity and neck circumference are only borderline problems, and that the primary cause of my obstructive sleep apnea is micrognathism, an abnormally undersized mandible. Can you believe it? I am scheduled for a sleep study after the High Holidays. • Shabbat shalom.
