Jason Borderick Canadian man left without nose, cheek and eye due to lymph node cancer Date of Birth: 01.01.1963 Country: Canada

1. The Battle of Jason Broderick
2. Cancer's Devastation
3. A Tumultuous Journey
4. Surgical Intervention
5. Total Nose Removal
6. Prosthetics and Challenges
7. Public Anxiety and Support
8. Family and Dreams

The Battle of Jason Broderick

Jason Broderick, a 55-year-old Montrealer, has emerged from a relentless battle against cancer as a victor, but at a profound cost. Diagnosed with a nasal cyst in his left nostril, he was given a mere six months to live. However, his arduous fight against lymphoma and sinus cancer spanned a decade.

Cancer's Devastation

During his ten years of treatment, Broderick endured approximately 125 chemotherapy sessions, leaving his face disfigured. He lost his nose, left eye, and part of his cheek, leaving a gaping hole in his visage. Two years ago, he received a facial prosthesis, but it proved too heavy for the adhesive to support, frequently dislodging. Today, Broderick is anxious about leaving his home due to the fear of embarrassment.

A Tumultuous Journey

Reflecting on his traumatic ordeal, the Canadian stated, "I am now in my 10th year of being cancer-free, but it has been a long and difficult road." His initial decision to remove the cyst from his left nostril, which hindered his breathing, led to a devastating prognosis from doctors. Undeterred, Broderick chose to fight rather than succumb to his fate.

Surgical Intervention

Radiation therapy proved ineffective, necessitating surgical intervention. In 2010, Broderick's left nostril was removed, a drastic measure taken as his breathing problems worsened. Skin from his forehead was used to reconstruct the nose, but a new tumor developed on the graft.

Total Nose Removal

In 2012, surgeons opted to remove Broderick's nose entirely, but a subsequent tumor grew within the resulting cavity. Two years later, in 2014, his left cheek and left eye were removed in an attempt to eradicate the cancer. A 12-hour surgery ensued, covering the affected area of his face with a skin graft harvested from his left thigh. "Currently, I am still in recovery, living with a prosthetic and a skin graft from my leg for my cheek and eye," he explained.

Prosthetics and Challenges

Broderick's initial facial prosthesis proved cumbersome, as the adhesive failed to adequately hold it in place. A new prosthesis is currently in development, exploring the possibilities of magnetic or screw retention. "Until such time as the new design is complete, I have an unsightly bandage to cover the hole in my face, which has once again become irritating to my skin," Broderick added. Additionally, he requires dentures, but doctors are "not 100% sure if they can make them stay in" due to his condition.

Public Anxiety and Support

Broderick experiences anxiety in public, as a single glance can send him into a spiral of self-consciousness and social avoidance. However, he has also encountered kindness, empathy, and understanding along the way. He is currently fundraising for a hair transplant, having lost his hair due to debilitating radiation and brachytherapy, procedures not covered under Canada's healthcare system. "Unfortunately, the hair transplant is too expensive for me to afford," Broderick lamented.

Family and Dreams

Father to a 21-year-old son named Sebastian, Broderick is also fundraising to fulfill a lifelong dream of taking his family to Hawaii, a trip previously postponed due to fears of infection exacerbating his condition.