A New Jersey father is recovering after a freak accident in his yard left him with a large tree branch impaled through his jaw and into his brain. Troy Hathaway, 45, fell approximately eight feet from a ladder while trimming branches at his Glassboro home.
He initially believed he had only broken his jaw, reporting no loss of consciousness or significant pain beyond a bruised ego. However, X-rays later revealed that a substantial piece of tree branch had passed through his cheek, into his nasal cavity, and extended into his brain.
Doctors at Jefferson Health determined that a specialized approach was necessary. Neurosurgeon Chris Farrell explained that the team opted to remove the branch through Hathaway's nose, a technique similar to those used for brain tumor removal, to avoid opening his skull. The lengthy procedure took four hours.
The branch, which fortunately did not damage vital tissues, was meticulously extracted without causing additional bleeding or damage. Hathaway was discharged from the hospital with only a few stitches, some bruising, and a prescription for antibiotics. He has reported no lasting issues with his sight and no infections.
Hathaway expressed his disbelief and gratitude for surviving the potentially fatal incident, noting the