Oz Fox in the early days of Stryper (from his Facebook page)
Blabbermouth | TRYPER guitarist Oz Fox will likely have to undergo several medical procedures to shrink the tumors that were discovered after his on-stage seizure more than a year ago.
According to Oz’s wife, Annie Lobért, the tumor behind the ear has grown from 2.2 by 1.7 centimeters on August 12, 2018 to 2.7 by 1.7 centimeters on July 23, 2019. Fox’s doctor has recommended radiation as soon as possible because if the tumor grows to three centimeters, it will be no longer able to be treated with radiation. If the tumor grows beyond three centimeters, an operation to remove it will cause facial palsy (part of Oz’s face will appear to droop) and it will be a tough and risky surgery to recover from. The radiation side effects will give Oz permanent hearing loss completely in one ear and possibly facial palsy. There is also a tiny risk the tumor will grow from radiation. But if the tumor isn’t dealt with, it will continue to grow and cause hearing loss, balance, vision and spinal problems.
As for the tumor in the back of Oz’s brain, it has grown from 27.77 millimeters by 30.53 millimeters on August 12, 2018 to 35.1 by 33.8 millimeters on July 23, 2019. That tumor is in the area where left side of his arms, hands and body operate. The risk to remove it will affect the upper left motor function and potential ability to recognize faces, objects. This tumor cannot be treated by radiation alone, like the first one. Oz will first undergo a biopsy to find out what kind of tumor it is. If surgery looks like the only option, Oz will then undergo a combination of chemotherapy and radiation to stop the growth.
Fox shared Lobért’s update on his medical status in a Facebook post on Friday (August 23). In an accompanying message, he wrote: “First of all, I would like to say thank you for all of the prayers and continued support. I couldn’t think of having this journey without all of you in my life.
“Today the report from the doctor was a little less than I expected. But whatever! I truly, truly believe that God has a plan for all of this. He has come through for me so many times in my life.
“I’m not going to worry about this at all. But I have to face facts. I’m not getting any younger. I have to start thinking about what to do with my time and better manage it.
Read the full article here:
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/Stryper-guitarist-oz-foxs-tumors-have-grown-i-truly-truly-believe-that-god-has-a-plan-for-all-of-this/