Hope For Viet Nam Veteran
Donation protected
Bob Trezona is a United States Army veteran who proudly served his country during the Viet Nam War. On Thanksgiving Day in 1968, Bob was part of a combat mission when his helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. His helicopter exploded 60' above the ground and crash landed. Bob was trapped in the wreckage for the seconds it took for the fire to ravage his body. After three rescue efforts, he was finally evacuated to Saigon where it was determined he had suffered burns over 65% of his body, two thirds of which were 3rd degree burns primarily to his face, hands and extremities. The crash had also broken his jaw in 14 places and destroyed his mandible joints.
The Army doctors thought he was going to die anyway, so they didn't do anything to fix his jaw, but rather spent their time concentrating on the burns. Bob recalls begging the doctors to fix his jaw because he was in so much pain. But the doctors said that was the least of their worries. They didn't think he would survive the burns. Eventually, Bob underwent 70 surgeries to repair his body, face and nose. Those surgeries did not complete his restoration, because he ended up having a respiratory shut down and they had to put a tracheotomy in so he could breathe. The plastic surgeon eventually said Bob could not handle any more surgeries on his face.
Because of the 14 breaks in his lower jaw, Bob suffered complete ankylosis of temporomandibular joint. In the early 1970's Bob underwent surgery to receive an artificial mandible joint replacement. He was the first person in the United States to receive this surgery which was performed by leading Swiss doctors. Unfortunately, the implant, which was made of teflon, failed within 10 years. The implant dissolved into microscopic fragments and created a biochemical reaction that eroded the jaw bone, creating many other painful complications. All the wires that were left behind ended up in his chin where they still are today.
Bob cannot properly chew or digest his food. He is in constant danger of choking. Standing 6' 2" tall, Bob only weighs 135 pounds.
Read more about Implants in Jaw Joints Fail, Leaving Patients In Pain and Disfigured here and more here Propast-Teflon Jaw Implants and FDA Review .
Years later, the doctors gave Bob a prescription for Fosamax to rebuild bone density. Unfortunately, that also backfired. Fosamax (alendronate) belongs to a drug class called bisphosphonates, which are supposed to boost bone density by slowing the body’s natural process of bone breakdown. But researchers have now found that this drug actually causes bones to weaken and crumble.The Fosamax caused Bob's lower jaw bone density to erode and it is now very fragile and it caused his teeth to abscess and die, so he had to have many of them pulled.
Bob's teeth and jaw have suffered greatly over the years and continue to decline. At this point Bob doesn't have all that many teeth left and is in serious risk of loosing the rest. The most recent visit to the dentist reveals that there is nothing left to do to save Bob's teeth. They must all be pulled. However, with such a fragile jawbone, and due to the ankylosis and the missing mandible joints, he can't open his mouth wide enough for normal dentures. The Veteran's Administration (VA) is unwilling and/or unable to treat Bob. They haven't been all that clear on this point. Requests have been made by Bob and his doctors for the VA to at least help pay for his treatments but the requests have been denied.
Today, Bob has the opportunity to have bone grafts and implants to give him the ability to put dentures in his mouth that are broken down into 6 pieces that will go on the implants in his jaw, but the cost of this treatment is far more than he can afford. I have attached estimates (as images) from the two medical professionals that are willing to complete the needed work. The total cost of the surgeries is estimated to be $62,753.
The thing about Bob is that he never gives up and he never quit. Yes, he was given 100% permanent disability after leaving the Army in 1970 (not that his disability payment is all that much). He still felt the need to contribute to society and provide for his family so he has done all he could to work hard.
More importantly, he is so willing to do so much for other people. Bob is one of the most generous, kind-hearted people I have ever met. He is always going above and beyond to help anyone he meets in any way he can. He has provided jobs, inspiration, training and assistance to many people. He has even given me a job, and I am very thankful. For once, I would love to see people giving to Bob. If he could get this surgery, it would truly turn his life around. You see, right now he cannot properly chew or digest his food. Standing 6' 2" tall, Bob only weighs 135 pounds. With this surgery he would be able to chew properly , he would be able to speak properly and would no longer be in danger of choking.This is a picture of Bob opening his mouth as wide as possible. You can clearly see what's left of his teeth.Bob has an appointment for the first phase of the treatment in May 2016. The first phase is basically pulling what's left of his teeth. After the swelling goes down, they will immediately begin making the implants.
This is a photo of Bob working on a saddle. Notice his hands. I am always amazed at the beautiful work he can create with those deformed hands. Bob doesn't like to have his face shown in pictures because of the burns.
To read some of the fascinating details about Bob's life during and since Viet Nam, see the article written by Perry Backus in the Missoulian Newspaper .
I am so thankful for this opportunity to raise funds for Bob. And I know he will be extremely grateful to finally get his teeth fixed.
The Army doctors thought he was going to die anyway, so they didn't do anything to fix his jaw, but rather spent their time concentrating on the burns. Bob recalls begging the doctors to fix his jaw because he was in so much pain. But the doctors said that was the least of their worries. They didn't think he would survive the burns. Eventually, Bob underwent 70 surgeries to repair his body, face and nose. Those surgeries did not complete his restoration, because he ended up having a respiratory shut down and they had to put a tracheotomy in so he could breathe. The plastic surgeon eventually said Bob could not handle any more surgeries on his face.
Because of the 14 breaks in his lower jaw, Bob suffered complete ankylosis of temporomandibular joint. In the early 1970's Bob underwent surgery to receive an artificial mandible joint replacement. He was the first person in the United States to receive this surgery which was performed by leading Swiss doctors. Unfortunately, the implant, which was made of teflon, failed within 10 years. The implant dissolved into microscopic fragments and created a biochemical reaction that eroded the jaw bone, creating many other painful complications. All the wires that were left behind ended up in his chin where they still are today.
Bob cannot properly chew or digest his food. He is in constant danger of choking. Standing 6' 2" tall, Bob only weighs 135 pounds.
Read more about Implants in Jaw Joints Fail, Leaving Patients In Pain and Disfigured here and more here Propast-Teflon Jaw Implants and FDA Review .
Years later, the doctors gave Bob a prescription for Fosamax to rebuild bone density. Unfortunately, that also backfired. Fosamax (alendronate) belongs to a drug class called bisphosphonates, which are supposed to boost bone density by slowing the body’s natural process of bone breakdown. But researchers have now found that this drug actually causes bones to weaken and crumble.The Fosamax caused Bob's lower jaw bone density to erode and it is now very fragile and it caused his teeth to abscess and die, so he had to have many of them pulled.
Bob's teeth and jaw have suffered greatly over the years and continue to decline. At this point Bob doesn't have all that many teeth left and is in serious risk of loosing the rest. The most recent visit to the dentist reveals that there is nothing left to do to save Bob's teeth. They must all be pulled. However, with such a fragile jawbone, and due to the ankylosis and the missing mandible joints, he can't open his mouth wide enough for normal dentures. The Veteran's Administration (VA) is unwilling and/or unable to treat Bob. They haven't been all that clear on this point. Requests have been made by Bob and his doctors for the VA to at least help pay for his treatments but the requests have been denied.
Today, Bob has the opportunity to have bone grafts and implants to give him the ability to put dentures in his mouth that are broken down into 6 pieces that will go on the implants in his jaw, but the cost of this treatment is far more than he can afford. I have attached estimates (as images) from the two medical professionals that are willing to complete the needed work. The total cost of the surgeries is estimated to be $62,753.
The thing about Bob is that he never gives up and he never quit. Yes, he was given 100% permanent disability after leaving the Army in 1970 (not that his disability payment is all that much). He still felt the need to contribute to society and provide for his family so he has done all he could to work hard.
More importantly, he is so willing to do so much for other people. Bob is one of the most generous, kind-hearted people I have ever met. He is always going above and beyond to help anyone he meets in any way he can. He has provided jobs, inspiration, training and assistance to many people. He has even given me a job, and I am very thankful. For once, I would love to see people giving to Bob. If he could get this surgery, it would truly turn his life around. You see, right now he cannot properly chew or digest his food. Standing 6' 2" tall, Bob only weighs 135 pounds. With this surgery he would be able to chew properly , he would be able to speak properly and would no longer be in danger of choking.This is a picture of Bob opening his mouth as wide as possible. You can clearly see what's left of his teeth.Bob has an appointment for the first phase of the treatment in May 2016. The first phase is basically pulling what's left of his teeth. After the swelling goes down, they will immediately begin making the implants.
This is a photo of Bob working on a saddle. Notice his hands. I am always amazed at the beautiful work he can create with those deformed hands. Bob doesn't like to have his face shown in pictures because of the burns.
To read some of the fascinating details about Bob's life during and since Viet Nam, see the article written by Perry Backus in the Missoulian Newspaper .
I am so thankful for this opportunity to raise funds for Bob. And I know he will be extremely grateful to finally get his teeth fixed.
Organizer and beneficiary
Carrie Smith
Organizer
Hamilton, MT
Bob Trezona
Beneficiary
