Help Rochelle get reconstructive jaw surgery
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Rochelle Gomez, and in 2012 I was diagnose with Odontogenic Keratocyst in the lower left side of my jaw. This is a rare type of cyst with an aggressive behavior and high reoccurrence rate. This cyst ate away at my jaw bone and killed my wisdom tooth, which is why I had to get it surgically removed that same year.
In 2015 the cyst came back, so I had to get another surgery which caused me to lose my second molar and left me with the high possibility of permanent nerve damage. Thankfully, my surgeon was able to save my nerve, but I had to wear a partial denture to be able to eat on the left side of my mouth.
One year later in 2016, the cyst evolved into a tumor which could’ve become cancerous. This was the 3rd time I had to get surgery, and it would be the biggest one so far. The tumor killed 2 more of my teeth, leaving the lower left side of my jaw completely void of teeth. The tumor destroyed most of the bone in my jaw and left me with permanent nerve damage leaving part of my chin and lip completely numb. The surgeon also had to take part of my bone from my hip to transplant into my jaw along with a metal bar to help keep it’s shape, however, this wasn’t a permanent solution. A year went by, and one of the screws in the metal bar in my jaw came undone, which prompted yet another emergency surgery to add a whole new plate.
For the past 4 years, I’ve been unable to chew on the left side of my jaw due to all my missing teeth, I’ve felt pain only being able to chew on one side, my top left teeth are starting to come down, and all of this has severely affected my mental health and quality of life. As you can see in the photo I posted, the lower left side of my jaw is only held together with a metal bar which makes it extremely vulnerable and fragile. After going to countless doctors and traveling far and wide, I’ve learned that reconstructive surgery is my only option and the only place I can get this done is at UCLA. This surgery will involve taking even more bone from my right leg to place in my jaw and be able to get teeth implants. One of the things I love most in life is running and this surgery will weaken my leg, cause me to be bed ridden for 3 months, and will prevent me from running for over a year. Unfortunately, this solution will take an immense financial toll on both my mom and I and we can’t afford it. Our insurance barely helps and isn’t even accepted by 2 out of the 3 doctors who are going to be working on me, so most of the cost has to come out of our pockets. My doctor emphasized that this procedure is medically necessary or else I will have to face even more problems later in life.
I’ve grown up, from being a teenager to now an adult, having to deal with all these surgeries and health problems and all I want is to be healthy and not have my mom and I be in debt for the rest of our lives over something that is not in my control. We are not lucky enough to be rich or live in a country with universal health care, which is why we need the help. This is my last option and any donations will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
In 2015 the cyst came back, so I had to get another surgery which caused me to lose my second molar and left me with the high possibility of permanent nerve damage. Thankfully, my surgeon was able to save my nerve, but I had to wear a partial denture to be able to eat on the left side of my mouth.
One year later in 2016, the cyst evolved into a tumor which could’ve become cancerous. This was the 3rd time I had to get surgery, and it would be the biggest one so far. The tumor killed 2 more of my teeth, leaving the lower left side of my jaw completely void of teeth. The tumor destroyed most of the bone in my jaw and left me with permanent nerve damage leaving part of my chin and lip completely numb. The surgeon also had to take part of my bone from my hip to transplant into my jaw along with a metal bar to help keep it’s shape, however, this wasn’t a permanent solution. A year went by, and one of the screws in the metal bar in my jaw came undone, which prompted yet another emergency surgery to add a whole new plate.
For the past 4 years, I’ve been unable to chew on the left side of my jaw due to all my missing teeth, I’ve felt pain only being able to chew on one side, my top left teeth are starting to come down, and all of this has severely affected my mental health and quality of life. As you can see in the photo I posted, the lower left side of my jaw is only held together with a metal bar which makes it extremely vulnerable and fragile. After going to countless doctors and traveling far and wide, I’ve learned that reconstructive surgery is my only option and the only place I can get this done is at UCLA. This surgery will involve taking even more bone from my right leg to place in my jaw and be able to get teeth implants. One of the things I love most in life is running and this surgery will weaken my leg, cause me to be bed ridden for 3 months, and will prevent me from running for over a year. Unfortunately, this solution will take an immense financial toll on both my mom and I and we can’t afford it. Our insurance barely helps and isn’t even accepted by 2 out of the 3 doctors who are going to be working on me, so most of the cost has to come out of our pockets. My doctor emphasized that this procedure is medically necessary or else I will have to face even more problems later in life.
I’ve grown up, from being a teenager to now an adult, having to deal with all these surgeries and health problems and all I want is to be healthy and not have my mom and I be in debt for the rest of our lives over something that is not in my control. We are not lucky enough to be rich or live in a country with universal health care, which is why we need the help. This is my last option and any donations will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Organizer
Rochelle Gomez
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA