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This summer, my sister-in-law Ammie went to the dentist with what she thought was an abscess behind her bottom teeth, which was causing her severe pain.
After seeing various specialists, she was diagnosed with a very rare Giant Cell Granuloma cancer in her lower jaw. Because of the severe pain and the need to pursue treatment, she was forced to quit her job.
Ammie was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri on October 19th 2015 for surgery. The only available treatment plan for Ammie was the complete removal of her lower jaw. There was hope that her jaw could be replaced with a metal prosthetic coupled with bone grafts and blood flow provided from veins taken from her leg. Unfortunately, Ammie’s path to recovery was much more tumultuous than expected. Ammie’s initial surgery turned into a life threatening struggle and she needs your help.
The first surgery on October 19th was 14 hours in long and involved 3 specialist surgeons. While initially predicted to be successful, the blood flow to her new jaw was deemed inadequate, which brought Ammie back to the operating table two days later. The operation had to be completely redone using bone and tissue from her other leg, unfortunately rendering Ammie immobile for more than a month. After this second attempt, Ammie developed an extremely aggressive and resistant bacterial infection that caused her tremendous pain and tissue damage, ultimately resulting in bouts of kidney failure. Her doctors responded with four additional surgeries combined with aggressive courses of intravenous antibiotics. As of now, Ammie has spent 48 long days and nights in the hospital enduring a total seven extensive and painful surgeries along her path to recovery. This means that for 48 days she has been bedridden, on a feeding tube, and breathing through a tracheotomy.
During this tragic time, my brother Richard, her husband, has been the sole provider and caretaker for my beautiful 7-year-old niece, Samantha. Not only is he required to work his full shift at work, but he also has to get Samantha to and from school each day and provide for her daily needs, all on his own. Ammie is being cared for in an out-of-state hospital more than two hours from where they reside in Rogers, Arkansas. My brother and Samantha visit Ammie as often as they can, but the trip is taxing in many ways. Being down to one income and having to take many hours of unpaid time off work, incurring extensive hotel stays, eating on the road, and transportation expenses are depleting their bank account and he is worried about future finances.
Despite her family’s hardships, Ammie has remained extremely strong. However, to make matters worse, we were just told today that due to the recurring infection, Ammie will be going in for her 8th surgery tomorrow, December 6th 2015, and they will have to completely remove her prosthetic jaw. If the infection can be overcome, Ammie will be transported to a long-term care facility, also in Springfield, MO. Without the prospect of a prosthetic jaw, Ammie will be severely disfigured, have to remain on a feeding tube, and will require significant medical care for the foreseeable future.
This ordeal has been emotionally draining for the entire family and we are absolutely devastated that the procedure was unsuccessful. This is going to be a much longer struggle than we ever envisioned. I am asking for donations in an effort to help them financially with all their continued travel expenses and loss of income due to Ammie being hospitalized. Your donation would help bring some peace of mind to both Ammie and my brother during this devastating and life-changing turn of events.
Every day I say I wish I could be there or do something to help and I am hoping that this Gofundme page and your contribution will ease some of their burden. We are eternally grateful for your prayers and each donation we receive. Thank you for taking the time to read this and your consideration.
After seeing various specialists, she was diagnosed with a very rare Giant Cell Granuloma cancer in her lower jaw. Because of the severe pain and the need to pursue treatment, she was forced to quit her job.
Ammie was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri on October 19th 2015 for surgery. The only available treatment plan for Ammie was the complete removal of her lower jaw. There was hope that her jaw could be replaced with a metal prosthetic coupled with bone grafts and blood flow provided from veins taken from her leg. Unfortunately, Ammie’s path to recovery was much more tumultuous than expected. Ammie’s initial surgery turned into a life threatening struggle and she needs your help.
The first surgery on October 19th was 14 hours in long and involved 3 specialist surgeons. While initially predicted to be successful, the blood flow to her new jaw was deemed inadequate, which brought Ammie back to the operating table two days later. The operation had to be completely redone using bone and tissue from her other leg, unfortunately rendering Ammie immobile for more than a month. After this second attempt, Ammie developed an extremely aggressive and resistant bacterial infection that caused her tremendous pain and tissue damage, ultimately resulting in bouts of kidney failure. Her doctors responded with four additional surgeries combined with aggressive courses of intravenous antibiotics. As of now, Ammie has spent 48 long days and nights in the hospital enduring a total seven extensive and painful surgeries along her path to recovery. This means that for 48 days she has been bedridden, on a feeding tube, and breathing through a tracheotomy.
During this tragic time, my brother Richard, her husband, has been the sole provider and caretaker for my beautiful 7-year-old niece, Samantha. Not only is he required to work his full shift at work, but he also has to get Samantha to and from school each day and provide for her daily needs, all on his own. Ammie is being cared for in an out-of-state hospital more than two hours from where they reside in Rogers, Arkansas. My brother and Samantha visit Ammie as often as they can, but the trip is taxing in many ways. Being down to one income and having to take many hours of unpaid time off work, incurring extensive hotel stays, eating on the road, and transportation expenses are depleting their bank account and he is worried about future finances.
Despite her family’s hardships, Ammie has remained extremely strong. However, to make matters worse, we were just told today that due to the recurring infection, Ammie will be going in for her 8th surgery tomorrow, December 6th 2015, and they will have to completely remove her prosthetic jaw. If the infection can be overcome, Ammie will be transported to a long-term care facility, also in Springfield, MO. Without the prospect of a prosthetic jaw, Ammie will be severely disfigured, have to remain on a feeding tube, and will require significant medical care for the foreseeable future.
This ordeal has been emotionally draining for the entire family and we are absolutely devastated that the procedure was unsuccessful. This is going to be a much longer struggle than we ever envisioned. I am asking for donations in an effort to help them financially with all their continued travel expenses and loss of income due to Ammie being hospitalized. Your donation would help bring some peace of mind to both Ammie and my brother during this devastating and life-changing turn of events.
Every day I say I wish I could be there or do something to help and I am hoping that this Gofundme page and your contribution will ease some of their burden. We are eternally grateful for your prayers and each donation we receive. Thank you for taking the time to read this and your consideration.