Carmen's Smile

Three years ago this November, my very dear friend and co-worker, Carmen Hottel, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy and shortly thereafter she started a grueling and intensive chemotherapy regime, which took its toll on her body. Carmen lost all of her hair, developed neuropathy in her legs, suffered painful blisters in her eyes and mouth, lost her fingernails and toenails and eventually began to have trouble with her teeth. They became very brittle and began breaking and cracking into pieces. Those of you who know Carmen know what a trooper she is!!! She fought cancer like a champ and she won!! Carmen is one of the hardest working women I know. She continued to work as much possible during the entire ordeal because she has a heart bigger than Dallas and she knew the animals at the vet clinic needed her. I've never seen someone go through so much and manage to maintain such a positive, caring attitude!! Carmen has been working with me in the Equine Dentistry profession for nearly a year now. We spend countless hours together traveling across the country helping horses. She still has good days and bad days but she never complains. I know it's a struggle for her sometimes to eat....she gets frustrated....and she never wants to be photographed because she doesn't want people to see her teeth. What was once a beautiful, bright smile is now just remnants of teeth that are in dire need of repair. I would like your help raising the money Carmen needs to get her teeth fixed. As you know, dental work of any kind is very expensive and insurance won't cover nearly as much as it should. The work she needs is extensive and costly. It will be nearly $10,000 out of pocket. I hate seeing her in constant pain, unable to eat and not wanting to show off her bright smile. Please help me help Carmen get her smile back :). If anyone deserves it SHE DOES!! Carmen has never asked for anything. She always puts everyone else first ...... I would like to pay it forward by giving this a shot and seeing what we can do. If you can help at all, even the smallest amount, please do so!!! Thank you, Edye Lucas