Chuck Taylor needs Terrific Teeth
Donation protected
For those of you who know Chuck Taylor, it's hard to describe him without using phrases like "larger then life", "amazing performer", or "quite a character". (my daughter summed it rather well recently when, in describing Chuck to a friend, she said "he's sort of a theatrical redneck")
Chuck has been entertaining and charming everyone around him for as long as I have known him. However, his fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for the SECOND time has caused his life to take a much more dramatic turn. In addition to Chuck not being able to maintain a job he loved -- not to mention the typical side affects of chemotherapy like hair loss, fatigue, and depression -- Chuck's yearly visit with his beloved kids had to be postponed indefinetly. The knowledge of his kids not coming caused him to step out into the unfamiliar role of asking for prayers and good vibes for his physical and mental health. This current bout with cancer has been more agressive and has created multiple complications with Chuck's health. The most recent chemotherapy treatments went well, and he was eagerly awaiting the cue for a stem cell transplant, when what seemed like a little toothache jumped in and tried to steal the show!
Becasue of the very serious nature of a stem cell transplant and the rigorous care that must be taken with bone marrow harvesting, there can be NO chance of any infection in the body. The show-stopping tooth needed to be removed and the condition of the mouth very carefully assesed. It was determined that he could not recieve the transplant or begin harvesting stem cells until several root canals, a few fillings, and the repair of several teeth with "compromised enamel" took place. Unfortunately, Chuck's insurance only allows for extractions.
The final goal in this scenario is a succesfull stem cell transplant that will allow him to begin recovering his health, see his kids ASAP, and perform in an opera in October. For this to happen, all of his teeth had to be pulled.
Obviously, this is a drastic, dramatic life change that only implants or dentures can fix. The plot twist is that, though his treatment required the extraction, his insurance does not cover the repair. Chuck responded to this situation with two statements that broke my heart... "How will I ever be able to sing again?" and "I can't skype with my kids until I don't look scary and or homeless."
So, I am making this request on behalf of a man who has played a valiant role in this tradegy, with as much poise and good humor as is humanly possible. Please, if you are able to help, give what you can to help Chuck smile and proudly take a bow once more!
Thank you!
Chuck has been entertaining and charming everyone around him for as long as I have known him. However, his fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for the SECOND time has caused his life to take a much more dramatic turn. In addition to Chuck not being able to maintain a job he loved -- not to mention the typical side affects of chemotherapy like hair loss, fatigue, and depression -- Chuck's yearly visit with his beloved kids had to be postponed indefinetly. The knowledge of his kids not coming caused him to step out into the unfamiliar role of asking for prayers and good vibes for his physical and mental health. This current bout with cancer has been more agressive and has created multiple complications with Chuck's health. The most recent chemotherapy treatments went well, and he was eagerly awaiting the cue for a stem cell transplant, when what seemed like a little toothache jumped in and tried to steal the show!
Becasue of the very serious nature of a stem cell transplant and the rigorous care that must be taken with bone marrow harvesting, there can be NO chance of any infection in the body. The show-stopping tooth needed to be removed and the condition of the mouth very carefully assesed. It was determined that he could not recieve the transplant or begin harvesting stem cells until several root canals, a few fillings, and the repair of several teeth with "compromised enamel" took place. Unfortunately, Chuck's insurance only allows for extractions.
The final goal in this scenario is a succesfull stem cell transplant that will allow him to begin recovering his health, see his kids ASAP, and perform in an opera in October. For this to happen, all of his teeth had to be pulled.
Obviously, this is a drastic, dramatic life change that only implants or dentures can fix. The plot twist is that, though his treatment required the extraction, his insurance does not cover the repair. Chuck responded to this situation with two statements that broke my heart... "How will I ever be able to sing again?" and "I can't skype with my kids until I don't look scary and or homeless."
So, I am making this request on behalf of a man who has played a valiant role in this tradegy, with as much poise and good humor as is humanly possible. Please, if you are able to help, give what you can to help Chuck smile and proudly take a bow once more!
Thank you!
Organizer
Missy Pust Henderson
Organizer
Glendale, AZ
