Declan Brown's double jaw surgery

Hello - We are Kristin & Chris - the parents of Declan. We are humbly asking for help to raise funds to pay for a portion of Declan's double jaw surgery. Thank you for reading his story!

About a year and a half ago our son had an accident in a swimming pool which required stitches on his chin. That was all taken care of - no problem. Fast forward about 6 months and Declan developed the classic TMJ symptoms of his jaw popping and clicking. His regular dentist recommended a specialist, whom we saw (and is the great dentist at Winter Park Dentistry!). That dentist completed a thorough exam, including 7 MRI images, CAT Scans, as well as impressions and photographs of his bite. Based on those results, he recommended us to Dr. Brian Shah at The Piper Clinic in St. Petersburg Florida.

After 7 more MRIs and other tests, it was determined that, unfortunately, Declan has the worst possible scenario for a growing boy (he's only 13). The discs that sit on his jaw joints are dislocated to the point where he will start to incur excruciating pain if not fixed soon. The worst part of this is that if those discs are not restored to their correct position, Declan's lower jaw will not continue to grow and the airway in his throat will become more and more compressed due to an increasing underbite (which will need to be corrected at a later date). But because Declan is still growing, he may have a chance to catch up and have a normal jaw and windpipe. Also because he is still growing, Dr. Shah has recommended the surgery be done immediately and has scheduled Declan's surgery for May 25, 2023.

After the surgery, there is a 9-month recovery period. Declan will have surgical "buttons" (like braces) adhered to his teeth that will enable his jaw to be banded closed for most of the day to keep a splint in place for 3 solid months. He will only be able to "eat" smoothies and other non-chew foods for several months. The time that the splint is banded into his mouth slowly decreases over the remaining 6 months. During the 9-months post-op he will have to go back to visit the Piper Clinic several times to have additional imaging and appointments to ensure his jaw is healing appropriately.

Because this surgery is considered TMJ surgery, and even though it is medically necessary, it is not covered by insurance. The entire bill needs to be paid 2 weeks before the surgery (May 11, 2023). In addition to the surgery, we are required to be in St Petersburg for a week before, and a week after the surgery, for all of the pre and post-op appointments.

The breakdown of the costs we know so far:

The surgeon's fee: $44,100 (or $46,422 if we pay in another way other than a wire transfer)

Surgical buttons: $3,400 (cash)

Cervical spine care after surgery: $1,750 (cash)

Surgery Center: Fee TBD (estimate $20,000)

Anesthesia: Fee TBD (estimate $3,500)

24-hour nurse care: $1,560

Medication: TBD (estimate $400)

Not included are the extra expenses that have (or will be) incurred:

$975 dental consultation in Winter Park (November 2022)

$571 MRI cost (December 2022)

$2,050 consultation fee with the Piper Clinic (March 2023)

$600 MRI cost (March 2023)

$500+ travel costs to St. Petersburg for the full-day consultation (March 2023)

$4,688 for 2 weeks stay in St Petersburg at a special accommodation for Piper Clinic patients (medical grade cleaning, multiple blenders available, etc.)

$630 to board our puppy for 2 weeks (over a holiday) who can't come with us. :(

Additional costs for supplies, equipment, and additional tests and stays for the doctor's appointments for the 9-month recovery period are not known yet.

All in, we are expecting bills to total more than $84,724. We have drained our savings to pay for the costs already incurred, as well as the deposits required so far. Because the timing is critical, we are humbly asking for help raising this money before May 11th.