HOW CHEMO DESTROYED MY TEETH: MY DENTAL NIGHTMARE

In February 2023, my world was rocked by a colon cancer diagnosis. After battling and beating the disease twice, I'm now into my third year of kicking cancer's butt, with no evidence of disease (NED), and a strong prognosis. My baby sister didn't get that outcome, and every day, I thank God I'm still here. However, the fight didn't end with cancer. The life-saving chemotherapy that helped me beat the disease has left a devastating and unforeseen side effect: It has destroyed my teeth.

THE SILENT AFTERMATH: A DENTAL NIGHTMARE

For almost four years now, I've been living with constant chronic pain. What started with inherited gum disease was pushed into a full-blown crisis by chemo. My dentist confirmed that chemotherapy significantly weakens teeth, making them highly susceptible to decay and damage.

I've endured failed root canals, tooth extractions, and the frustration of partial dentures that no longer fit because of ongoing tooth loss. The pain was once an intermittent inconvenience. Lately, I’ve experienced more debilitating bouts of jaw and dental pain.

WHY I NEED YOUR HELP: THE FINANCIAL BURDEN

My dental situation has reached a critical point. My dentist has recommended a full arch restoration for my upper teeth, involving implants to prevent further bone loss and provide stability. This is not about vanity; it's about ending the pain, regaining the ability to eat properly, and putting a stop to this relentless cycle of decay and extraction. However, the cost of this vital treatment is astronomical.

Dental insurance, as many of you know, rarely covers extensive procedures like these. My current insurance won't replace my ill-fitting partials until November of 2027. To date I have sunk well over $13,000 into a failed root canal, multiple extractions, and a set of partial dentures that no longer fit due to ongoing tooth extractions. This is unsustainable. I've already taken out a loan on my car once for dental work. Juggling student loan debt, I simply don't have the funds to cover it.

Ringing the Bell

MY GOAL: A HEALTHIER, PAIN-FREE FUTURE

I'm starting this GoFundMe to raise funds to cover the significant costs of the dental work needed to restore my oral health and, with it, my quality of life. My primary goal is to get enough support to move forward with the full upper and lower arch restoration, or at least enough for crucial implants to anchor partial dentures.

Your donation, no matter how small, will directly contribute to a pain-free smile and allow me to, again, accept speaking engagements, training opportunities, and make presentations that are a core aspect of my coaching and consulting business.

YOU ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my story, for your kindness, and for any support you can offer.