<div>During this last year, while I was battling breast cancer, our Brian was slowly losing most of his teeth. He never told me, and I didn’t notice because I was in my own little survival mode. Instead he stood by my side, was my emotional caretaker and never mentioned that he was having trouble eating.
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<div>I should have noticed, given that he would only eat ice cream and soft meals. But I didn’t, and that’s my fault. Which guts me.
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<div>He still has a few teeth left, but they will need to be extracted and he’ll need a full set of dentures.
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<div>We will have $1000 from insurance (which will cover some of the extractions) for this, but apparently dentures are not covered by Medicare, or his supplemental insurance. I’ve reached out to Council on Aging, Health and Human Services, Sonoma Community Health Center, and a host of other agencies, but dentures are considered a luxury, even if you have no teeth.
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<div>Brian is the FIRST to help everyone around him, whether they are loved ones, or strangers. If you know him, you know this. I didn’t realize until recently that he stays at home because he’s too ashamed to be seen. And this breaks my heart. He is my rock, and my soulmate. And, I might add, a very handsome man, with or without teeth!
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<div>I know what it’s like to lose confidence and withdraw from the world, and I can’t let this happen to him. Our Brian still has a lot of good years left in him. And sure, he can survive on soft foods. But surviving is not the same as LIVING, and feeling free to go out in public without shame is SO critical to emotional health. I honestly still feel intimidated about going into public places with a bald head and no eyelashes or eyebrows, and no boobs. I look sick, and I’m not anymore. But if feel like I have to say something, which is usually “I’m not sick, I promise…I just am battling cancer.” It’s just so dehumanizing.
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<div>Having no teeth, especially for a very proud man, is the same. I do not want to watch him decline for lack of some stupid teeth.
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<div>Can you tell that I love this man! And want to see him smile again? ❤️
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<div>If you know him, you know that he will pay it forward. And so will I.
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<div>Thanks guys, and please keep us in your prayers if you are so inclined!
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Anonymous

Anne Gault

Tom Clancy

Dave Rose

Karen Scholer

Robyn Grace

Lori Fogarty

GUNNAR SCHOLER

Marnie Sauls

Nate Weiner

John Burns

Laurie Andrews

Mara Kahn

Mallory Family

Help Brian Smile Again: Fund Dentures

Help Brian Smile Again: Fund Dentures

Still $1,345 to go. Help us build momentum.