Help Kaobe Smile Again
This is for Kaobe Schmeer. We are raising money for a post cancer reconstructive surgery that her insurance will not cover. She will not be able to have the surgery until she reaches the funds in full. From the bottom of our hearts we would appreciate you reading just a short part of her story and if you are so inclined please donate. Every little bit helps. I would like to thank you in advance for your caring and generosity. We can't do this without your help! If you personally can't donate please share and spread the word! Thank you all so much!
When Kaobe was 22 years old she was a beautiful, independent, fun loving, outgoing young woman with her whole life ahead of her. Then in October of 2009,
she was diagnosed with Muceopidermoid carcinoma; a salivary gland cancer that spread to left side of her maxillary sinus and the roof of her mouth. It had spread through different parts of her face and on October 26th, 2009 she had invasive surgery to remove her cancer. They removed her maxillary sinus and a bone that was below it under her left eye, including 80% of the roof of her mouth and half of her top gum and teeth.
Kaobe had undergone radiation therapy for 30 sessions 5 days a week. The radiation made her sick and weak, and burned her lips, tongue, and the entire inside of her mouth. Not to mention after that she acquired an infection in her neck from the surgery and was hospitalized and septic.
The pain was unbearable and she was perscribed large amounts of pinkillers, making daily tasks hard if not impossible to complete. She then lost her position managing her salon. Between that and her drastic change in appearance she was sent into bouts of depression. The struggle was far from over.
In March of 2015 more complications arose. Kaobe had to have the rest of her teeth pulled due to the radiation she had recieved. On a positive note some reconstruction would be done in the same surgery to repair the roof of her mouth, and rebuild her gum. In doing so the doctors took bone and skin from her left forearm and nerves and blood vessels from her neck.
And though the surgery was successful, little did she know the outcome would be far from a solution.
This is what brings us to where we are today. Kaobe has the opportunity to finish the reconstructive surgery to bring back some semblance of her former self.
The surgery will involve the shaving down of her gums and the placement of 5 dental implants to support perminent prosthetics.
The money raised will go toward medical and dental procedures not covered by insurance.
This final surgery means everything to her. Not only will the surgery help her confidence in the way she looks but will hopefully bring an end to this journey, and bring about a new life of happiness, and health. To help finally beat the cancer, beat the depression, beat the pain, and finally bring back her smile.
