HELP MARISA'S HEART: EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE

Hello, My name is Marisa Overheu and I started this GoFundMe for help with some of the costs of my cardiac-related urgent dental care, which is the extractions 18 teeth (both healthy & damaged), then dentures.

I was born 2 months prematurely, having TETRALOGY OF FALLOT, a rare heart condition caused by a combination of FOUR HEART DEFECTS- 1.) Ventricular Septal Defect 2.) Overriding Aorta 3.) Pulmonary Stenosis 4.) Right Ventricular Hypertrophy, that are all presented at birth. I have had 2 open-heart surgeries, 1st at age 1, 2nd at age 2. Tetralogy of Fallot defects cause oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and into the rest of the body.

Having Congenital Heart Disease, I am at HIGH-RISK for contracting Infective Endocarditis, which is a bacterial infection of the inner heart. If untreated, it is ALWAYS FATAL. Having said that, I have been experiencing symptoms of endocrinitis recently and am in dire need of emergency dental care at this time.

My dental services will be broken into 10 visits. The first visit will be the extractions of 18 erupted teeth along with bone removal, costing is $2,140 with Medicaid covering only 3 extractions. I will still need an additional $2,000 for the remaining services BUT I am focused only on the 1st visit, getting the all teeth extracted as soon as possible to prevent any further bacterial infections. Unfortunately, I have been unemployed for 5 years due to heart, back, and mental health disabilities. I do not receive Social Security disability benefits. I am currently at the beginning process of my Appeals which will last another year and my only form of insurance is Louisiana Medicaid, which only covers 3 extractions.

This is a scary and emotional time for me. Continously stressed and worried about my heart, the infection, my life. Ive already had 4 Epidural Steroid Injections for my back & hip this year.

Helping me as I go through this emergency will change my life in so many ways. To be alive, not a fatality, due to the infection, is a blessing. I will be in better health, both physical & mental health, I will feel more confident with myself both inside and out. I'm not even worried that I will be walking around with no teeth for 3 months for healing, then dentures. To be in society once again meeting people, fundraising for others with disabilities, socialize, church, local events, all gives me joy and happiness.

Thank you so kindly for taking your time reading my story today. I hope you can help make a difference for this emergency. I also ask if you could share my story to others. Sharing is caring.

Sincerely,

Marisa Lorraine Overheu

Emergency Services will be done with Dr. Emilie Schenck, at Affordable Smiles of Mandeville- 1002 hwy 59 - Mandeville, LA 70448 (985) [phone redacted].