Help Miranda Get Her Smile Back

On June 1, 2001 Miranda was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, 3 days after her 14th birthday. Treatment for this included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation from her abdomen to her nose. As a result of the combined treatment (mainly the radiation), her teeth are decaying at an alarming rate. They have been falling apart and create difficulties eating and living. Miranda currently has a team of prosthodontists, endodontists, and an oral surgeon working together to replace the teeth beyond saving and attempting to save what they can. Miranda will need at least 14 implants and multiple surgeries.

At this point, she has already had nine teeth removed, multiple bone grafts, 2 implant surgeries on the lower left and upper right quadrants, and one set of teeth in the lower left quadrant. She still needs to have more teeth removed, at least 2 more implant surgeries, and at least 3 more sets of teeth. The money will go to the remaining surgeries, implants, and any supplemental work that will need to be done in between. Our dental insurance does not cover the cost of these needed surgeries and procedures; moreover, the hospital where Miranda received her radiation purged the records and without them medical insurance will not cover the costs. Miranda and I are both teachers, blessed with two children, so our funds are not adequate to cover these expenses out of pocket.

This process started at the end of 2019 and is anticipated to take a couple more years, considering Miranda’s slow healing rate. Due to the radiation, it is taking longer than normal for Miranda's gums to heal. There are other risk factors involved, which is why we needed a specialist; however, we are lucky there have been no complications so far. We are all looking forward to Miranda being able to eat normally and having a full smile again.