Implant-assisted dentures and electric wheelchair.
Donation protected
The Basics: Hello, my name is Lori and I have lupus, Sjögren's, hypothyroidism, and a few other things. I'm disabled and use a walker at home but need a wheelchair to leave the apartment. My only income is Medicare, I get no other assistance. A few years ago I did a GoFundMe fundraiser and got enough to get the first part of the dental work/oral surgery started with removal of all teeth, which was to be followed with implant-assisted dentures. Back then I was traveling 5 hours round trip with 3 hours in the dental chair at SIU dental school. They offered the best price and I had a friend who I paid to take me there and push my wheelchair. I'm unable to wheel myself thanks to hand and arm/shoulder pain. My father became ill and I lost him to cancer quite quickly. I lost my mother a few years prior. He left me some money in his will which would have helped cover the final surgery costs but his executor (new wife) decided she wanted to keep it herself, even though she knew it was for the surgery. Quite possibly the coldest woman I've ever met. Yes, it's legal for the executor to keep the money in IL, according to her attorney, who I believe was her son-in-law. I had no means to fight her, and never saw my Dad's final gift.
Lupus doesn't respond well to stress, and I've ended up in the hospital several times since then, including 4 months inpatient rehab learning how to walk again. A couple of months ago I had to have my gallbladder removed. Needless to say I've been unable to finish this desperately needed dental work. Sjögren's causes severe dry mouth which destroyed my previously very nice teeth. Regular dentures are useless because you need moisture in your mouth to keep dentures in. Implant-assisted dentures are a cross between dental implants and dentures, and hook into the bone itself. Straight dental implants are much more expensive than implant-assisted dentures. And this is why I'm asking for help.
Teeth are necessary for healthy eating and health in general. They are also vital for self-esteem, at least mine. I rarely smile without covering my mouth and am not comfortable being in public without embarrassment. Between that and being unable to wheel myself around, I don't go anywhere except for doctor visits. Imagine the change, from working all of your life and being outgoing, to rarely leaving home. It's also caused a bit of a phobia and anxiety when I have to go out. As to healthy eating, I despise cooked veggies but love salads, always have. Since my gallbladder was removed my body has an even harder time processing fats, and it's making my life, which already has daily pain, even more uncomfortable. So I've decided that I must try to get this finished.
Plans: I haven't chosen a DMD yet to do the surgery but will be checking locally and in Springfield, 30 miles away. Why haven't I? Because I won't be able to finish it without the funds to pay for it. If I get enough response to this plea for help I'll make the appointment, I'm just having a difficult time trusting lately. At minimum it'll cost $10K, probably more like $12.5K. If my home health agency is able to help, I won't have to pay extra and find someone to drive me. I am only allowed 4 hrs/wk help at present, which covers the cleaning and shopping, laundry, etc. My friend who helped before just had back surgery and isn't available.
My fears? That the dentist will say the jaw bones have deteriorated too much and will need bone grafting first. Teeth aren't just for chewing, and implants help prevent bone loss in the jaw. I'm afraid if I see the dentist and it looks like it'll work out, that the money won't be there to finish it. Medicare income means that I make less than minimum wage, yet still pay $250/mo for Medicare insurance and Rx insurance. After Medicare pays a medical bill, I still have a portion to pay, including meds. This is on top of basic monthly expenses. It's not a life for the faint of heart.
Yes, I also mentioned needing an electric wheelchair. It needs to be heavy duty because I'm not a small woman. That jacks up the price quite a bit, and my portion after Medicare was in no way feasible with my income. But I've got to be able to leave my apartment by myself, because I can't stand it anymore. I refuse to live my life doing nothing more than reading and occasionally watching TV! But nothing will happen with the chair until I have enough to pay for the dental work. And no, Medicare pays nothing for dental work. Apparently the disabled and elderly don't need teeth or the ability to eat healthy, fresh food. Yes, that makes me extremely angry. Sjögren's, a medical condition, caused this, yet they claim it's dental care, so they don't have to pay. Jaw bones, it seems, are part of your teeth by their definition.
I'm sorry this is so long, but it's not easy for me to put words together sometimes, so I over-explain. It's also difficult to ask for help, but I'm going to try and be hopeful. Thank you for reading my story, and if you can help it would be greatly appreciated. If you would share my story, that would be wonderful. Take care.
#lupuswarrior
#lupusawareness
Organizer
Lori Hill
Organizer
Lincoln, IL