Life Saving Dental Restoration for Kelley

Hi, my name is Sallye and I'm fundraising for my niece Kelley Cagle of Holly Springs, Ga. - granddaughter of Bobby "Bud" and Rosalyn Cagle and daughter of Kenny Cagle and Sandi Berry.

Kelley is a fun-loving, free-spirited, and outgoing person. She always has a loving heart.

Back in 2018, Kelley began to get ear infections in her left ear as frequently as 3-4 times that year. Each time, she would go to her local doctor and he would prescribe her antibiotics. In 2019, the ear infections became as frequent as every two months.

In March 2020, Kelley noticed a small lymph node bump on the left side of her neck. She goes back to the doctor and he prescribes her antibiotics. A week has passed and Kelley is not feeling any better. She goes back to the same doctor and he prescribes another type of antibiotic. This went on for 3 separate occasions. Finally, the doctor told Kelley that she will need to go to an ENT to have this bump checked out.

Kelley is really worried because she has no health insurance.

In April 2020, Kelley went to an ENT at Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, Ga. At first glance, the ENT told Kelley, "You have cancer"! Kelley was shocked. The following week, she undergoes a biopsy, which came back positive for small squamous cell cancer.

For the next 3 months, Kelley spent her time researching and making phone calls trying to find someone to help her. She applied at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Ga, and was denied. All the while, the cancerous tumor in her neck is getting larger, harder, and more painful.

Finally, in July 2020, she received a call from Emory University Hospital stating that she was accepted into their Charity Care at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Midtown Atlanta, Ga. The only problem was, by this time, the mass had grown to the size of a larger grapefruit. But still, Kelley was thankful - A CHANCE TO SURVIVE!

In the last week in July 2020, Kelley met about 12 different doctors, specialists, and therapists. Over the next month, she was scheduled for many interviews and tests. The tests confirmed the ENT's diagnosis - small squamous cell carcinoma originating at the base of the tongue and metastasizing over the left side of her neck.

Before surgery, Kelley had to get a dental clearance, since radiation can damage the teeth severely. Kelley had one tooth pulled and no cavities or chips, She was cleared by the cancer dentist and ready for radiation,

Radiation Therapy - 5 days per week - 2.5 months

Chemotherapy - Once per week - 2 months

A Plethora of pain medication for the entirety

Three months after treatment, a PET scan was done to check for any remaining cancer. The radiation had killed 90% of cancer in the neck. The mass had shrunk in size but was still present. Therefore, surgery was needed. No cancer remained behind the base of the tongue.

In October 2020, Kelley underwent a 9-hour operation to remove the remaining cancer from the left side of her neck. This also included the removal of many nerves and lymph nodes. The surgeons also removed the skin from Kelley's left thigh to graft on her neck region. Kelley was in ICU for 7 days, after which Kelley received physical therapy in adapting to walking again and nurses showed her how to measure and empty her drainage bags placed in her neck and thigh. Kelley was then released to go home, returning to the hospital every couple of weeks to remove staples and drainage tubes.

Healing is still occurring for Kelley. She goes to lymphedema therapy, which will be a lifelong affliction for her. She has to have her neck area manually massaged and wears a custom-made brace at night.

After the massive amount of radiation Kelley received, all 27 teeth have cavities and have rotted internally. The only way to save them is to have root canals, crowns, then restore them.

All of Kelley's dentists (oncology, regular, endodontist, and reconstruction) concur that she does not have dental clearance for extractions. The reason behind this is because if a tooth is extracted or falls out, the hole will become infected and sepsis will set in and she can die. Kelley is in severe pain and in desperate need of help with her teeth.

Help save Kelley's life and donate to restore her teeth!!!

If you would rather donate directly to her dentist, please contact me through Facebook

and I will send you the contact information for the dentists.