Save Bobbie’s Smile

Hello, my name is Bobbie Phillips and I am 25 years old. At the age of 23, in 2020, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkins Lymphoma the day before Christmas. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is lymph node cancer, also in your immune system. Not only was I diagnosed with cancer right before Christmas, but I was diagnosed during a huge virus outbreak. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe that I had cancer, it didn’t feel real. Unfortunately, I had to undergo chemotherapy which put a huge toll on me, but didn’t stop me. I kept pushing and pushing to make it though as much as I could. This all started when I was working at a liquor store, constantly lifting heavy boxes and I thought I pulled a muscle in my neck due to swelling in my neck area. I ignored the swelling and it ended up going back down to normal. About a month after that, the swelling came back but differently; it was more of a ball shape in my neck. I waited about a week to see if the swelling would go back down like last time, but it didn’t. It started to cause me pain. I decided to take myself to the emergency room where they completed some blood work and a cat scan on my neck. Within two hours I was being told that I’m showing signs on lymphoma. I then was transported to Baystate, where they completed a biopsy on one of the lymph node’s in my neck. Two weeks later, I was properly diagnosed. It broke me. I was shattered. Within the next month, I had my port put in and immediately started chemotherapy, which I was alone for. Yes, I had my family and friends on the sidelines, but due to covid, I couldn’t have anyone with me during my appointments or anything. It was very traumatic. Due to having to undergo chemotherapy, it ended up ruining my teeth. My teeth are slowing falling apart and losing all of their strength. Unfortunately, this is something that can happen with taking chemo medication. Unfortunately, it’s happening to me. I recently went to a dentist to see what I can do, and I was told that there is no saving them and the chemo ruined them. My dentist is having me get my teeth removed and suggesting getting implants, which my insurance does not cover. I’m on here today, requesting help to save my smile and let me feel beautiful. This journey has been super difficult but has made me stronger in so many ways. I can’t lose what makes me feel beautiful.

(the picture is during chemo before the damage to my teeth started showing)