Urgent dental care needed: Erica’s story.

51 year old Stage IV Breast Cancer survivor seeking assistance with dental treatment. In April, 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Adenocarcinoma and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. The cancer spread to my lymph nodes, my lower spine (I now have arthritis in my lower back), and I also had nodules on my liver.

During my course of treatment, I had 16 rounds of chemotherapy (12 rounds of “red devil” and 4 rounds of “taxol”). After my treatments, I had a double mastectomy. AltHouthi the cancer was located in the left breast, I chose to remove both which was a great choice. My right breast was biopsied after my surgery and showed new cancer cells growing rapidly. Had I chose to only remove the left, I would have had to endure another surgery. #butGod After healing from my surgery, I did 30 rounds of radiation. Before and during my treatments, I underwent several CT Scans, MRIs, PET Scans, bone and body scans.

To say I've gone thru a lot is an understatement. Yet, I won’t complain. Not once have I asked, “Why me?” Rather……. “Why NOT me?” What makes me better than anyone else? I know in my heart that God has a calling on my life and throughout this process, I’ve learned my purpose in life. God has been better than good to me. My motto while going thru this was, I’ll beat this; on this side! This simply means I planned and DID defeat cancer while here on earth, not over in glory. I was determined to!

I write this with humbleness in my heart. I am currently dealing with toothaches daily due to the chemotherapy and radiation weakening the enamel on all my teeth. My teeth are sensitive and brittle. I don’t have one good tooth. They all have holes in them or they are breaking off when I chew. My insurance doesn’t cover dental but I need the teeth removed as soon as possible. The pain causes my blood pressure to elevate, the infection causes more pain and now my face is starting to swell from the infection.

I am here to ask for help. I have to push pride out the way because this pain is starting to get unbearable. I’ve been told by the dentist that they will have to be removed. These people keep quoting me between $300-$400 a tooth. I’m currently calling around looking for dental schools, hospitals with grants, or a dentist that offers sliding scale that is affordable.

If you feel it in your heart to give, I’d greatly appreciate it. If you cannot afford to give, I appreciate the thought. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

#myjourney #imafighter #cancersucks #breastcancer #cancerwarrior #breastcancerawareness #GodisAble #iwillbeatthis #fightlikeagirl #FightLikeErica #breastcancersurvivor #onthisside