Dearest Friends & Loved Ones:
Our triplet daughter, Tonya, had no choice but to undergo another total jaw replacement surgery on March 2, 2009. This was Tonya’s 7th jaw surgery. Dr. Day, a Maxial Facial Surgeon, one of five surgeons who performs this type of surgery in the world, attempted to pin and put a plate in her left jaw to hold it in place in June of 2008. That surgery failed. The only option was to replace her left jaw with the same titanium parts that he earlier surgically placed in her right jaw in 2006.
Tonya does have health insurance, but no pre-existing condition is covered. The costs have been astronomical and we are still paying for previous surgeries. I am going to do one more raffle. Our friend, Betty Lester, gave me a beautiful “Irish Chain” quilt top to do for the raffle. My little sister, Suzy, put cute borders on it and I quilted it. My friend, Charlene McCutcheon donated a framed quote surrounded by flowers she got in my garden to match the quilt. Also, I have an awesome piece of art done by our friend, Kim Trickey and a hand quilted baby quilt I made for the raffle. So there will be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner!
A brief history of Tonya's jaw:
Tonya wrecked on her bike and cut her chin open when she was 10 years old. The doctor stitched her chin up, but there was extensive damage done to the growth plates in her jaws - not detected at the time.
Eleven years later, she underwent her first jaw surgery on January 11, 2001, while she was serving a mission in Salt Lake City. The surgeon cut the condyle - the head of the jaw needed for the movement of the jaw – off her right jaw and that just made matters worse. At this time he went in on the left side also. August 16, 2001, while still on her mission, this same surgeon went in again on the right side.
In 2006, Dr. Day analyzed the surgeries done in 2001, not understanding what had been done to either jaw. He informed us that at this point, the only solution was total jaw replacement on her right side, which he performed on November 27, 2006. A follow up surgery was necessary on October 15, 2007, to relieve her locked jaw due to the extensive scar tissue.
Her 5th surgery was on April 3, 2008, an attempt to repair her degenerating left jaw. The 6th surgery on June 2, 2008, was a second attempt by Dr. Day to secure the condyle and disc in her left jaw with screws. Both these surgeries were unsuccessful because of the earlier extensive damage.
Tonya had one option left. She required total replacement of her left jaw in order to be able to talk and eat normally. Tonya is still blending all her food and drinks a lot of protein drinks with her fruits & veggies, but her healing this time around has been astounding. (Thanks to everyone’s fasting and prayers!)
The drawing will be held on December 21st. If you are interested in this raffle, the tickets are 1 for $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. If you are the winner, you will be contacted right away. If I cannot hand deliver your prize, I will mail it to you immediately!
Please continue to keep Tonya in your thoughts and prayers and thanks!
Todd & Julie Bosen
P. O. Box 1087
Eagar, Arizona 85925
We all know Tonya, and we all know what a kind person she is. However, I don't think very many of us understand the pain Tonya has been in over the past few years. Honestly... I don't think we want to.
I wasn't asked to post this here, and I'm not trying to make anyone buy raffle tickets. I'm simply posting this to remind you to look around... And be thankful!
HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING!!
1 comment:
Amen, and thank you. You are so sweet. I have been feeling all that too. And I also feel bad for Tonya. She is a sweet person. Glad you are feeling a little better. Have a happy thanksgiving girl!!
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