Personal message

Hello, my name is Annamarie Smale. I am Thomas's wife. Thomas is a well-maintained, well-spoken young man from Brentwood Park, Benoni, who loves life and enjoys gymming and keeping fit.

Thomas, aged 34, developed an abscess in his mouth on the 22nd of August. An X-ray was taken, revealing severe jaw cavitation. Dr. Thomas Johnston, a Specialist Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon, requested a 3D scan to assess the extent of the cavitation. The cavitation is quite severe, and Thomas needs to undergo a biopsy to determine if it is Ischemic Bone or Chronic Ischemic Jawbone Disease.

This is often diagnosed as areas of abnormal bone, such as Fatty Degenerative Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. Chronic ischemic bone disease is a term used to describe a disease process involving pathological changes in bone tissue related to impaired blood flow (ischemia).

In the jawbones, these pathological changes are usually triggered by systemic and oral factors. As soon as we have the results of what is in the cavitation, we will proceed to the final operation to remove the wisdom teeth and reconstruct his jaw, closing the cavitation with titanium plates and reinforcing the jaw, as it is less than a millimetre thick. The results came back, indicating a large tumour within the jaw cavitation.

We have to operate as soon as possible. The surgery will be done in three stages:

Stage One: Remove the left side of the lower jaw, including the tumor inside the hole in the jaw. They will also remove all the teeth on the bottom left side of the jaw up to the front. A titanium plate will be built to replace the removed jaw. There will be a 2-week recovery period for this operation.

Stage Two (3 Months Later): The titanium plate will be removed, and a bone graft from the hip will be used to replace the titanium plate. There will be a recovery period of 3 weeks for this operation.

Stage Three (4 Months Later): After the jaw has healed, they will perform teeth replacements for the left side of his lower jaw. Pins will be placed in the jaw, and screw-in teeth will be provided. A total of seven teeth will have to be replaced with screw-in ones. I am appealing to supporters to assist as we do not have the funds for this operation. This is a life-threatening situation and could cause permanent damage to his face if the operation is not done.

All funds raised will support this operation and the recovery process for Thomas. I am requesting BackaBuddy to help me raise funds because we cannot afford to have the procedure done financially, as the costs involved are significant. Reaching the target for the procedure will greatly impact Thomas's life, as he is in terrible pain at the moment with recurring infections from the tumor in the jaw cavitation.

Fundraising target: R 80,000.00