Anastasia Helen Geradts All-On-4 Dental Implants

As many of you know I was in a horrific cat accident that forever changed my life. What you probably don’t know is the extent of my injuries and most importantly immediate need for All-On-4 Dental Implants. My dental insurance benefit is only $1,000

How did it happen? I was on my way home from work when a woman going about 57 MPH (in a 35 MPH zone) ran a stop sign and T-boned my car on the passenger side, where I was immediately pushed into the oncoming traffic where I was hit head-on by another car doing about 55 MPH. The accident recreation specialist, hired by my attorney, said that the kinetic energy my body absorbed was equal to being dropped from a 12-story building.

It took the EMTs 57 minutes to cut me out of my car with the Jaws-Of-Life, where I flat-lined and the EMT were able to restart my heart with a portable device.

Upon arriving at PeaceHealth Southwest Washington emergency room I flat-lined again. The Trauma Team doctors initial assessment was that I wouldn’t survive. The next 24 hours were critical because I had lost about 35% of my blood,

My initial injuries were:

• Hypovolemic Shock Class 3: loss of 30% to 40% blood volume; between 1500 to 2000 ml. Transfusion is 1 pint per 4 hours. Initial transfusions to stabilize heart and all other internal organs would take about 20 hours for 8 pints.

• 96 broken bones

• both lungs were collapsed

• acute metabolic acidosis, which is caused from internal organs shutting down

• traumatic brain injury

• trigeminal nerve disorder, from left side face being cut open

• left ear laceration

• left side of face laid open from skull to neck with glass & debris imbedded

• both legs upper & lower severely fractured

• left ankle and foot multiple fractures, from being crushed with car metal

• right shoulder & upper arm severe complex fractures

• left jaw & orbital area multiple complex fractures

• teeth knocked loose from broken jaw and fractured face

Before I could have the transfusions, the Trauma Team had to place an Inferior Vena Cava IVC Filter in the Inferior Vena Cava vein so that blood clots wouldn’t get into my lungs, heart or brain. Once the IVC filter was in place they could start the transfusions and the 8 surgeries over the next 5 days. Those 8 surgeries placed into my body:

• IVC Filter

• Jaw - Left

o 1 Plate

o 3 Clamps

o 6 Screws

• Eye Socket – Left

o 6 Clamps

o 1 Screw

• Shoulder & Upper Arm – Right

o 1 Plate

o 14 Screws

• Hip – Left

o 2 Clamps

• Upper Leg – Left

o 1 Titanium Rod

o 2 Clamps

o 3 Screws

• Upper Leg – Right

o 1 Plate

o 1 Clamp

o 11 Screws

• Lower Leg – Left

o 1 Titanium Rod

o 4 Plates

o 2 Clamps

o 10 Screws

• Lower Leg – Right

o 1 Titanium Rod

o 2 Plates

o 10 Screws

• Ankle – Left

o 5 Screws

• TOTAL

o 3 Titanium Rods

o 9 Plates

o 16 Clamps

o 60 Screws

I was in the Trauma ICU Unit for 9 weeks and then another 3 weeks in ICU for a total of 12 weeks in the hospital. I transferred to a Care Facility for another 2 months, and then to an Assisted Living for another 3 months. Other than the initial 8 surgeries I had in the 6 days after the accident I’ve had 2 more. Surgery 9 was to remove the plate in my jaw because the bone didn’t hold the screws which caused the plate fail & break through the gum. Surgery 10 was to remove 1 plate and 4 screws from my left leg that was impeding my Lymph system.

My dental is at a critical stage that came on very quickly. The dentist said that because of trauma to the jaw, where the nerves and roots are so damaged, that it takes a while before the teeth start falling out. I’ve lost 3 teeth on my upper jaw within the last 2 months and I’m about to lose another 2. The dental is going to do an All On 4. This is where 4 posts are implanted into the bone and a full arch implant is placed.

After 7 months in the medical facilities, constant physical therapy, monthly doctor visits and medication my medical bills were almost $1 million dollars. I’m in desperate need of money so that I can get the implants before I don’t have any teeth remaining to eat with. Each day is a struggle and so very painful, but I'm grateful to be alive.

I’m so grateful to the Doctors, care givers, family and friends who’ve helped.

Thank you for your support and God Bless.

Anastasia Helen Geradts