Caitlin’s Surgery

Todd Siwik is a valued member of our Atlantic Outboard/Portland Boat Works team. His wife, Caitlin, needs our help. Please read her story below, and we ask that you consider donating to help Todd and Caitlin through this difficult journey.

My name is Caitlin. For all my life, I have lived with a rapidly progressive, rare degenerative bone disease called Idiopathic Condylar Resorption (ICR) of the Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs). As a result of this condition's progression since I was around 7 years old, I have lost the basic functioning of my jaw as well as all qualities of life. I have undergone two prior corrective jaw surgeries, which the nature of the revisions has resulted in my joints resorbing away, creating a non-functional bite, significant facial deformity, and difficulty eating/chewing. This has impacted my daily function, as well as my psychological status, given the amount of pain and impact on the facial form that I am currently living with.

It has affected every single aspect of my life (work, sleep, relationships, friendships, etc.)

• A 4.4mm sized airway (smaller than a straw hole) decreasing by the day, causing significant breathing issues

• A severely uneven bite, only one tooth making contact when I bite down

• The inability to chew solid foods (being limited to soft foods)

• Daily changing nerve, joint, and muscle pain in my jaw's condyle bones which have completely degenerated

• Emotional distress from losing basic functionality (ability to eat, speak properly, sleep, breathe easily, etc.), multiple reconstructive surgeries and watching this disease alter my face, through asymmetrical joint degeneration and recession of my lower jaw

THE TREATMENT PLAN:

The only treatment permanent option is Total Joint

Replacement (TJR), combined with extensive surgery of my upper jaw, and continued orthodontics.

Due to the specialty of this surgery, I am forced to travel outside my home area. After years of research and other consultations, I was able to find a surgeon in Oklahoma City, OK, who has the expertise to effectively restore full functionality through the following treatment plan:

• Bilateral Total TMJ Joint Replacements (to remove diseased jawbone and enclose the prosthetics with fat to prevent bone from regrowing)

• Lefort I Maxillary Osteotomy with Bone Graft (in which my upper jaw will be cut into multiple sections to expand and fix my jaw's asymmetry and improper rotation)

• Coronoidectomy (in which the coronoid bone in my lower jaw is removed to restore the right side of my face to its original height, making it symmetrical with my left, and creating an even bite)

Surgery is anticipated to occur in 2023 and the date will be confirmed following the completed production of the prosthetics.

THE COSTS:

My insurance plan is covering the hospital portion of the surgery, however, I am responsible up front for the $71,995 in surgeon fees, including $30,000 of that being a non-refundable deposit needed to begin the joint fabrication. The jaw takes between 3-6 months to fabricate. We have reached out to the State of Connecticut Insurance Commission and there is no way to make insurance cover any more of the costs. Given the very high out-of-pocket costs we are incurring upfront, we are reaching out for help in covering a portion of the following expenses:

• Surgeon and orthodontist fees

• Cost of custom TMJ prosthetics

• Travel fees and accommodations (surgery requires a one-month stay in Oklahoma City for routine follow-up appointments)

My husband and I have exhausted all of our options, including emptying our 401ks and taking out any loans we can get. This is what we need that's leftover.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Support through sharing my story

• Help with surgical, orthodontic, and travel

expenses

For any questions, you may contact my surgeon's office directly below:

Profiles OFS

Dr. Steven N. Sullivan

1000 N. Lincoln Blvd #2000

Oklahoma City, OK. 73104

#405-271-4955

To everyone who's taken the time to read my story - 1 thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Updates will be provided as my journey moves forward.