Modern Dorcas -Denise Beatty

Denise Beatty lives with her husband James in North Idaho where they are both passionately involved with ministry in both their local church and community. She has been helping people learn to take better care of their families by teaching them vegetarian food preparation, home environmental cleanliness, sewing, homeschool education techniques and home remedy skills. Denise has found serving others, as a modern day Dorcas, is a way she can give back the love and providence the Lord has given her over the years. She has used the trauma she experienced as a teenager to look for others’ needs and has served the Lord in any way she can. Denise has also worked as a dental/medical assistant as well as a interior designer through the years. She raised three children, who now work in medical fields.

The trauma Denise experienced, was to the jaw which has led to seven serious surgeries throughout the past 38 years, to improve function and alleviate the pain she’s experienced. Each surgery has been a little more progressive, as her condition has consisted of bilateral total joint reconstruction. Currently the joints are failing which has developed into a life-threatening condition. In addition, the bouts of severe pain are becoming more frequent and intense with additional symptoms presenting debilitating health concerns. At this point she has no option but to have more surgeries performed. Though the stress has been overwhelming at times throughout this past year, Denise has consulted with multiple oral surgeons and dental schools around the country, including the Mayo Clinic, to find someone with the necessary expertise, to work with her TMJ reconstructive complications. The jaw has the most complex joint of the human body.  Finally, in October 2015, Denise exhausted the last of her IRA funds to get to an in-person consultation appointment with a world renowned oral maxillofacial surgeon who is based in Texas, and is interested in her care. He has successfully performed 1060 similar operations for his patients, worldwide. During this evaluation, the surgeon informed Denise her condition is more severe than she had realized. His assessment is that she must have two operations right away; due to the high risk of further destruction of her jaw/mandible, death may result, should these failing devices slip. In faith, she agreed to schedule the appointment for the first surgery on 4 November 2015. Someone has already made an anonymous donation to fly her and James to and from that first surgery; they’re still needing accommodations, a means of transportation, and food.

The first operation, on 4 November, will last about 3-4 hours, to remove the failing devices and cement plastic blocks into her jaws to hold them in position and is estimated to cost approximately $10,000. While Denise awaits the second surgery, there will be 8-10 weeks to allow some healing to her jaw and time for the specialized construction of the new prosthesis’. The second surgery, to replace the failing devices, will last another 4-5 hours and is estimated to be another $30,000. Although Denise and her husband, James, have insurance that will cover 80% of the medical costs, excluding doctors’ fees. The remaining patient portion is more than what they can afford. However, as the specialist indicated there isn’t time to wait to save up the money required for the operations…as her condition is just too risky for life.

Since there aren’t any advanced medical interventions as needed, in this crisis, throughout the state of Idaho, travel to Texas for these medical appointments is imminent. Denise will need to return to Texas several times over the next few weeks/months for follow up with the specialist. She will need to have additional funds available above the $40,000 cost of the surgeries, for travel (flights/car rentals), lodging, prescribed medication, lost income for her husband (as he accompanies her to some of these medical appointments), and rehabilitation treatments.

Please consider what the Lord can do financially and prayerfully through you, to help Denise get the medical care she needs. Your earnest prayers are coveted by both Denise and James in petitioning the Lord to walk with them as they endure this trial in life, that the surgeries be without additional complications and that healing is speedy. Any size gift would be most appreciated, as we know the Lord can multiply our portions into mountains of blessings.

Lastly, please check back and watch how good the Lord is to care for His people as Denise claims the promise in Jeremiah 29:11-12 “For I know the thoughts I have toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Denise feels very strongly “the Lord isn’t finished with me yet” as she seeks to continue her life quest to serve the Lord by serving those who are in need. Thank you, in advance, for your support and love of Denise and James Beatty. May God richly bless you.