Morgan's Surgery Fund

This time of year most 20-year-olds are thinking about heading back to campus, meeting up with friends, and parties. My 22-year-old daughter, Morgan, is preparing for a life-altering surgery.

Growing up Morgan suffered from a severe underbite and speech difficulties, so we got her braces and speech therapy. In high school she started experiencing severe jaw pain. Initially we thought it was because she was a cheerleader, yelling at practice and games. But by the time Morgan started college, the problem had gotten worse. She started having frequent, crippling headaches in addition to the jaw pain. For a while, Morgan didn’t say anything. She chose to muscle through it, suffering in silence until it got to the point where she couldn’t. Her dentist thought it might be her wisdom teeth, so she had them removed. The pain persisted along with changes in her jaw and chin that restricts her air flow, which affects her ability to breath normally. After a lot of tests and visits with many specialists, Morgan was diagnosed with a rare condition known as Idiopathic Condylar Resorption.

Idiopathic Condylar Resorption causes the jaw joints to break down and basically disintegrate. As that happens, the lower jawbone shrinks and pulls back. This shift can happen quickly, sometimes within months. As the lower jaw and chin shrink, changes in facial appearance and structure occur and left untreated, it causes tremendous, head, neck and back pain, makes breathing difficult to the point of being dangerous, and -- most alarmingly – makes it difficult to open your mouth to speak or chew.

The only way to correct this condition is to undergo a Bilateral TMJ Reconstruction with TMJ Total Joint Prosthesis/Condylectomy. Her doctors say this surgery is no longer optional and the longer she waits the more difficult it becomes. The surgery is invasive and expensive. It requires a 6-8 week recovery period with many restrictions, and of course Morgan will not be able to work or attend school during that time. I am very fortunate and grateful that my insurance will cover a portion of the cost, however, the out-of-pocket expenses and deductibles are estimated to be around $150,000.

As a mother, I have done everything in my power to help her. I’ve depleted my savings and taken a second mortgage on our home. Unfortunately, it’s still not enough. I’m starting this Go Fund Me page to ease the burden on Morgan. She is a full-time student with a part-time job at the beginning of her life as an adult. While Morgan can apply for loans to cover tuition, she can not get a loan to cover her medical expenses and she desperately needs this surgery.

God has been faithful to us throughout this process, and we are asking you to prayerfully consider how He might wish to use you as Morgan continues her journey. I am hopeful you will join me in being part of the many it will take to “Be Her Miracle”.

If you are unable to join us financially, we would appreciate your prayers. Thank you for being part of her miracle!