Secilia's Road to Healing

Hafa adai! My name is Secilia Unpingco and I live on the beautiful island of Guam.
In the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic year 2020, my young life was interrupted with being diagnosed with a rare condition called Idiopathic Condylar Resorption (ICR). I was then later diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I have been suffering from chronic pain that radiates throughout my body for the past three years. Not many people know of my condition, because I try to hide and endure the excruciating pain when I get home. Both conditions have affected me physically, socially, and emotionally. I have experienced jaw pain throughout my elementary school aged years, but little did we know that I would be diagnosed with a degenerative joint disorder when I was 14 years old AND an autoimmune disorder. The pain continued to be felt throughout my body, to the point of me being paralyzed with fear to get up.

I am 16 years old now and still have a full life to live despite these disorders . I was told I couldn't play my favorite sport, basketball, anymore because there may be trauma to my jaw joints. I have been able to go back to dancing which helps with physical therapy and helps me cope with living with these diseases. After my diagnosis, I started to receive treatment and consultation from doctors on island, but given that we don't have some of the specialists (Rheumatologist) and facilities that I need to help treat my diseases further, I was referred for "off-island" treatment. I have been blessed to find doctors both on island and off island who are able to hopefully help me live a pain free life and to stop my degenerative disease from giving me more bone loss. Or praying that the treatment will relieve my daily chronic pain.

I was referred to an oral and maxillofacial Health and Science facility at the University of Texas in San Antonio. They specialize in TMJ disorders. I was there last summer of 2021, being cautious about traveling during a pandemic. I felt hopeful, but I was also worried about how costly it was to fly all the way to the United States. My mom said not to worry.  God  will always carry you and protect you through life and that I have the love and support of family and friends to help start this medical journey to help my body heal and to try and live like a normal 16 year old. I am scared and praying I could live normally and not awkwardly with pain. I want to be normal like my sisters and brother.

We were told that I would be able to undergo a lavage treatment (TMJ Arthrocentesis) to check if my jaw joint continues to show degeneration. Then the next option would be jaw joint replacement. I don't know how long this journey will take me and my family.  Please keep me in your healing prayers.

Please help me be able to receive ongoing off- island treatment. Thank you for your help and support. God bless you all! May your lives continuously flow with hope, love, and faith!