Raising Funds for Renee to get a New Jaw

Hi my name is Renee, I am 26 years old and for the last 10 years I have seen life through a fog with chronic daily pain and severe migraines.

Medically I need a total Temporomandibular joint reconstruction, bilateral jaw joint replacements. This is very specialised jaw surgery and unfortunately, and bewilderingly, it is not covered under the Public Health System. There are only 2 specialised surgeons in New Zealand who can perform this surgery at a cost of $90,000. The cost is in the titanium jaw parts.

I find it difficult to sleep or eat properly and experience constant severe headaches, at times even speaking is painful and life is generally pain and discomfort. I find it embarrassing to eat in front of people as I can only nibble on food most of the time which plummets my weight. People thought I slept a lot and got a lot of headaches without realising the true cause of my constant exhausted state.

This surgery will ease my daily pain and improve overall function to get my life back.

I have experienced symptoms for 10 years since diagnosed and I am now finding it difficult to cope even when taking the maximum amount of gabapentin, a strong neuropathic painkiller, in order to function during the day. That makes it almost impossible to work or study.

I am trying to push through with my study at University, a pre-health diploma, and I intend to study a 3 year Bachelors degree in Medical Imaging. My specialists have written "there is no doubt that Renee will struggle with her studies due to her medical condition” and I have to agree but I am giving it my best.

I have had this condition for so many years now and I have been on various treatments such as strong painkillers and had exploratory jaw joint surgery. I would love to live a normal life and do things other young women are doing at my age, get my degree most of all live pain-free.

As I have to raise the money myself for my surgery if you are able to support my cause that would be truly wonderful but I totally understand if you can’t. I am grateful to you for reading my story to learn more about me and my condition.

Thank you, I really do appreciate it

Renee