Hello, my name is RoseLa Delene, and I am a 46 year old mama of 6+2 totally amazing kiddos, and very grateful and fortunate to be 5 year recovering alcoholic.

Unfortunately I am finding myself with a very rapidly declining oral health situation and I have had to extract almost half of my teeth in the last 6-8 months. Thanks to advanced periodontal gum disease and the complete absence of any tooth enamel caused by 25+ years of alcohol and anxiety related bulimia. Isn't funny how consciences sometimes catch us long after we think we're in the clear? It's a pretty solid reminder of what I left behind and why I don't ever want to go back to that terrible place.

I'm really not huge on putting myself out there and sharing my embarrassing defeats from the past, but I really need help. So putting my pride aside, and as uncomfortable as it may be, I've decided I have to to reach out and ask for help. My dental situation is becoming more and more depressing, dire, and physically painful. I am really at the point where somedays I'm so self conscious that I don't want to leave the house or socialize. I still do.

Anyone who knows me knows that I try to stay peaceful, balanced, and optimistic. I love to be of help others and I will do anything I can for my family, friends, total strangers, anyone that's put in my path or on my heart. I have gladly found a great deal of selflessness in my sobriety and just a bit of healthy selfishness in learning to forgive and love myself again. My three youngest children are still in elementary school and we love to go explore and spend time outdoors with each other, paint, sew, prepare meals, take care of our wonderful pets and crazy chickens. Teeth or no teeth I will continue to do all the things they deserve from me because it's not always about me and thats okay, but maybe just this once it could be and maybe that would be okay too?

I am in need of multiple extractions, surgical implants, and permanent dentures. The biggest goal for this process is to stop my jaw bone from deteriorating anymore and beyond the point of surgical stability.

I'm not fueled by ego, I'm not vain and I don't feel like I just deserve to be handed whatever my heart desires, but I do believe that if this reaches the right heart than maybe I got a chance to get my smile back. So I'm going to step out of the comfort zone and throw myself out there. I will walk in faith. What is meant for me will be.

Thank you RoseLa Delene