My name is Lawrence Merlo and in October of 2018 I was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer. They found a softball size tumor in my lung. I’ve had 1 cavity in my whole life and after the radiation treatments, which was over 50 and all my teeth rotted or fell out but just a few. The other night I took a bad fall and knocked the remaining teeth I had out. I can’t eat, or sleep where they hurt me so bad and I’m so embarrassed to smile. I went to Aspen Dental and they said for the extractions and the dentures would be over $7,000 and I would have to come up with a little over $5,000. I’m so depressed all the time now. All I want is for people to look at me and not laugh. I try my best to be a good man, but it seems when everything starts to look up, something always brings me down. I’m not asking for all the money because I’m not selfish. I just need a little help. I don’t know if the people who are reading this have ever had to go through this, but I feel so bad about myself, embarrassed to smile, and depressed all the time. I have already paid out over 1100 dollars and I can come up with 1500 more but that cuts me up on money.All I want is to be able to laugh and feel good about myself.I’ve always been too proud to ask for help but I really would love and appreciate it so much. Thank you for your time. Lawrence Merlo jr
