Harper, a dedicated student-athlete at Northview Middle School, is preparing for her most challenging medical procedure yet: an eight-hour jaw reconstruction scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
After a season of playing basketball and soccer with only six millimeters of jaw motion, Harper has shown remarkable resilience, maintaining her daily routine despite significant pain and functional limitations.
Her parents and medical team are asking the community to keep Harper in their thoughts and prayers during this critical week.
Throughout the school year, Harper’s jaw condition has affected her ability to breathe, speak, and eat, yet she remained committed to her sports and school activities.
Despite having only a fraction of normal jaw motion, she competed in basketball and soccer games, showing determination that has inspired her teammates and coaches alike.
Her speech has gradually deteriorated, and limited jaw motion has caused frustration in everyday life and social interactions.
Her friends have shown incredible understanding as Harper navigates these challenges during such a pivotal age.
Harper’s upcoming procedure, performed by Dr. Jeffrey Marschall and Dr. Brian Andrews at UIHC Stead, involves resecting a portion of her lower jaw that has fused to her skull—a condition known as TMJ ankylosis.
Previously, temporary procedures had slightly increased her jaw motion to 15-20mm, but this improvement was not sustainable.
During this surgery, at least an inch of Harper’s lower jaw will be removed.
Surgeons will use her temporalis muscle, located at the right side of her head, as a “donor site” to prevent the jaw from fusing to her skull again.
This approach, though complex, aims to establish a more sustainable range of motion and improve Harper’s daily life functions, including eating, speaking, and breathing.
While this procedure is crucial, it is only a temporary measure. Harper will need rigorous jaw exercises and therapy to maintain the new range of motion.
The medical team plans to follow up at MD Anderson’s Trismus Clinic in Houston, where customized mouthpieces will help her gradually sustain and improve jaw mobility.
Ultimately, Harper may require a permanent prosthetic TMJ joint once she reaches adulthood.
This long-term solution will address the skeletal and dental challenges caused by past cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and previous jaw surgeries.
Despite the upcoming procedure, Harper has found joy in her activities, including playing her final eighth-grade basketball game on Monday against SE Polk.
Her coaches and teammates have supported her every step of the way, and she remains committed to her sport, even after a recent on-court injury that left her with a bloody nose.
Her parents emphasize the importance of timing and expert surgical care, acknowledging that this procedure represents just one of the many challenges of cancer survivorship.
They are optimistic that Harper’s determination, combined with the expertise of her medical team, will help her regain function and improve her quality of life.
As Harper faces this intense eight-hour surgery and a 4-6 day inpatient recovery, the Northview community and beyond are asked to send prayers, encouragement, and love.
Harper has already overcome incredible obstacles since her major fibula mandibulectomy three years ago, and her family is grateful for the opportunity to see her thrive once again.
