I'm writing this on behalf of my brother, Mark Jones, and his wife, Erin. This past fall, Mark went in for a routine eye exam where he learned he was losing his peripheral vision in both eyes. He was sent for more tests and received the surprising news that they had found a tumor growing on his pituitary gland in his brain. The tumor was pushing on his optic nerve, causing the loss of peripheral vision. Without treatment, this tumor could cause permanent loss of his remaining eyesight. Mark was referred to the University of Washington Department of Neurosurgery for resection of the tumor. Mark underwent surgery in March, where the tumor was successfully removed without immediate complication, and thankfully found to be benign. Mark began showing signs of a metabolic condition called Diabetes Insipidus soon after going home. It was hoped this was a transient condition that would resolve in a few weeks, but unfortunately, it seems he will be dealing with this as a lifelong condition. It is a risk and complication of pituitary surgery, causing excessive thirst and copious urination leading to dehydration. He is receiving ongoing long-term treatment by the endocrinology team at the UW Seattle. The pituitary tumor, brain surgery, and resultant metabolic condition have left Mark unable to work for the past several months. Erin has been by his side through his recovery even as she has been dealing with her own significant health issue (she is being scheduled for surgery to remove a tumor on her parathyroid gland). Because of this unexpected turn of events, loss of work and related expenses, their financial position has taken a huge hit. They have been trying to make ends meet, but find themselves in a dire situation and are now facing eviction from their home. The stress of all of these things together is really hitting them hard. Any who know Mark and Erin know them to be two of the funniest, most loving and generous people around. It is only after much (MUCH!) convincing that they’ve agreed to my sisters and I organizing a fundraiser to help them get caught up on their bills. Funds will be used to bring them current on their housing costs, medical and travel expenses, and other costs that stem from Mark’s Illness and recovery. Any support you can offer to help relieve their financial burden is hugely appreciated. Thank you so much for considering helping!
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