Help The Joneses Get Back on Their Feet

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!