Sean Munson (son of Sara Vories and Rick Munson)

My dear friend’s son, Sean began experiencing noticeable changes in his vision at the age of 7.  On December 20, 2016 he was diagnosed with a meningioma (brain tumor). Sean underwent a craniotomy to remove two small tumors which eventually resulted in total loss of vision in his right eye. After surgery he was formally diagnosed with meningiomatosis. Over the last four years, the brain tumor team (ophthalmologist, neurosurgeon and oncologist) at Seattle Children’s Hospital have been monitoring him for any vision changes or new tumor growth. Blindness in his right eye has required that he have accommodations in the classroom setting. As well as glasses to protect his remaining functioning eye. A routine MRI in May showed an increase in the size of one of the small tumors not removed in 2016 and growth in both optic nerve sheath meningiomas. On July 10th his vision in his good eye was 20/400, which had previously been 20/25 in October of 2019. 

Sean is scheduled for surgery for a second craniotomy on August 7th. The doctor’s objective is to open up the optic canal to allow for swelling during his radiation treatments. Sean and his family will be staying in Seattle for at least a week for post op care and to follow up with the neurosurgeon before returning home. Radiation treatment will require the family to return to Seattle to complete the necessary preparation and spend an additional 6 weeks for proton radiation at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. 

The goal of surgery and radiation is to preserve Sean’s vision as long as possible. Although the chances are high that he may lose his vision in the near future. Sean and his family will be facing lifelong challenges. Many of the things that Sean once enjoyed will either have to be relearned or won’t be possible. This has been hard for him to accept, but he is resilient and is doing his best to focus on the things that he can still achieve in the future. 

It is anticipated that the family will need to be in Seattle on and off for the next nine to twelve weeks. The family will be using the donations for wages lost, hotel, food, while having treatment and medical expenses. Thank you for helping my friend and her family during this difficult time.