An Arizona woman has lost her eyes and a part of her brain from a rare fungal infection and is in danger of losing her life.
Jessica Weldon, 34, was diagnosed with the infection just months after being married.
About three months ago, she believed she had a sinus infection. Doctors ran some tests, though, and found out that she had mucormycosis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rare fungal infection is frequently life-threatening. A review of known mucormycosis cases showed an overall mortality rate of 54 percent.
“The symptoms of mucormycosis depend on where in the body the fungus is growing. Mucormycosis is rare and typically affects people with weakened immune systems,” the agency stated.
تم النشر بواسطة Chris Weldon في الإثنين، ١٩ مارس ٢٠١٨
Symptoms of rhinocerebral (sinus and brain) mucormycosis include facial swelling on one side of the face, headaches, and black lesions on the upper inside of the mouth. Symptoms of pulmonary (lung) mucormycosis include fever, coughing, and chest pain. Other types of mucormycosis include skin and gastrointestinal.
Weldon has had multiple surgeries, including having one of her eyes removed, the removal of her palate, and the removal of her sinus cavity area, her new brother-in-law Greg Weldon wrote on GoFundMe. She’s gone blind in her other eye.
“Fungus has been contained, being treated, and closely monitored. Doctor’s are astounded that she is even alive at this time based on how aggressive this fungus was growing. A feeding tube has been surgically inserted so she can actually begin the transition to home care and begin to put the pieces of her life back together again,” he wrote, asking people to donate to help with costs associated with the surgeries, home health care, modifications to the home, and other issues stemming from the fungal disease.
and since the GoFund Me post Weldon has lost her other eye.
“As tragic and quick life can change Jessica’s faith, courage, and joy have not wavered during this storm in her life. She is a walking miracle and now I want to reach out and share her story because we can not sit back and not take action!” he said.
The fundraiser has garnered nearly $25,000 so far, but the family is hoping for $125,000.
Jessica Weldon’s husband Chris Weldon told Fox 10 that doctors are “cautiously optimistic” for her prognosis going forward.
“Doctors seven weeks ago said this has a 100 percent mortality rate, but we’ve been praying,” he said. “We have so many people praying for us, praying for Jess, and she’s hanging in there. She’s a fighter.”
