Jim’s fight against Erdheim-Chester’s Disease

In early 2020, Jim was diagnosed Lymphocytic Hypophysitis A treatment plan of a high-dose Prednisone (steroid) for an extended period was prescribed to combat the rare condition. While on the high-dose steroid, complications began to develop. This led to Jim being diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis requiring the following surgeries: right hip replacement (2020), left hip replacement (2020), core decompression surgery of his left shoulder (2021), and a right shoulder replacement (2021).

Jim started to notice his balance deteriorating in May of 2022. His medical team (made up of more than 10 different doctors since 2019) performed countless tests, MRIs, biopsies and CT scans trying to identify the root cause of his health issues, but to no avail.

Further health complications occurred in July 2023 when Jim required a procedure that placed a stent between his kidney and bladder due to swelling of the kidney.

In August of 2023, a specialist officially diagnosed Jim with Erdheim-Chesters Disease *ECD (a rare non-Lagerhans hystiocytic multisystem disorder with no known cure to date) that only around 800 people have been diagnosed with in the world.

After years of searching for answers, Jim finally starts treatment for ECD on August 24, 2023.

Prior to Jim’s health complications, he devotedly coached his son’s baseball team, rode bikes and fished with his son, vacationed at his wife’s family cabin in the northern mountains of Pennsylvania, performed yard work, golfed with his father, and played with their dogs. Jim and his family regularly fostered rescued pregnant dogs (in partnership with a local animal rescue) and cared for the mother and puppies in a homemade whelping area that Jim built by hand in their basement until the puppies were 8 weeks old and ready for adoption.

Our GoFundMe goal is to raise funds for the Andrulonis family to cover the costly co-pays for Jim’s medications and long-term physical therapy sessions and to purchase a motorized scooter and home medical equipment needed to assist Jim in his daily activities. Our hope is with Jim’s ECD treatment starting this week, it will restore back most of his mobility, stop the constant aches & pains, improve his eyesight and stability, and allow him the opportunity to gain a portion of his life back. The Andrulonis family has always been community oriented and the first to help their neighbors and family members; it’s time we rally to assist them.

There is no cure for ECD. Jim has put his trust in his medical team and acknowledges the road ahead is long and challenging, but he is optimistic and ready to fight.

Sincerely,

The Bashioum / Turnwald / Andrulonis Family