Just within the past few months, the life of my brother, Mike Schmitz has been turned upside down. From what went from a normal doctors visit with lab work turned into something none of us would have every dreamed of. 

Shortly after getting his lab results back, his primary care doctor noted that the testosterone levels on him were extremely off and decided to send him to an Endocrinologist to further investigate what is causing this. After meeting with the Endocrinologist and taking further blood tests, she found all of his levels on all his hormones were completely off. She decided to check the source of all hormones, the pituitary gland via a MRI. After waiting for the results of the MRI - we found out the news. There is a growth located on his pituitary gland and it is growing. It currently is bigger than the pituitary gland and is budded up to the carotid artery and also his right optical nerve. The only way to resolve this situation is have brain surgery to remove the pituitary gland in whole with the growth.

After meeting with all the 3 different doctors that have to be in the room during the surgery, he is now scheduled for April 26th for this. This surgery isn't very common, but as we say, it wouldn't be a "Schmitz" thing if it was anything normal. Of course, with surgery there are a lot possibilities. There is still a chance when they do the surgery that he could have further vision problems or go blind in that right eye due to the proximity of everything. They will go ahead and remove the gland and will have to take fat out of his leg and use it to "plug" the area. Then comes the journey after surgery, he will be on hormone therapy and monitoring for the rest of his life. 

Theres lot of unknown until after the surgery happens, but we know for sure that he will be out of work for a good while, unable to do normal activities, unknown if the surgery will affect any vision, and there is the chance that their insurance thru the state may be denied as it is up for renewal at the beginning of May - shortly after his surgery - so there is the possibility of the flood of medical bills coming their way too. 

The funds raised here will help to support my brother and his family as they navigate the next step in this journey. They will be used to help to supplement them while he is out of work, be able to pay medical bills and any other needs that may come up along the way. Prayers and Good vibes are most definitely needed for all of us. I am also hosting a meal train, so they do not need to worry about who is cooking what/when.

I will continue to update everyone as we continue to move forward in this situation.