Mystery Illness Confines Woman To Tent

SOMERS POINT, N.J. - Doctors were perplexed when a healthy young woman from South Jersey developed a bizarre illness. Ordinary household odors make her so sick that she is living in a tent in her parent’s backyard.

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A doctor in Texas may have unraveled the mystery, reported Fox29’s Robin Taylor.

Over the past four years, Jennifer Parker's world has changed dramatically. She went from running her own successful landscaping business to living in a tent in her parent's backyard.

"When I go indoors or in a car or in any stores, I get sick," said Parker, 31, who wears an air mask and is treated with oxygen.

The mysterious illness left doctors puzzled. Her symptoms ranged from nausea and fatigue to memory loss and then this bizarre one, pink fingerprints.

"There was a time when every white surface I would touch would turn pink,” said Parker.

At one point, Jennifer ended up in the hospital with convulsions.

"She called my husband and said 'I need mom, but I don't know where I am' and hung up the phone," said Mary Ann Parker, Jennifer’s mother.

Mary Ann has tried relentlessly to find out what's wrong with her daughter and may have finally gotten an answer. Tests showed Jennifer's townhouse was filled with deadly mold.

"I didn't know that the mold was growing in my home because I couldn't see it. It was up in the attic," said Jennifer.

A doctor in Texas made the diagnosis. He says the pink fingerprints were her body's way of trying to rid the toxins.

The illness left Jennifer allergic to household chemicals in everything from upholstery to detergent. She can only eat organic food and takes a half-dozen vitamins.

"My immune system is so weakened from the mold that I'm forced to live out here. It's horrible."

Her parent's backyard has become her bubble as she begins a new medication that should flush the toxins from her system.

At first, Jennifer's insurance denied coverage for the treatments which will cost about $30,000. After appealing, the company agreed to pay. Still there are many costs that are not covered, so friends and family held a fundraiser in Somers Point on Sunday.

The money raised will pay for airfare to Texas, co-pays, and things like vitamins and medications.

"It was horrible to see your daughter just deteriorate. Sorry, it was really hard,” said Mary Ann as she fought back tears.

The treatment lasts 6 to 8 months and, if all goes well, should help Jennifer make a 70 to 90% recovery. The medication was developed after Hurricane Katrina when healthy people started developing debilitating mold-related illness.

For now, Jennifer is fairly comfortable in her tent, but she’s not sure what she's going to do when winter comes. She's hoping to see some improvement by then.

If you would like to help out, donations can be sent to:

Friends of Jennifer Parker Fund
C/O TD Bank
399 New Road
Somers Point, NJ 08244

Friends are also selling one pound bags of coffee for $10 to benefit Jennifer Parker. Coffee can be ordered from: KMOCoffee.com