Mission at Work: Tamara Marko

This is my 23^rd year as a Charles River employee. I have spent my entire career in barrier rooms and now proudly hold the title of Associate Supervisor. I have always felt fulfilled by my role at Charles River because my job gives me “purpose.” But it wasn’t until I was faced with my own health issues six years ago, that I fully understood and could appreciate the true “purpose” of my job.

In August of 2006, I began to lose my vision. I first met with an optometrist who immediately referred me to an ophthalmologist. An MRI was ordered to determine the cause of my loss of vision. The results revealed a tumor on my pituitary gland.  I was told that the tumor did not appear cancerous, but was still invasive and fast growing. Before I was able to fully absorb this information, I was speaking with a neurosurgeon and scheduling a craniotomy.

I underwent brain surgery that September. Unfortunately, the surgeon was unable to remove the entire tumor. I was scheduled for radiation therapy following the surgery, but after receiving conflicting pathology reports, the radiation therapy was cancelled.

My vision failed again in November and sure enough, another MRI confirmed that the tumor had continued to grow. After months of tests, numerous consultations, and lots of time spent waiting, I was finally referred to the University of Pittsburgh where another surgeon performed a much less invasive procedure using a new technique called the “expanded endonasal approach.” During this procedure, the surgeon removed what was left of the tumor as well as my pituitary gland. I then began a 30-day regimen of radiation therapy.

I now take several medications daily to compensate for my lack of a pituitary gland and to address other health issues caused by my surgeries. I have also since been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I will be taking these medications for the rest of my life, but I am thankful because I can’t imagine what my quality of life would be without them.

Charles River plays a key role in developing many life enhancing drugs. I cannot help but wonder if one of “my” little white rats helped save my life.  Returning to Charles River after my surgeries helped me heal. Our commitment to biosecurity and animal welfare allows us to continuously provide quality animals that contribute to the early detection of diseases and the discovery of new treatments. Every day, I live the Charles River mission.

-Tamara Marko, Associate Supervisor, RM Production, Portage, Michigan