In 2000, Mr. Mark Tatum, also known as “the man without a face”, experienced a fungal infection that caused him to lose his eyes, upper jaw and nose.

An unusual ailment known as mucormycosis is caused by a fungus that can be found in dust, rotten food, bread, and dirt. Mold is frequently found indoors and can be dangerous, unhealthy, or even fatal.

What really happened to Mark Tatum’s face?

In 2000, a fungal disease caused Mark Tatum to lose his eyes, upper jaw, and nose. Although this type of illness is not unusual, Tatum’s damage was of an unprecedented degree.

Tatum’s ability to resist infection made him a medical marvel. Due to his unique background, he received extensive media attention, including appearances on Maury Povich, Larry King and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

To save Mark Tatum’s life, surgeons had to amputate a significant portion of his face when a rare fungus called mucormycosis invaded his sinuses.

Had his eyes, nose, cheekbones, upper jaw and infected teeth not been removed, the fungus could have spread to his brain and killed him.

“At first, we didn’t think he would live. The future looked pretty bleak.” This was validated by University of Louisville Medical Center plastic surgeon Dr. Wayne K. Stadelmann.

He was a strong man who stood in solidarity with the thousands of people who had been affected by fungal contamination and lost their homes, livelihoods and health.

After two years and 11 procedures, Tatum had a new look. In a 2022 interview with CNN, the 45-year-old Owensboro, Kentucky resident said, “Look at me today.”

Zafrulla Khan, a prosthodontist at the University of Louisville, created it and said it was the most complete prosthesis he had ever created or heard of.

At the Medco Center in Franklin, Kentucky, Mr. Tatum passed away on February 26, 2005, after undergoing all these medical procedures and receiving support from online users.

Mark Tatum is referred to as the man without a face

Mark Tatum was frequently referred to as “The Man Without a Face” due to surgery that resulted in the loss of his eyes, upper jaw, and nose.

To save Mark Tatum’s life, doctors had to amputate a significant portion of his face in 2000 when a rare fungal disease called mucormycosis invaded his sinuses.

A family of molds known as mucormycetes is the source of a serious but rare fungal disease known as mucormycosis. These molds could be located anywhere.

People with health problems or those who use medications that reduce the body’s ability to fight infection and disease are more likely to develop mucormycosis.

The sinuses or lungs are often affected after inhaling fungal spores from the air. It can also manifest after a burn, cut, or other injury to the skin.

Nancy Tatum, Mark’s wife, believes a steroid he was using for back pain may have damaged his immune system.

Tatum started using steroids two years ago after a fall while working as a landscaper. On February 7, 2000, Tatum was taken to the emergency room at Mercy Health System in Owensboro after showing signs of confusion.

Following a biopsy, Dr. Khaled Joujia, an infectious disease specialist, determined that Tatum had mucormycosis. According to Nancy Tatum, Dr. Joujia claimed that he had previously worked with five people who had it.

The fungus quickly spread to Tatum’s lips, nose and eyes, and was now making its way to his brain.

After being diagnosed and given a life or death option less than a week earlier, Tatum was rushed to University of Louisville Hospital. He had two options: he could be kept comfortable until he died, or his eyes, nose, sinuses and palate could be surgically removed.

He decided on the latter.

Mark Tatum died at the age of 48 from mucormycosis

When Mark Tatum passed away at the age of 48, his wife Nancy and their family were devastated. After construction workers removed walls from Mark’s home that were contaminated with Stachybotrys chartarum, better known as black mold, Mark became ill with mucormycosis.

Zygomycetes, a type of mold that is widespread in the environment but can develop into opportunistic infections when conditions are right, are to blame for this unique disease.

Tatum has a lot of strokes, has a significant amount of right-sided paralysis, and needs to take 15 pills a day.

Medicare and Medicaid barely cover a small percentage of the costs, and bill collectors frequently contact them seeking tens of thousands of dollars.

Tatum claims that his granddaughter Leah’s request for help in a dream and Nancy’s devotion saved him when he was on the verge of death.