120 lb. woman survives 200 lb. tumor

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the case of a woman with neurofibromatosis who had a 200-pound tumor removed. Participants explore the implications of the tumor's size, the timing of its removal, and the medical and personal challenges faced by the patient. The conversation touches on themes of medical awareness, patient experience, and societal perceptions of weight and health.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express curiosity about why the tumor was allowed to grow to such a large size before removal, questioning the medical decisions involved.
  • Others suggest that the tumor's growth in the midsection may have led the woman to mistake it for weight gain, complicating her awareness of the issue.
  • A participant mentions that it took the woman a year to find a doctor willing to perform the surgery, indicating potential challenges in accessing appropriate medical care.
  • Some contributions highlight the emotional and psychological aspects of living with such a large tumor, including societal perceptions of weight and health.
  • Participants share personal anecdotes about similar experiences with tumors, emphasizing the commonality of misdiagnosis or delayed recognition of such growths.
  • There are references to the rarity of neurofibromatosis and the potential lack of familiarity among doctors regarding the condition, which may have affected the monitoring of the tumor.
  • One participant reflects on the courage displayed by the woman during her ordeal and the impressive teamwork of the medical professionals involved in her surgery.
  • Concerns are raised about the woman's medical coverage and financial situation, suggesting that these factors may have contributed to the delay in treatment.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express concern and curiosity about the circumstances surrounding the tumor's growth and removal, but there is no consensus on the reasons for the delay in treatment or the adequacy of medical oversight.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect assumptions about medical practices and patient awareness that may not be universally applicable. The discussion includes anecdotal evidence and personal experiences that may not represent broader trends.

Les Sleeth
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This afternoon I saw a Discovery Channel special on neurofibromatosis ("elephant man's disease") where a 120 pound woman, Lori Hoogewind, had a 200 pound tumor removed from her body:

http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/medicalstories/feature1.shtml

During the over-20 hour operation 50 pints of blood were transfused, and once the tumor was removed it left an open wound that covered 40% of Lori's body, leaving her mortality chances (and pain level) similar to that of severe burn victims. Five skin grafts later she had put on 20 (healthy) pounds and was living a normal life. An amazing story of Lori's optimism, and the skills of medical science.
 
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I saw the fattest dog ever today... It was wider than I am and only came up to my knee. Fat ****ing dog, I'll tell you!
 
When I hear things like this, I can't help but wonder why the tumor was allowed to get so large before being removed. Those with neurofibromatosis have many tumors affecting nerve endings, so I can understand not removing all of them, but once they reach a certain size, you'd think it would be removed much earlier than 200 lbs!
 
Moonbear said:
When I hear things like this, I can't help but wonder why the tumor was allowed to get so large before being removed. Those with neurofibromatosis have many tumors affecting nerve endings, so I can understand not removing all of them, but once they reach a certain size, you'd think it would be removed much earlier than 200 lbs!
That is what I am wondering! Does this person just sit there and wonder, hmm why do I all of a sudden weigh another 100lbs, or 50lbs, or hell 20lbs. I always thought women were obsessed with weight, you would think she would be going crazy after gaining 10lbs!
 
Moonbear said:
When I hear things like this, I can't help but wonder why the tumor was allowed to get so large before being removed. Those with neurofibromatosis have many tumors affecting nerve endings, so I can understand not removing all of them, but once they reach a certain size, you'd think it would be removed much earlier than 200 lbs!

I am not sure about this, but because it grew in her midsection, I don't think she realized it was tumor (i.e., rather than weight gain) until it was so big doctors believed it would kill her to remove it. It took her a year to find a doctor who would agree to attempt the surgery, and he only did then because the strain on her heart from all the blood the tumor required was going to kill her anyway. They show the surgery, BTW, it is amazing. They had to use a wheelbarrow to take the tumor to the lab to test for malignancy.
 
What, so now she weights -80 pounds? :P jk
 
:smile: :smile: :smile:
Pengwuino said:
What, so now she weights -80 pounds? :P jk
 
Pengwuino said:
What, so now she weights -80 pounds? :P jk

:rolleyes: Duhhhhhh, isn't that 92 pounds? Sheesh. :rolleyes:
 
my grandmother had a... 40lb i believe.. tumor removed about a year ago. might have been a bit bigger, i forget. but she had no idea that she had it. it was in her stomach, and she thought it was just normal weight gain. needless to say she was quite pleased to have it removed. we joked for a while that it must be nice to lose 40lbs so easy. "man, wish i had a tumor" was the joke. we were really scared at thet time though of course.
 
  • #10
I remember hearing about another woman who had a massive (>50kg) tumor... the woman had agoraphobia which is why she allowed it to get so large without getting treated.
 
  • #11
how heavy is a pound?
 
  • #12
1kg = 2.2 pounds i believe
 
  • #13
Les Sleeth said:
I am not sure about this, but because it grew in her midsection, I don't think she realized it was tumor (i.e., rather than weight gain) until it was so big doctors believed it would kill her to remove it.
According to the article, it was on her back (a common place for such tumors), and she had many others removed, which is also common for people with neurofibromatosis, so you'd think they'd have carefully monitored it and she and her doctors should have known the risk of not getting it removed early. Perhaps her doctors were not as familiar with the condition as they should have been; it is somewhat rare.
 
  • #14
Moonbear said:
According to the article, it was on her back (a common place for such tumors), and she had many others removed, which is also common for people with neurofibromatosis, so you'd think they'd have carefully monitored it and she and her doctors should have known the risk of not getting it removed early. Perhaps her doctors were not as familiar with the condition as they should have been; it is somewhat rare.

Yes, I must have missed that during the program (I was making pizza :-p while I watched). One thing that really impressed was Lori's courage. No complaining about the pain, which had to be awful. The teamwork of the doctors was inspiring too. Great stuff.
 
  • #15
I'm wondering if she had medical coverage, she of course could not work..and Michigans welfare/SS health coverage is really bad. That might of been why it was put off so long.