120 lb. woman survives 200 lb. tumor

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Lori Hoogewind, a 120-pound woman, underwent a 20-hour surgery to remove a 200-pound tumor caused by neurofibromatosis, a condition that leads to multiple tumors affecting nerve endings. The surgery required 50 pints of blood transfusions and left her with a significant open wound, similar to severe burn victims, but she eventually recovered and gained 20 healthy pounds. Concerns were raised about why the tumor was allowed to grow so large, as it was not initially recognized as a tumor due to its location on her back and the gradual weight gain. The discussion highlighted the importance of monitoring such conditions closely, as well as the challenges faced by patients in accessing timely medical care. Lori's story showcases both her resilience and the advancements in medical science.
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.
 

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