200 lb MONSTER!

Nurses General Nursing

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Anyone else see this surgical show on Discovery Health? A lady from Mich. had a 200 lb NF tumor that doctors had refused to remove due to poor prognosis. A plastic/reconstructive surgeon from Chicago University Hospital took the huge risk and performed the marathon surgery. She weighed over 300 lbs before sx and 98 lbs after. She required 50 units of blood during the procedure.

The pt was such a sweet lady...never complained and possessed such a positive attitude. It was simply amazing.....LOVE these medical shows!

What hit me watching the surgical team struggle manipulating the heavy tumor was the fact that this tiny woman was able to still walk carrying her load....... :saint:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

Oh my...how did she live? (not to mention rapid wt loss.....what kind of a specimen container did they use?)

Love those shows too.

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I seen that when it first aired and recently seen previews for it again. It is truely amazing. I didn't realize she received 50 units blood--WOW.

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Those surgeons really worked to save that lady. What an interesting show! I kept waundering if they would run out of replacement blood. That truly was a surgical miracle.

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Originally posted by ceecel.dee

Oh my...how did she live? (not to mention rapid wt loss.....what kind of a specimen container did they use?)

Love those shows too.

The surgeon "joked" that they had to use a wheelbarrel to take the tumor to pathology. The weight loss was purely weight of the tumor. It required massive amounts of circulation causing heart failure. Once it was removed her organs weren't being so severely taxed. 40% of her body was an open wound requiring many, many skin grafts. I can't believe she survived all the possible comp's, disasters that were highly likely such as exsanguinating (sic) during surgery and massive infection after. Must've had awesome nursing care along with that incredible surgeon(s). The anesthesiologist was great as well

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What's a "NF" tumor? How old was this lady?

Wow!

Love

Dennie

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Originally posted by NurseDennie

What's a "NF" tumor? How old was this lady?

Wow!

Love

Dennie

"Neurofibroma" I believe. She wasn't very old....50's?

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Oh - I've seen this, But not Like THIS of course - never heard it referred to as NF. Live'n'learn. Thanks!

Love

Dennie

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Yes! It was incredible. I saw the blood vessels some of the tumor was attached too. Purely amazing. I guess after the tumor having a large wound like that was the next big potential problem. Our bodies are purely resilient when they have to be. I was even shocked to know she is still at risk of developing another tumor. I wish her well. :-)

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I saw a show like that a looong time ago! Wasn't there hair and teeth in the tumor?

Cherry

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Cherry Soda -

The tumors that have hair and teeth are teratomas. Ewwwww, dontcha think?

Love

Dennie

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I seriousluy have to question the 50 units of blood. 16 pints and your on a complete change over, that would be about 24 units. None of your own blood would be a massuive reaction in the body, sounds like some sensationist journalism going on.

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