A California man has revealed how he lived “like a monster” for more than a decade after a melon-sized tumor grew on the back of his head.
Arlin, from Murrieta, California, cut himself off from the world as a teenager, dropping out of classes and cutting ties with friends when he began being bullied in high school.
The now 33-year-old man became acutely conscious when the lump began leaking blood and pus and emitting such an unpleasant odor that one of his nurses almost fainted.
While he had spent more than a decade in hiding and searching for a doctor to remove the growth, his lack of insurance and multiple surgeons saying they couldn’t help him only led him to become more depressed.
Arlin, 33, from California, had a growth on the back of his head for more than a decade.
He said he had seen 15 doctors but none could remove the mass.
Dr. Osborne said he noticed a change in Arlin’s behavior since having the growth removed: He was making more eye contact, smiling more and making healthier choices.
But Arlin got a second chance at a normal life when he met head and neck surgeon Dr. Ryan Osborne.
Arlin said on this week’s episode of TLC Take my tumor: ‘Having this bump on my head has been very hard for me. I feel like a monster.’
Arlin and his mother said they had seen between 10 and 15 doctors about the growth, but each said they could not remove it due to its size and anatomy and referred him to other specialists, but the family could not afford any treatment.
His mother, Jaqueline, said: “It’s not that we wanted him to grow so much, but we couldn’t get the help we needed and so he grew.”
‘It’s hard to see someone you love suffer or go through what they are going through. He could die. What is at stake now is his life.
Arlin suffered from a condition called hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes lesions, drainage, odor, pain, abscesses and scarring.
The National Institutes of Health said the condition’s side effects go beyond the physical: “Because of associated pain, tender areas, drainage, odor, and scarring, this condition can have a negative psychosocial impact.”
Arlin suffered from a condition called hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes lesions, drainage, odor, pain, abscesses and scarring.
Dr. Ryan Osborne performed surgery to remove the mass from Arlin’s neck, which he said could have caused permanent damage to the spine due to its position.
Arlin’s growth constantly leaked fluid, pus, and blood, forcing him to wear towels around his neck so it wouldn’t stain his shirt. He also wore hats almost all the time to hide. the tumor.
And her mother said she would have to put candles all over the house because the growth had a very strong smell.
The exact cause of hidradenitis suppurativa is unknown, but it could be due to genetics, the environment the person is in, or lifestyle habits.
The lesions develop due to inflammation and infection of the sweat glands, and Arlin’s condition is further complicated by his anhidrosis, a rare condition that prevents the sweat glands from producing sweat.
About one to four percent of Americans have hidradenitis suppurativa, also called acne inversa, but experts say that number is likely an underestimate.
Dr. Osborne said the condition is not well understood but is often treated by dermatologists. Treatment may include antibiotics, creams and ointments, steroids, and removal.
However, Dr Osborne said: “Arlin’s case is out of control and because of that he had skin wounds that became infected.” It’s a hygienic disaster.
Arlin’s first skin graft was unsuccessful and he was left with open wounds.
While the California-based surgeon said he could remove Arlin’s mass, he was concerned about Arlin’s anemia, a disorder that occurs when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, which meant he could have lost a dangerous amount of blood. .
Because of this, Arlin had to undergo a blood transfusion before the procedure and Dr Osborne said there was little room for blood loss.
The morning of the surgery, Arlin said, “It’s a big relief to hear him say he can get it out.” I feel more confident that everything is going well.
‘I can’t wait for them to finally remove it. To finally have it removed today is a huge relief for me.’
His brother added: “He lost a lot of himself and a lot of years to this. To say this is a life-changing surgery is an understatement.”
Because Arlin’s tumor was so large, Dr. Osborne had to remove skin from her abdomen to create a skin graft, which involves taking healthy skin from one part of the body and attaching it to another.
While there were no complications during the operation, a nurse in the operating room fainted so much that she almost lost consciousness due to the putrid odor coming from Arlin’s tumor.
The surgery was ultimately a success and a second skin graft seemed to be working. Without the dough, Arlin said he had more energy, less pain and less depression.
He He said he was excited to go back to school and get a job, adding, “Surgery has changed my life enormously.” “It’s a great relief.”
Take my tumor Airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on TLC.