One courageous teenager has had an 18-pound tumor removed from her face and has suffered the loss of family members in the earthquake in Haiti; nonetheless, she is not giving up.
Marlie Casseus was transported from Haiti to Miami in 2005 so that she could have a series of reconstructive facial operations. These procedures were performed in order to remove a huge tumor that had covered the majority of her face.
Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia is a hereditary bone disease that may affect any bone in the body. Because of this, the tumor was caused by the condition. According to a station that is affiliated with CBS, prior to having surgery, Caseus’ mouth and nasal passages were closed, she was unable to talk, and the only way she could eat and breathe was via a single small tube.
Her life-saving procedures were paid for by the International Kids Fund (IKF), a charitable organization that transports underprivileged children to the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center for therapy that might save their lives.
The incredible tale of medical intervention that Marlie experienced should have had a joyful conclusion. The procedures were successful in restoring a significant portion of her face and enabled her to resume normal breathing.
However, her family was also severely affected by the earthquake that struck Haiti in January of 2010. There were several fatalities. Marlie and her mother made it through the ordeal, only to discover that they were homeless and that Marlie need yet another operation to save her life.
“The nasal passageways are becoming completely blocked by tissue. “That means that the lesion is growing and expanding from inside the mouth, and the palate is pretty much invading the nasal cavity,” Dr. Jesus Gomez from UM/Jackson Hospital told WFOR. “It’s very rare for a lesion to grow and spread from its original location.”
The medical staff has determined that she will need a further operation in order to clear some space in her nasal passages and regain her ability to breathe normally.
“She has come so far and has overcome so much – we will not let her pass away and we are appealing to the community for help,” Janelle Prieto, Director of IKFs Wonderfund, told WFOR. “We will not let her pass away and we are appealing to the community for help.”
