Novemthree Siahaan
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Novemthree Siahaan was a young boy who had a rare condition known as gigantiform cementoma. The story of his treatment and life was shown on television.
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[edit] The "face eating tumour"
Born with a normal face in Batam Island, Indonesia, Novemthree was raised in a poor village. His mother and his father one day saw a small tumour developing on his face. It grew to be very large, covering his entire face. Novemthree could no longer see, lost his ability to walk, had breathing problems, and had to lift his head up to drink. The tumour got so large it weighed almost two pounds. Novemthree's parent's brought him to the local doctor (the only one they could afford) and he accused Novemthree of black magic. He also told Novemthree's parents that his father had given Novemthree bad karma and that Novemthree should pay for his actions. People of the village shunned Novemthree's family because of Novemthree. As time went on, his tumour continued growing.
[edit] Help arrives
Dr. David Lui was a Buddhist monk travelling through the village. He came across Novemthree and asked his parents what was wrong with him. His parents told him that Novemthree was alright and he could survive with his tumour. However, Dr. Lui wanted to send Novemthree for help immediately. His parents agreed, so Novemthree and his father travelled to Haulien, Taiwan. They were supported by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation in this relief effort. The doctors in Taiwan had never seen a tumour of this kind before. Only ten other cases have ever been seen worldwide.
[edit] Surgery
Novemthree had to receive immediate medical attention, but first he had to lose his ability to speak for the surgery to go on. The surgeons placed a tube in Novemthree's trachea to allow him to breathe while removing his tumours. The surgeons would have to cut the tumour in three different surgeries and re-sculpt his face with the remaining tumours, because the tumors had destroyed much of his facial structure. The first surgery was performed on Novemthree's left cheek, giving him sight in his left eye. The second surgery performed was to cut the tumour on his right cheek. In spite of doubts from the surgical team, he regained sight in his right eye as well. The final surgery would remove the tumour from Novemthree's mouth. Novemthree had to endure physical therapy to regain his ability to walk. Though it was expected that he would need future surgeries, Novemthree was soon allowed back home.
[edit] Death
On September 14, 2005, Novemthree died in his sleep, due to a respiratory infection in his chest. The Tzu Chi foundation gave him a proper burial. Novemthree's story was shared on the Discovery Health Channel in 2005.
