A 15-year-old boy named Asheng had a massive tumor growing on his right back, which appeared to be like carrying a bag of rice. He could only sleep on his side and clothes would quickly wear out due to the size of the tumor. At school, he was often teased by classmates and removing the tumor became his greatest wish. Yesterday, the Provincial Tumor Hospital successfully removed the large tumor from Asheng. When weighed, it was an astonishing 18.7 kilograms. With this wish fulfilled, Asheng can finally lie flat on the hospital bed for a good rest.
Unimaginably, what started as small as "green beans" gradually grew into the sizes of "peaches", "coconuts"... and eventually resembled a bag of rice on his back, making it difficult for Asheng to even sleep at night. Newly bought clothes would soon be worn through, requiring mending to continue wearing them. Asheng went to school with his backpack only able to be carried on his left shoulder. Moreover, because of the large tumor on his back, he couldn't walk fast or participate in running exercises during physical education classes. Asheng was also frequently teased and bullied by classmates.
Experts advise that tumors should be treated early when discovered.
The deputy director of the hospital, Huang Yunchao, said upon seeing Asheng, they were very shocked, unable to imagine how he managed to bear such a heavy tumor. This large tumor grew inside the chest cavity, pushing Asheng's right scapula outward.
From then on, Asheng became introverted, rarely going out. After returning home, he would read alone or help his parents herd horses and cattle. Removing the large tumor and standing tall as a person has always been Asheng's greatest wish. However, with a family of four earning only over 10,000 yuan annually and needing to support two children's education, it wasn't until recently that Asheng's parents saved up some money to prepare for his surgery. The local hospital was unable to perform such a surgery, so they came to Kunming.
Asheng is a child with strong self-esteem, revealing a desire to return to normalcy and health through his simple gaze. Although the money they brought wasn't enough for the blood needed for the surgery, the hospital still organized all the experts for a grand consultation, determining the surgical plan.
The tumor on his back severely affected his study and life.
Journalist Wang Jinsong (Chun Cheng Evening News)
"Such a situation should not have occurred; Asheng can be considered a victim," Deputy Director Huang Yunchao said. When the tumor was small, it could have been resolved with a minor surgery costing little money. But now, the entire surgery costs more than 80,000 yuan and the surgery is quite dangerous. He reminds parents that if they discover a tumor on their child, they should seek examination and treatment as soon as possible. Waiting until it grows too large not only significantly increases treatment costs but also the surgical risks.
"Only three months after birth, we felt two lumps the size of green beans on his waist, which would slide when touched," Asheng's father, Qiu Erjin, told reporters. "We took him to a township hospital in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, where the doctor said it was nothing serious and might disappear on its own, so we didn't take it seriously."
Yesterday afternoon, I saw Asheng in the intensive care unit still wearing a breathing tube. With this long-held wish fulfilled, he can finally lie flat on the hospital bed for a good rest. "Suddenly losing one-third of his body weight, he may need some time to regain his sense of balance," the doctor said. Once the breathing tube is removed, Asheng will be able to speak that evening. After discharge, he will need to return for follow-up checks for three years to prevent tumor recurrence.
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