Medical History: What could have caused the tumor at the base of DabbenMel's spine?

DabbenMel was first brought to the East Avenue Medical Center on 20 March 2018 because of severe stomach pain and inability to eat for 4 days. He could still walk on his own, his cousin beside him to support him. Initial lab tests indicated the following conditions: Complicated UTI, T2 Diabetes Mellitus, and electrolyte imbalance.

At the first hospital when he was visited by relatives. He had no pneumonia or bacteremia yet. His aunties and cousins went near him to touch and hug him. This was on Easter Sunday 2018

Subsequent tests revealed more complications, including hospital-acquired pneumonia. Hospital bill had accumulated as the doctors tried to treat his pneumonia. The longer he stayed in his hospital bed, the more ailments developed or were discovered. He was given medication intravenously medicines for the diabetes, reactive arthritis, powerful antibiotics, and even intravenous medications so that he would not develop reactions to all the medicines being given to him simultaneously. We could only hope and pray that he wouldn’t drop dead or fall comatose from all the intravenous injections. 


By the time he was discharged on 22 May 2018 he could no longer walk so he was brought home by a private ambulance. His Clinical Abstract by then contained a long list of conditions, including Bacteremia/MRSA. 

The clinical abstract released by the first hospital where he was confined for almost 2 months

Note:  

Doctors protect the identity of patients with stigmatized disorders or illnesses and MRSA is unfortunately among these. DabbenMel’s doctors specifically ordered to cover his face and withhold his real identity in presenting his case or for any other purposes to avoid social stigma.

All the medicines that were administered to him at the first hospital where he was confined from 30 March to 22 May 2018

DabbenMel continued his medications and a special diet and vitamin therapy at home. From the time he was brought home until the first week of December 2018, he could still sit up on his bed in the mornings in his attempt to stand and walk…to no avail.

On 7 December 2018, we had to call an ambulance to bring him to another hospital because of difficulty in eating and bowel movement for 3 consecutive days. 

 

A vertebral mass was found and doctors identified it as the one causing the paralysis in his lower extremities.  It was found to be a hardened cyst at  the base of his spine. Doctors have to remove the cyst and insert a metal brace so that he can stand and walk again. This is the procedure that will cost almost Philippine Pesos 500,000 because the metal brace costs over P250,000. A neurosurgeon will operate on him assisted by other doctors. 

The procedures done by the doctors

Biopsy of the mass revealed it is not malignant.  If removed and if the steel bracket is connected, he will have the chance to move again. 

The doctors had decided on the spinal surgery in the first week of December 2018.  It is now the 20th of January 2019 and he is still lying in his hospital bed, awaiting his surgery that is impossible to carry out due to lack of money. 

DabbenMel  has been waiting for his spinal surgery since the first week of  December 2018.

We had to wear protective gowns, face masks, and hand globes. 

 The doctors know the financial situation of the family so they are also waiting for the family to raise funds for his spinal surgery.  

DabbenMel's face is covered and  his real name is withheld upon the Doctors orders to protect the identity of their patient because of his MRSA.