This is so sad:Woman who received the world's first partial face transplant dies

[malaise]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/06/woman-who-received-worlds-first-partial-face-transplant-dies-isabelle-dinoire
<snip>
A French woman who underwent the world’s first partial face transplant has died in hospital aged 49 after a long illness.

Isabelle Dinoire, who lost her mouth and nose after a dog bite, made medical history in 2005 when she was given a partial face transplant using tissue from a brain-dead woman in a 15-hour operation at Amiens Picardie hospital.

Dinoire died in April, Le Figaro revealed, which was confirmed by doctors in Amiens who said they had not previously announced her death to protect her family’s privacy.

Doctors did not reveal the exact cause of death. Le Figaro reported that Dinoire’s body had rejected the transplant last year “and she had lost part of the use of her lips”.

The drugs that she had to take to prevent her body from rejecting the transplant left her vulnerable to cancer and two cancers had developed, the paper said.
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I have never given thought to the possibility of losing the use of my lips. She must have been in agony.

[In_The_Wind]

1. May she rest in peace.

[malaise]

2. On the other hand this beautiful story -nice video

Conjoined twins starting school 4 years after separation

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/aug/30/conjoined-twins-separated-at-birth-to-start-school
<snip>
“At 16 weeks they sent me to King’s College hospital and it was there that they discovered the connection between the girls,” she said. “It was heartbreaking really – I was already worried that they were monoamniotic [where twins share an amniotic sac], and conjoined was the worst-case scenario.

“I was really, really, really scared and really upset because at that point I was told that there was a high possibility that the girls wouldn’t survive the pregnancy.

“And if they did survive the pregnancy they might not survive the birth, then they might not survive surgery.

“They couldn’t tell what was connecting them,” she added. “I didn’t prepare to bring them home. It wasn’t until they were in hospital and they’d had their operation that my husband started painting the bedroom and getting everything ready for them.”

[Skittles]

3. so cool

[malaise]

4. Really lovely

They look so happy

[canetoad]

5. It was pioneering surgery

And sad that she has died. However, I suspect there is more to the story of her injuries than was reported.

When the injury happened, Isabelle had apparently taken an overdose in a suicide attempt. Stories in the press said that her dog, a golden labrador, mauled her face while she was unconscious. The dog was put down.

Now, I have a dog who is extremely attached to me and I know if he found me unconscious, he would lick, nibble, nuzzle - anything to wake me up. I kind of think that this is what Isabelle's dog did; tried to wake her, and accidentally, through its distress, drew blood, kept licking.....

I saw photos of her injuries, the area around her mouth was sort of abraded away. Tragic events for everyone, but I don't like to think of what was probably a good and devoted pet being labelled as a mauler.

[malaise]

6. I remember the story

and most folks were surprised the operation was successful.

Labs aren't maulers - sad all around.

[Skittles]

7. Isabelle never blamed her dog

Last edited Tue Sep 6, 2016, 10:26 PM - Edit history (1)

she felt that the dog was trying to save her

[canetoad]

8. Thanks for that

I'm glad to hear she didn't blame the dog. As Malaise said, it's an uncharacteristic thing for a lab to do.

[Skittles]

13. she was a very troubled woman, but ultimately a very brave gal

she was open and honest, and shared her story with the world

imagine how many disfigured people will be helped in the future, and it's people like Isabelle who help lead the way

[dylb]

9. reply

may she find peace

[malaise]

12. Welcome to DU dylb

[BigDemVoter]

10. She certainly was a trail blazer.

In the future, there will be many people who will benefit from her experience. How sad her life ended as it did, but she certainly contributed to the improvement of human lives.

[malaise]

11. Yes - today no one talks about

heart transplants - they're just regular operations after decades of trial and error.

[Skittles]

14. I remember the first one, and how out of this world it sounded

yes indeed

[malaise]

15. Same here

It was 'heart-stopping'