Living in hell - the girl with 16-pound facial tumor

[DS Star]

In 2005, the then 13 years old in Haiti, Marlie Casseus was living in great suffering from her 7 kg (18-pound) facial tumor that blocked her from breathing and eating normally. She would become blind and eventually facing painful death if not operated on.

Funded by the International Kids Fund (IKF), a charity which shuttles children in need to the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center for live-saving treatments, Marlie's tumor was removed and she went through several other re-construction surgeries.

"Casseus suffers from polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, a genetic condition in which the bone structure is replaced by connective tissue. This condition affects more than one bone in the body, impairs skeletal growth and development, and can cause deformity.

The growth started when she was three years old, and continued to advance until her facial features were completely disfigured. It blocked her nasal passage and most of her mouth so that she could only breathe and eat through a hole placed in the throat. Always a social impediment and a stigma, the growth eventually prompted her to become completely reclusive to avoid public ridicule.

Before surgery, the bone growth had become a 7-kg (16-pound) tumor-like mass that covered almost her entire face. It was threatening her breathing and would have eventually caused blindness if doctors hadn't operated." - Wikipedia

http://youtu.be/Mc3W80f7Yos
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Before her surgeries, we can equate Marlie's life as living in hell for her suffering in physical pains as well as the suffering of being ridiculed and discriminate from her society.

I wonder what kind of karma that has cause her to experience such great pains started when she was only 3 years old.

The miracle of modern science only helped to cure the 'effect' her previous karma, thus the are recurrence of new tumor reported recently.

So, in such cases, what can be done for purification of one's great negative karma?

Links to news and stories of Marlie Casseus:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20013571-10391704.html
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/158222/reftab/96/t/Facial-tumour-returns/Default.aspx

[Tammy]

Dear DS Star,

Thank you for sharing the girl's suffering and information about her tumor.

Like you, I am also wondering what kind of negative actions had brought her the sufferings in this Life. My guess would be something related to bodily 'sin' that she had committed in her past. Hence she had to endue bodily sufferings.

Lucky for her, the advancement of technology, the girl's situation is relief by surgery, but if she does not do something to purify her negative karma, the tumor might grow gain...

[buddhalovely]

Considering the magnitude of the surgery, it is little surprise that the procedure carries risks as well. One of the most crucial facets of the procedure is controlling the bleeding from the many blood vessels that supply the tumor.

"Our biggest concern is the huge number of blood vessels going into the tumor," Marx says. "We estimate the tumor weighs about 10 pounds, so it's like a newborn baby."

"We saw vessels that were over an inch in diameter," Gomez adds. "So the bleeding complications that we can have on the operating table are potentially very big. We are setting up a huge team in order to accomplish this in a safe manner."

Still, the nature of the surgery will allow Marx and Gomez to perform a significant amount of reconstructive work as the tumor is removed. The surgeons will be faced with the considerable task of realigning Lai's jaw and reconstructing the bone and soft tissues that have been distorted by the massive growth. Marx says the techniques they plan to use will allow them to hide and minimize scars, allowing for a better appearance along with better function.

"We expect her to look better, speak better, swallow better and, by extension, eat better," he says.

[Jessie Fong]

I read this from the link :

Haitian Woman Back For More Op
Even before the earthquake in Haiti, Marlie Casseus was having trouble breathing — again. The 18-pound tumor that had been removed in five charity-financed operations over five years in Miami was growing back, obstructing her nose. Mostly, the young Haitian woman had to breathe through her mouth.
Then the Jan. 12 quake struck her hometown, Port-au-Prince. Her mother, worried that the dust from crumbled buildings and the stench of decomposing bodies could worsen Casseus’ condition, scavenged the only protection she could find: two paper face masks she soaked in vinegar and lemon juice to hide the smell.

Six months later, after the flow of Haiti’s trauma victims slowed to a trickle, Casseus has returned to Miami for another operation.

...

She’s no longer in school, and gets little healthcare in the devastated country.
Still, Dr. Jesus Gomez, the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital oral surgeon who did most of her past surgeries, is optimistic. Casseus’ current problem is regrowth of a tumor related to the rare genetic condition Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, which also has bowed her legs and distorted her arms, hands and fingers. Her face is still distorted, but the tumor no longer is visible.
“It’s a recurrence. We need to remove the mass that’s affecting her nasal cavity,’’ he said. “But she’s 18 now. When she has completed her skeletal growth, the disease should stop. She’s near that point now.’’

...
Starting in 2005, Casseus had undergone five facial reconstructive surgeries that removed a melon-sized tumor that covered most of her face. Her mouth and nasal passages were blocked before the initial surgery. She couldn’t speak then, and could eat and breathe only through one narrow passage.
With the tumor’s return, she again began to have difficulty breathing.





It definitely has something to do with her body karma - not only does she have the tumor growing on her face, her legs, arms, hands and fingers are also affected.
She would need to purify her negative karma.

[Tenzin K]

It’s hard to see people have to endure such physical pains. But it makes me realize what karma all about. Without understanding what karma is we will always ask why the bad things or negative things happen to me? or I would blame others which is always the easy way out.

Looking at this girl, at one point it make me feel sorry for her but another point the question pop up to me that what has she done in her previous lives that make her has to go through this karma?
Whether we believe in karma or not it does explain well with the reality of life. It’s the law of nature. What goes around comes around.

For the girl beside serving her negative karma I hope so much she would have merits to able to meet the protector practice that would able to help her to go through her suffering. It really scary to go through this difficult time alone but if you have the understanding of cause and effect you would be able to move on with your life for the benefit of others. This is realization and nothing is permanent.
Whatever suffering we face now we shall face it with open heart and practice what we learn in our spiritual.

This is also one of the way to check our mind whether we really put things into practice or merely just for the moment.   

[pgdharma]

It is a pity to see this girl having to suffer and deal with a tumor that distorted her face. What did she do in her previous life to make her take rebirth with such  physical deformity? Luckily with the advance medical technology, the tumor was removed and her face reconstructed.

As the old saying goes, "As you sow, so shall you reap”, all the situations and circumstances we encounter is actually a reaction to our own past actions. Our present karma will determine our future status. So for this girl,  she should use the four powers of purification to remove her previous and present negative karma.

[bambi]

Oh my... Such a sad picture to look at. All the pain and sufferings she had to endure through the years. Didn't someone care enough to help? Why did it have to be prolonged? No matter what her karma, nobody wants to be in pain. That is why we practice love and compassion.

For someone who is non Dharmic, we can always do pujas or liberate animals and dedicate the merits to that person. Dedicate that even though the sickness and pain manifested in this life, that person can let go and accept it. May all sentient beings who are suffering be liberated.

[Aurore]

Not only Marlie had to undergo much pain and discomfort since young, but emotional pain due to her appearance. I truly feel for her. Karmas from the past are definitely the cause the pains of this lifetime. The basic root of our pains, problems and sickness is selfishness. I don't know what is the cause of her sufferings, however, in the case of this girl, the result would have resembled the cause.

Body karma can be purifed by engaging in positive actions such as taking vegetarian vows, animal liberation, engaging in pujas, sponsoring statues, creating Buddha images, cleaning temples and by doing prostration practices. We can use our sickness and problems in a very powerful way for spiritual growth, resulting in the development of compassion and wisdom. Compassion is the power that heals. One should be so fortunate to have such opportunity to acquire this knowledge and put into action. May Marlie have such the blessings to receive and practice dharma in future. I can only pray and dedicate to her.

[sonamdhargey]

It is heartbreaking to see a girl go through such pain. She is already suffering so badly from deformity on her face which required surgery, after surgery she had recurrence of the growth in her face that causes her to have  difficulty breathing. Her Karma is terrible as she not only suffer from her physical conditions, she had to suffer the earthquake as well. We all should feel lucky that we are not facig such Karma. We should go all the way in our Dharma practice.

[DS Star]

As the old saying goes, "As you sow, so shall you reap”, all the situations and circumstances we encounter is actually a reaction to our own past actions. Our present karma will determine our future status. So for this girl,  she should use the four powers of purification to remove her previous and present negative karma.

Well-said pgdharma, if only she knows how to apply the "Four Opponent Powers" / "Four Powers of Purification"...

What normally happen in cases like this is, everyone involved will be too busy concentrating on curing the medical conditions and the 'symptoms', which are actually the ripening effects; unless you are Buddhist who is aware of the Law of Karma, otherwise no one will bother to do anything to prevent further ripening of negative karma.

That is why it is very important to learn and understand Dharma, it will easier for us to face the challenges of our lives...

[fruven]

Physically it is painful, not being able to eat properly. Mentally and emotionally I would feel hurt from being isolated or ridiculed. Thus she needs a lot of support from her close ones to live. We shouldn't blame karma from what is happening just like when we are physically we shouldn't blame. Because the effect happens on the face it could be issue with image we have done wrong on others, destroying others' image in the past, now it is happening to us and we have to face the consequences of losing face. Let's pray that she or her close ones to meet the Dharma and a teacher.

[DS Star]

... We shouldn't blame karma from what is happening just like when we are physically we shouldn't blame. Because the effect happens on the face it could be issue with image we have done wrong on others, destroying others' image in the past, now it is happening to us and we have to face the consequences of losing face. Let's pray that she or her close ones to meet the Dharma and a teacher.

Yes we shouldn't blame karma... but by understanding the "Law of Karma" or the "Law of Cause and Effect" then we will accept everything that happened to us without blaming others or our parents for a genetically induced sickness like this one. We understand that we are fully responsible, then we can learn to change the course for our future, by doing right the right things now, the present.

And yes, let's pray that she and her loved ones to meet Dharma and a qualified teachers in order for her and her family to have a better life in future.

[Benny]

I cannot help but to wonder if this girl was a Voodoo witch doctor in her previous life since she is born in Haiti . I have seen many video documentaries on Voodoo practitioners who practices cruel animal sacrifices for both good and evil deeds.

In fact it does not matter in fact if they practice black or white voodoo magic or not , as long as they make other living sentient beings suffer and die , its bad enough. So , i believe that this girl has some seriously heavy negative karma that is now causing her her physical deformity. If only she can realize that , make efforts to do such positive actions like animal liberation , it may not be too late for her.

[rossoneri]

Cannot imagine the pain and suffeingr she has to go thru due to her condition. Yes, modern technology can help us with a lot of ways but it is just an illusions or rather temporarily. As the result of her negative karma which leads to the growth of the tumor now spreading not only to her nasal and face but now to her fingers, arms and legs. We must always remember the negative karma which we have accumulated not only in this life but the past. We are who we are today because of our past, do not blame, instead we should do more to help others in whichever way we can.

Lets pray for Miss Marlie for staying strong and her health will be improving swiftly.

[yontenjamyang]

The effect resembles the cause. That is the nature of karma. Overtime, karma left un purified will grow. Also, the karma ripens whichever is strongest. So for her to be born human she must have the good throwing karma in the first place. For the ripened effect of her face she must done something similar to others or a sacred image. It can be something minor such as disrespectfully putting mud on the image. It can be as small as a tiny bit of mud. Since karma grows, over a lifetime or a few lifetimes the karma can lead to such a condition as Marlie's. This is really scary and we should be scared.

The point is that this should trigger some realizations in all of us that karma left un purified can lead to horrific consequences and ALL OF US has such karma. It only needs a trigger for it to ripen. So the moral of the story is:

1) Be aware in all our actions, do not commit negative actions of the body speech and mind. Keep your vows diligently.
2) Since we are sure to have committed many negative actions this lifetime and in the infinite past lifetimes, do purification practices starting with the 7 limbs prayers and practices such as Vajrasattva and 35 Confessional Buddhas.
3) Beyond the above, practice diligently to achieve liberation and better still full enlightenment. For we are sure to suffer in samsara. Worst suffering than what Marlie is suffering from awaits us ALL including the hells and the asura realms if we do not leave samsara. There is actually no choice but to have the ability to control our rebirth is our only way out. Aspire to take the Boddhisattva vows and best of the best have strong Guru Devotion. Then at least we can meet the Guru again and again in the future and be able to practice to be liberated if we cannot achieve this lifetime. If we are able to practice Tantra, it will be the best provided we keep strong Guru samaya and keep the vows intact.

Also, actually suffering far worst than Marlie can be observed everywhere, even with the rich and healthy for suffering is subtle and karma is powerful. We need to realise this for the example is only seen on the web while in reality we do not come into contact with such "extreme" physical cases in our daily lives.  It doesn't mean sufferings are not there. It is pervasive.

Practice my friends.