General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis is so sad:Woman who received the world's first partial face transplant dies
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 worlds 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 familys privacy.
Doctors did not reveal the exact cause of death. Le Figaro reported that Dinoires 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.
----------------------------
I have never given thought to the possibility of losing the use of my lips. She must have been in agony.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)malaise
(269,187 posts)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 Kings 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 wouldnt survive the pregnancy.
And if they did survive the pregnancy they might not survive the birth, then they might not survive surgery.
They couldnt tell what was connecting them, she added. I didnt prepare to bring them home. It wasnt until they were in hospital and theyd had their operation that my husband started painting the bedroom and getting everything ready for them.
malaise
(269,187 posts)They look so happy
canetoad
(17,195 posts)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
(269,187 posts)and most folks were surprised the operation was successful.
Labs aren't maulers - sad all around.
Skittles
(153,199 posts)Last edited Tue Sep 6, 2016, 10:26 PM - Edit history (1)
she felt that the dog was trying to save her
canetoad
(17,195 posts)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
(153,199 posts)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
may she find peace
malaise
(269,187 posts)BigDemVoter
(4,157 posts)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
(269,187 posts)heart transplants - they're just regular operations after decades of trial and error.
Skittles
(153,199 posts)yes indeed
malaise
(269,187 posts)It was 'heart-stopping'