EXCLUSIVE: Brazilian woman, 44, who developed a large tumor on her FACE as a baby reveals why she finally decided to have it removed after FOUR DECADES of living with it
- Luciana Dorini, from Mangueirinha, developed a large facial tumor as a baby
- The 44-year-old had refused to get it removed for the majority of her life
- However, she recently had it removed to help her have a better life
A Brazilian woman — who developed a large facial tumor at just a few weeks old —has revealed why she finally decided to remove the tumor.
Luciana Dorini, a 44-year-old from Mangueirinha, Brazil, was just a baby when a spot appeared in her right cheek.
However at eight months, she was diagnosed with with infantile hemangioma – a benign growth of blood vessels that can become tangled together. It then progressed into arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
Throughout her life, Luciana has refused to allow the tumor to bring her down and has even previously said that she developed ‘higher self-esteem than anyone else in the world’ because of it.
Luciana Dorini is a 44-year-old woman from Mangueirinha, Brazil who developed a large facial tumor at just a few weeks old and has now had surgery to remove it (shown before surgery)
She was just a baby when a spot appeared in her right cheek. However at eight months, she was diagnosed with with infantile hemangioma – a benign growth of blood vessels (shown after having it removed)
Throughout her life, Luciana has refused to allow the tumor to bring her down and has even previously said that she developed ‘ higher self-esteem than anyone else in the world’ (shown before surgery)
And while she once had no interest in removing it, she has now shared why she had finally decided to get rid of the tumor, it was for health reasons only.
The large growth on the right hand side of her face is caused by an abnormal tangle of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, which disrupts normal blood flow and oxygen circulation.
Because of heavy blood flow from the artery, the vein becomes engorged from too much blood causing a growth.
As a result, Luciana — who works as a public accountant, professor, speaker, and writer — has undergone 19 surgeries just to stay alive due to countless hemorrhages in her gum and skin.
The brave woman has also nearly lost her life a number of times due to the AVM.
She explained: ‘I was determined not to let AVM define me. Hiding or victimizing myself was never an option. I’ve always been determined to live life to the fullest.
‘When you truly love yourself, you don’t feel the need to compare yourself to anyone else, and when you stop making comparisons, you shatter those unrealistic beauty standards society puts on us.
‘I learned to love myself through the guidance of my amazing mum, a wonderful woman who showed me, with love and care, that I was beautiful just the way I was.’
And while she once had no interest in removing it, she has now shared the reason behind removing the tumor was for health reasons only (shown as a child)
Because of heavy blood flow from the artery, the vein becomes engorged from too much blood causing a growth (shown after surgery)
Luciana — who works as a public accountant, professor, speaker, and writer — has undergone 19 surgeries just to stay alive due to countless hemorrhages (shown before surgery)
As Luciana’s condition became more prominent, even the tiniest bump could cause a life-threatening hemorrhage.
WHAT ARE ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATIONS?
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a specific term used to describe a tangle of blood vessels with abnormal connections between arteries and veins.
High pressure arteries containing fast flowing blood are directly connected to low pressure veins, which normally only contain slow flowing blood.
This means that blood from the arteries drains directly into the veins – without stopping to supply the normal tissues in that part of the body with essential substances like oxygen and nutrition.
Over time this can lead to the normal tissues becoming painful or fragile.
It also means that the AVM gets progressively larger over time as the amount of blood flowing through it increases, and it can cause problems due to its size.
Finally, it may also mean that the heart has to work harder to keep up with the extra blood flow.
Some doctors describe an AVM as ‘a ring road that bypasses the high street of a town’.
Traffic (or blood) will use the bypass rather than the high street which suffers as a result.
AVMs are thought to affect approximately 1.4 in every 100,000 people.
Source: Great Ormond Street Hospital
However, she didn’t want to remove it. She added: ‘I refused to undergo surgery for cosmetic reasons alone, grounded in my belief that true beauty emanates from within.
‘I decided to only have operations to control the bleeding.’
However, Luciana has now had the tumor removed due to how difficult it was to stop the bleeding with surgery alone.
She explained: ‘The relentless bleeding from the tumor and constant fear of rupture left me with no alternative.
‘It was a complicated operation but successful, thanks to Dr. Dov Goldenberg of São Paulo.
‘Over the last few weeks, I’ve undergone additional surgeries to repair my skin and address other AVM-related issues, but I must say my recovery has been remarkable, allowing me to return to work and regain my independence without fear of bleeding episodes.’
Luciana wanted to make it clear her decision was not due to any beauty standards – especially because she has become a viral sensation for showing others how to be comfortable in their skin.
Recognizing the transformative potential of her journey, Luciana embarked on a path of sharing her story through Instagram, amassing a devoted following of more than 101,000.
Her daily reflections touch upon various aspects of life, focusing on her specialization in positive psychology.
She explained: ‘My message around the importance of self-love has been received by many and is helping improve so many lives, including a 16-year-old teenager from Rio de Janeiro.
‘She had a large hemangioma covering her entire leg. She had never been to the beach because she felt embarrassed and always wore pants to hide the birthmark.
‘However, her life took a turn when she discovered my blog and my story. She sent me an email saying, “Today, I went to the beach. I put on a bikini and went because after getting to know you, my legs feel free.”
‘Along with the message, she sent me a picture of her legs, finally uncovered in shorts. Every time I think about it, it brings tears to my eyes.’
Luciana pictured as a teenager (left) and as an adult (right). She has worked on practicing self-love to ensure that she gets the love and acceptance she deserves
However, Luciana has now had the tumor removed due to how difficult it was to stop the bleeding with surgery alone
Luciana wanted to make it clear her decision was not due to any beauty standards – especially because she has become a viral sensation for showing others how to be comfortable in their skin (pictured after surgery)
The outpouring messages of support and positive stories are why Luciana has chosen to speak out and share why she chose to remove the tumor, so that everyone knows she loved the way she looked but wanted to live a healthy life.
Luciana has even used her experiences to pen her autobiographical book, titled Between Waves Of Emotion.
The book serves as a guide, demonstrating that one can find happiness despite aesthetic differences or serious health challenges.
And while the majority of the messages she has received have been positive, she has been sent many negative messages as well.
‘I’ve endured my fair share of hurt from unkindness, but I’m past that now. Those comments don’t dent my happiness. If anything, my self-esteem is on cloud nine; I might just have the most robust self-esteem in the world,’ she said.
‘I only engage with those who appreciate my beauty. If you don’t find me beautiful, that’s your concern, not mine. I will continue to believe in my own stunning beauty.’
Despite her health struggles, Luciana has thrived academically, excelling as the top student in her class.
She earned a degree in accounting sciences, a postgraduate degree in accounting and financial management, and even specialized in positive psychology and wellbeing health at PUCRS.
The outpouring messages of support and positive stories are why Luciana has chosen to speak out and share why she chose to remove the tumor (shown after surgery)
The Brazilian native regularly shares videos with her Instagram followers (shown left before surgery and right after)
In 2011, a vascular surgeon offered Luciana the possibility of liquid embolization, a procedure aimed at blocking the blood flow to the tumor and thereby preventing further hemorrhaging.
Although Luciana had nearly given up on treating her AVM at that point, she agreed to explore this potential solution, knowing that it might not offer a permanent remedy.
While these growths usually go away on their own or with treatment, her condition progressed into an AVM. The once tiny spot grew so large it completely swamped Luciana’s lower facial features, affecting her cheek, mouth, and chin.
The Brazilian native regularly shares videos with her Instagram followers, providing them with daily reflections, about life in general, physiology questions, and focusing on positive psychology, which is her specialization.
‘My videos focus on themes like self-esteem, self-knowledge, character strengths, emotions, and matters of the mind and heart,’ Luciana said.
‘I do all of this for one purpose; to fulfill my mission in the world of sharing my story, and making people smile because I believe that it is possible to change the world if each of us does our part.’
Source: Read Full Article