The 22-year-old man who waited a decade to have the dangerously large tumor on his face removed survived the life-altering surgery he raised the funds for.
Lucas McCulley, from Idaho, had his congenital lymphangioma removed in an operation in New York on Tuesday, and his mother has revealed to KTVB that he is doing well.
McCulley raised more than $112,000 to get the surgery he needed to remove the benign tumor on his face that was causing immense pain via GoFundMe.
But he was not sure whether or not his tumor was operable until he was featured on an episode of the syndicated TV show The Doctors last month, during which McCulley was given the good news that he could have the tumor removed.
Lucas McCulley (pictured), from Nampa, Idaho, was born with a lymphangioma, a rare but benign form of tumor in the neck or head which can obstruct a person’s breathing
McCulley has said that the tumor does not affect his sight, but it does cause him intense pain
During The Doctors episode, ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Gregory Levitin said that he could perform the surgery McCulley needed.
‘I’m prepared to take on your case and do whatever is necessary to restore you back to a normal appearance,’ he said.
Another specialist, plastic surgeon Dr Jonathon Cabin, spoke abut McCulley’s condition on the show.
‘We see these every once and a while, and in this case in particular it was just everywhere. It was behind the eye, up against the brain, attached to the muscles,’ he said.
But after Dr Levitin agreed to do the surgery, McCulley’s operation date was set for October 18.
On McCulley’s GoFundMe page, he revealed that he has had to endure 24 surgeries to treat the tumor so far. He wrote: ‘I’ve had 24 surgeries in my first 10 years, and now I’m ready for the 25th and the one that changes it all.
McCulley had his tumor removed on Tuesday, and his mother has shared that the operation went well
And, according to his mother Sheri McCulley, his wish came true. She told KTVB that the surgery ‘went better than he could have dreamed’.
Lymphangiomas are congenital tumors that can be found on people’s heads and necks. They cause their airways to be obstructed in addition to immense pain.
They can affect one’s spleen, tonsils, thymus and adenoids because all are part of the lymphatic system. This system is a crucial part of the body’s immune system, and it is in charge of removing excess fluid from people’s tissues.
Lymphangiomas found on the neck can be identified before a patient is born, though this happens in less than 50 percent of patients. The tumors vary in size, but they can grow rapidly.