Family Ties ~ A story of Dercums

So now that you know a little about how I came about this affliction its appropriate for me to mention the part where I am 46yrs. (inside 76) mother & grandmother, myself.

And while Dercums seems to be more prevalent among females vs. males,  of my 3 children (a daughter & 2 sons) my middle child Joshua was affected prior to his birth.  Born with a Mesenchymal Hamartoma... he spent the first few months of his life at Shands (renowned teaching hospital in Gainesville FL).  Where the majority of his Liver was removed.  Long story short, I am happy to report, he is soon to be 23yrs. of age without any current medical difficulties.


The surgeons and specialists all said not to blame myself.. while they tried to save his life indicating that it was an unexplained phenomenon.  That although its not understood why ... occasionally during development cells become confused and grow in a disorganized manner creating a tumor.

In this case I think I now can accept full blame as there is a close relationship between the lumps in my body and and the type of lump that developed in my son's liver.  Even though I didn't have the first clue that I carried this affliction (much less pass it on) until many many years later... in fact, not until a few years after my youngest was born ('97),  post-hysterectomy ('00),  and lipoma removal ('01) did my GP and I discover Adiposis Dolorosa and how all the pieces of my puzzle fit.


Now it seems that I can explain some of the previously unexplainable... its a relief to me even if no one else gets it.
This zebra isn't crazy!

 (*see prior blog entry for zebra reference.

Important note here: the following is where I believe the identifiers of Dercum's Disease describe emotional disturbance.)

I can't stop thinking about my poor grandmother's suffering and what may be in store for the lower branches of my family-tree.  It particularly haunts me what my daughter might endure especially since she resembles me so very much... not necessarily beginning or ending with our schuerrman's spine(s).



Stay Tuned for next instalment..