A MAN whose body is ravaged by thousands of tumours is praying for a miracle to stop the growths covering his entire body.
Surinder Sharma first noticed the lumps growing in his face and body when he was 20.
His dad also suffered the same condition, which doctors suspect is neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes tumours to grow along the nerves.
The dad-of-four said people are scared of him and make fun of the marble-sized non-cancerous lumps growing all over his body.
“The tumours are only growing with my age,” Surinder said.
“These tumours have ruined my life.
“People laugh at me, children are scared of me. I have no social life.”
Surinder, a happily married man who runs a small grocery stall in a small village in Madhya Pradesh in central India, was born a seemingly healthy child.
It was only when he turned 20 that the first lumps appeared on his face.
As his dad had also suffered the same condition, Surinder just ignored them at first.
But, they got worse and worse, growing rapidly and within a few years engulfed his body.
As time went by, the lumps started growing bigger and bigger and eventually spread in my entire body
Surinder Sharma
Surinder said: “I was a handsome man in my youth but just a few months after my marriage, I noticed a lump on my face.
“Within a few days there was a cluster of them, they were growing really fast.
“Because I had seen my father with these lumps on his face I thought I too would be fine just like him.
“But as time went by, the lumps started growing bigger and bigger and eventually spread in my entire body.
“It was really severe and worse than my father.”
Surinder, who makes just £100 a month from sales at his store, has visited several local doctors over the years.
But, every time he has been told the treatment is only possible in advanced hospitals, in big cities like Delhi.
With four children and his wife to feed, Surinder has had to abandon his dreams of a treatment.
“I have spent thousands of rupees on consultations but none of the doctors here could tell me what I am suffering from,” he said.
“Going to a big city would mean a lot of money but I cannot afford the travel or stay and doctor’s fees.”
Local doctors believe Surinder is suffering neurofibromatosis but say only a thorough examination can determine the cause.
Neurofibromatosis is a name for a group of incurable conditions that cause lumps to grow on the coverings of nerves.
Dr Suraj Sahay Saxena, a GP who also advised Surinder’s dad, said: “It looks to me a case of neurofibromatosis.
BUBBLE MAN Man covered in HUNDREDS of bubble-like tumours is forced to live alone after his family shunned him
“It is a very uncomfortable condition to live with but sadly I cannot be of any help to him.
“He had come to me two months and I had advised him to go to a skin specialist as they will be able to diagnose the condition.
“Years ago his father had also come to me for help but his condition was not as bad as Surinder’s.
“I believe there can be a treatment for his condition but it is not possible here as we do not have the resources for the examinations.
“I have suggested him to see doctors in Delhi.”
Thankfully, Surinder has no pain but the discomfort is unbearable.
He said: “There is a weird sensation in the lump and when I sweat I feel burned and itchy. I try to keep as clean as possible.”
Other than the physical discomfort the lumps have caused, they have deeply hurt Surinder’s confidence.
“I feel very low about myself. I run this store but hardly people come to buy from the shop.
“I feel uncomfortable in moving freely in market because people stare at me and children get scared.
“My family loves me but I feel inferior in front of others. The society demands a person to look in a certain manner and my appearance does not fit that criteria.
“My kids are very supportive but they are growing and a day might come when they feel bad about me.”
Surinder, however, does not wish for any sympathy. Instead, he is hoping for a treatment that can cure his condition forever and give him his youthful looks back.
He said: “I do not have money but I hope that government comes for my help.
“Medicine is advancing and I have firm believe in God and doctors that some day I can be cured from this disease that has ruined my life.”
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