A Queensland man has a painful medical condition causing his testicles to swell to the size of a watermelon – and they are continuing to grow.
Tyrone Bowd was diagnosed with scrotal lymphedema around 12 months ago, and now his testicles reach his knees.
The 24-year-old’s condition puts him at risk of infections which make his temperature soar, his heart race and his body turn septic, News.com.au writes.
Tyrone Bowd was diagnosed with scrotal lymphedema 12 months ago
His mother and full-time carer Tanya is calling on public donations in an attempt to raise $100,000 for surgery in the United States.
She told The Australian: “No one can help us in Australia. I had doctors discuss building a team to give surgery a go only to be told by a urologist that if I was to sign on the dotted line and allow anyone in Australia to operate I would be signing my son’s life away."
Tyrone, who is also autistic, told Ten News his illness was “uncomfortable and frustrating”, adding: “It’s hard to do stuff all the time and it’s hard to go places.”
He even told his mother: "If they can't fix me, I just want to die so you don't have to take care of me, Mum."
Tanya says Tyrone’s quality of life is diminishing and she fears he will die without the necessary surgery.
She says she is in touch with California-based surgeon Dr Joel Gelman, who famously reduced Wesley Warren’s 10st testicles in June last year.
“I’ve contacted Dr Gelman and I have had continuous correspondence with him. He has been monitoring Tyrone’s condition via medical reports CT scans, ultrasounds and photographs,” she said.
Wesley Warren's 10 stone scrotum was operated on in June last year
Warren also suffered from scrotal lymphedema but sadly died in March.
No cause of death was officially announced but his flatmate Joey Hurtado said the 49-year-old had suffered to heart attacks.
Warren’s testicles grew to such a size he had to wear a hoodie top as trousers to support the weight of them.