Tree Man - Half Man Half Tree
Sunday, November 25th, 2007 • Category
I know this is not Internet marketing related. But I can’t help to share it since his condition is too pitiful… Hoping someone may able to help him.
Dede, an Indonesian fisherman, is infected with rare virus, Human Papilloma Virus or HPV, that makes “roots” grow in his hands. He’s unable to do any household chores, got sacked from his job, and left by his wife…
It’s almost been 11 years since this virus infected him.
Here’s a video interview of him. He hopes to live long enough to see his grandchildren…
Half Man Half Tree is part of Discovery Channel’s My Shocking Story.
Comment by roberth on 25 November 2007:
would be nice if you can add our widget from http://www.lintasberita.com/tools.php to target Indonesian visitors.
Thanks for your help
Robert Rahardjo
Comment by Raymond on 26 November 2007:
That’s very pitiful.
Comment by Tantam on 27 November 2007:
Sometimes when you think you have the worst problem in the world, there is always somebody else who are worst than u. Keep optimistic with your life. Success for u.
Comment by thuquanvietnam on 2 December 2007:
My god, this is the first time i’ve ever seen such thing like this. Poor man…
Pro Designs.
Comment by Gloria Hamilten on 3 December 2007:
What does the medical world say?
The various medical worlds, ie Eastern and Western?
What explanations from professionals are recorded?
Are any professional medical groups involved?
This man’s condition cannot be ignored by the medical nor the metaphysical world.
Comment by Gloria Hamilten on 3 December 2007:
I tried to digg it, but it didn’t work.
Comment by thuquanvietnam on 3 December 2007:
it has already been dugg by Aldian.
Hoping someone will help him…
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Comment by david deangelo on 9 December 2007:
Very sad. Its actually completely curable. Its infact a fungi and not real roots. Only because he lives in the middle of nowhere and has no access to modern medicine.
Comment by Gloria Hamilten on 9 December 2007:
Yes, it is curable.
I’ve made enquiries since I first read about this man on this blog, and I was told the same thing, that it is curable.
How can we find out how much it would cost to cure him?
Would he need further monitoring after the initial cure?
Any other questions I don’t know to ask?
We could start a fundraising campaign for this man.
If a lot of people contributed, we could do it.
Most of us have such an abundance of opportunities, this is one way we could make a difference to another fellow human being.
Can we get in touch with a doctor who specialises in this?
Gloria
Comment by Aldian on 10 December 2007:
Hi Gloria and everyone,
I’m sorry for my delayed response.
This unfortunate man has been tended by a team of doctor specialists into one of the local hospital, Rumah Sakit Hasan Sadikin (+62-22- 203-4953), in Bandung, Indonesia.
(Picture taken from a local newspaper site, Kompas.com)
From the information in the local news, the hospital frees this man from any medical expense. The hospital plans to use fund from the internal hospital donation. The medical fee is not known yet at this time.
Comment by Gloria Hamilten on 14 December 2007:
Thanks for the update Aldian.
How wonderful that he is being treated.
Wishing you all a very wonderful festive season and an absolutley splendid 2008.
I don’t know if there is internet connection where I am going for a holiday, so I’m getting in early.
All the best,
Gloria
Comment by Jacque C - CO, USA on 30 January 2008:
Aldian,
I’m assuming you are the reporter that helped to bring this story to TLC? During the broadcast our DISH Network receiver was interrupted by an ice storm and those of us in this area of the country did not get to see the outcome of the story about DeDe and his cure. I have been looking all over the internet for some follow-up on this story “Half Man, Half Tree” - can you tell us if they will be doing a follow-up story? Or how we can get more info from the U.S. doctor who came to diagnose him? My husband is a doctor and deals with Plantar Warts all the time, and treats them with a form of chemotherapy called “Bliomycin”. I wondered if the medical treatment for this man was similiar to that of other wart strains? Is he being treated? Is there anything we can do?
Thanks!
Comment by angie on 31 January 2008:
This was a totally fascinating story. I would also like to know what has happened since the story aired. I recall the doctor told his brother to saw off the horns on his hands and feet. I just can’t even imagine this being warts. It’s completely unthinkable. It is also amazing that this can be cured. Bless his heart. Dede is in my prayers for sure.
Comment by Aldian on 1 February 2008:
Hi Jacque and Angie,
I’m not the reporter. I’m a blogger that watched that broadcast and read it in newspaper.
However thanks to that broadcast and public attention, Dede has now been treated. About 14 lbs of the warts have been taken off by a team of doctors.
He’ll be given Acetretin when he gets better.
This was reported in a local newspaper. The article is here (it’s in Indonesian though).
Comment by Victoria on 10 February 2008:
Is there any pictures of him since starting treatment?
Thank you
Comment by Bibi Duaij on 15 April 2008:
I would like to know if there something someone can do to help Dede as well as the others that are inflicted with these heart breaking skin diseases.
I’m assuming that the funds have been raised for his medical bills but is there anything else that needs to be taken care of?
Comment by RomanQueen on 6 June 2008:
Hi,
how is dede doing now? whats his progress and how can we find out ?
Comment by james on 1 July 2008:
Actually if u watch the show a “the human spirit” a american doctor from the university of maryland has offered dede an operation tht may be a success in taking away some of the warts.But they didn’t accepts the offer yet as dede was not at home… and they ended the show . Wonder if he took up the offer… Poor guy
Comment by Rachel on 3 September 2008:
The update to this story ‘Treeman The Cure’ airs on Discovery on 2nd October