DeepSummary
A 23-year-old surfer named Graham McCumber living in Hawaii woke up on Christmas Day 2008 with a splitting headache, itching all over his body, and other concerning symptoms. Despite seeking help from his aunt and traditional remedies, his condition rapidly deteriorated until he was admitted to the hospital in a coma. Doctors struggled to diagnose him, initially thinking it was meningitis or the flu.
After being airlifted to a hospital in Honolulu, tests finally revealed Graham had rat lungworm disease, an extremely rare condition caused by parasitic worm larvae burrowing into his brain. Doctors told his mother Kay there was little hope for recovery, but she refused to give up. Combining traditional healing methods like herbs and acupuncture with Western medicine, Kay helped give Graham's body a fighting chance.
Against all odds, Graham began showing signs of consciousness after months in a coma. While his recovery was long, he eventually regained his ability to walk and talk. He realized he likely ingested an infected snail or its slime accidentally while harvesting kale for a Christmas Eve potluck dinner, leading to the near-fatal infection.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Rat lungworm disease is an extremely rare but potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worm larvae burrowing into the brain.
- Sometimes a combination of traditional and Western medical approaches can aid recovery in extraordinary cases where conventional treatments alone may not be enough.
- Eating unwashed, contaminated produce can potentially lead to ingesting parasites or other harmful pathogens, underscoring food safety.
- Having a strong support system of loved ones who don't give up hope can make a major positive impact when facing grim medical circumstances.
- Even when diagnosed with a seemingly hopeless condition, there are cases of miraculous recovery if the body can be given a fighting chance.
- Doctors don't always have all the answers, and should remain open-minded to exploring non-conventional treatment possibilities for unresponsive patients.
- Key initial symptoms of rat lungworm disease to watch for include severe headache, nausea, and skin sensitivity/itching that rapidly progresses.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The doctor held up an image from Graham's most recent MRI and pointed to dozens of tiny white spots on Graham's brain. He told Kay that each one of those spots represented a microscopic hole in Graham's brain tissue that were created by parasites living in his head.“ by Mister Ballin
- “The doctor explained that grahams increasingly debilitating symptoms had been caused by these parasites, called roundworm larvae, as they burrowed inside of him.“ by Mister Ballin
- “And then in a very weak voice, he said, Luke, I am your father.“ by Graham McCumber
- “Thankfully, nobody else at the potluck had gotten sick.“ by Mister Ballin
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Episode Information
MrBallen's Medical Mysteries
Wondery
3/5/24
On Christmas Day, 2008, a surfer living in Hawaii wakes up with a splitting headache and itching all over his body. Soon, the man is comatose and nearly brain-dead in a hospital as doctors struggle to understand what’s happening. His doctors don’t think he’ll recover, but his mother refuses to give up hope – will her belief be enough to save him?
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