Where is Marlow now? 'Take My Tumor' patient seeks help to get large hanging face tumor removed
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: During the most recent episode of 'Take My Tumor', viewers of TLC's captivating medical series were given the opportunity to witness the emotional and courageous journey of Marlow, a patient grappling with multiple tumors on his face and neck. Throughout his life, Marlow was burdened by these tumors that made even the simplest tasks, such as shaving his beard, incredibly difficult.
In the latest episode of the TLC show, we witnessed Marlow embarking on a journey to Los Angeles, desperately seeking assistance to have the tumors on his face and neck removed, all while fervently hoping that they would never return. During the episode, the audience saw the tremendous efforts made by Drs Kimberly Moore Dalal, Jason Cohen, and Ryan F Osborne as they went above and beyond to assist Marlow in eliminating the tumors on his face and neck.
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Who is Marlow on 'Take My Tumor'?
Marlow, a patient featured in the new episode of 'Take My Tumor', is a devoted father to his two precious daughters. Throughout the episode, we witnessed Marlow's unwavering love and dedication to his little ones, as he wholeheartedly engaged in playful activities with them. In one endearing moment, Marlow humorously asked his daughter to give him a massage, playfully cautioning her not to accidentally break his neck. Their father-daughter bond shone through as she teasingly retorted, "You already broke my neck!"
Marlow's appreciation for the gesture was evident, as he eagerly expressed his enjoyment of receiving massages. During a heartfelt confession, Marlow said, "I have two daughters. My oldest Helena is 11 years old. My youngest Bella is 8 years old. Everything I do pretty much revolves around them. They are unfazed by my tumor because they just see me as a dad."
Marlow's young daughters are unaffected by the burden Marlow carries - a tumor that threatens his very existence. To them, he is not just a mere patient battling a life-threatening illness, he is their unwavering pillar of strength and most importantly, their beloved dad. While talking to his daughter Bella, he asked her, “What do you call daddy’s tumor?” to which she replied, “Wiggle, Wiggle."
Marlow continued to inquire, directing his attention towards his youngest daughter, as he sought to delve deeper into her reasoning. He posed the question, "And why do you call it that?" Expectantly, he awaited her response, eager to gain insights into her thought process. In a confident and playful tone, she replied, "Cause it's just like a jiggle jiggle."
What happened to Marlow on 'Take My Tumor'?
Marlow, a father of two, was diagnosed with type 1 Neurofibromatosis (NF-1) at the age of five. NF-1 Neurofibromatosis, also known as von Recklinghausen's disease, affects approximately one in 3,000 individuals worldwide. This condition is caused by a mutation in the NF-1 gene, which controls a protein involved in cell growth and is believed to prevent tumor formation. Tumors can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. Neurofibromatosis can cause various physical and cognitive issues in addition to growths, such as an enlarged head, short stature, heart problems, seizures, and learning disabilities. Although hereditary, 30 to 50 percent of individuals with the disease do not have familial connections to it. Marlow didn't display or discuss any of these comorbidities in the episode.
When Marlow was seven years old, he underwent his initial surgery to eliminate the first of many tumors that would develop throughout his life. Although the initial surgery was a success, the tumor returned and grew twice as large within six months. In the following thirty years, Marlow experienced the growth of tumors on various parts of his body and had to undergo multiple surgeries to eliminate them, including a 3lbs mass on his shoulder and a 5lbs mass on his head.
The chef was once again dealing with large tumors on his neck, back, and cheek, which were causing him pain, migraines, and a curvature in his spine. He experienced difficulty in moving his head or utilizing his right arm due to pain and muscle tension. Marlow sought help from Dr Ryan Osborne, a head and neck surgical oncologist in Los Angeles, in order to enhance his quality of life. He has the same disease as Charmaine Sahadeo and Alexandra Schroeder, who were previously featured on the TLC show.
Marlow traveled to Los Angeles to consult with Dr Osborne, hoping he could provide a solution for his face tumor. Previous doctors had informed Marlow that there was a 50% chance of experiencing complete facial paralysis if the tumor was removed, and Dr Osborne gave the same prognosis. Dr Osborne warned Marlow that there was a significant chance of damaging a critical facial nerve in his cheek, which is responsible for controlling all facial movements.
"There’s always risk involved. So [paralysis] is one of those risks. You have to be willing to take the risk," Marlow said. He stated that the surgery was worth it because it would provide a significant sense of relief to have the tumor removed. He added, "Right now I'm feeling like it’s the time to take care of the tumor." Dr Osborne chimed in, "If we hit that nerve, we lose everything. That is total instant facial paralysis. I do believe Marlow understood the risk of paralysis quite well, but he’s trying to decide: 'Am I living? Or am I just alive?' He seems to be processing it all."
During surgery, Dr Osborne discovered that the tumor was very complex and impossible to navigate because all the facial nerve branches were intertwined. He described the tumor as a nightmare and expressed that it was more severe than he had anticipated.
Dr Osborne proceeded cautiously and systematically, starting with the less risky parts of the tumor and gradually moving on to the more risky areas that posed a higher chance of paralysis. Dr. Osborne was pleased with the surgery's success in removing a significant portion of the tumor, but he remained concerned about the possibility of nerve damage, which would only be determined once Marlow regained consciousness.
After waking up from surgery, Marlow's first action was to smile broadly for everyone present in the room. After the surgery, he expressed complete satisfaction with his current appearance after eleven weeks. Even though Dr Osborne was unable to completely remove the growth, Marlow was extremely happy with the outcome. "I think the tumor did bother me just somewhat more than I really thought it did and now that it’s gone I really see and feel the big impact with it gone," Marlow said.
'Take My Tumor' airs on Wednesdays on TLC at 10 pm ET.