My Shocking Story, Thursdays at 9pm from 29 March, brings to life the most shocking, globally controversial and truly awe-inspiring medical mysteries. The series explores conditions such as Sex-somnia - people who have violent sex in their sleep, and Proteus Syndrome - a rare disorder in which parts of the body grow out of all proportion, as well as groundbreaking treatments including foetal surgery and deep brain stimulation.

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I have been searching the internet following a programme I have just watched. It was "My Shocking Story - Face Eating Tumour". There is another posting on this site regarding this from last year with the same question as I have which is "how did she die?". At the end of the programme it said she died 3 months after filming but with no explanation. Do you know what happened? It was a fairly strange ending to what had been a fantastic programme and left me feeling so sad.

I too, have just watched the program, and while it was an amazing feat of medical expertise, I am baffled at how the program can end as abruptly, jsut to say that she died, not what of, or how or anything...
What happened, will someone please enlighten us.

Hi

I have just watched My Shocking Story: Coma miracle.
It has motivated me to register here, just so that I can say what a wonderful story. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Well done to Disc. Channel. A fantastic start to the series. If anybody didn’t see it, its repeated on Saturday at 10pm. Be prepared to be moved.

Regards

quote:

Originally posted by DW:
I too, have just watched the program, and while it was an amazing feat of medical expertise, I am baffled at how the program can end as abruptly, jsut to say that she died, not what of, or how or anything...
What happened, will someone please enlighten us.

Here's a follow up on Pastina's sad story from the programme maker:
"Pastina died a few months after surgery. She had a happy life working with her daughter, cultivating her plot of land and forming close relationships with her family and many of the villagers. She woke up feeling ill and died on the way to the hospital. Cause of death even after a post mortem is unconfirmed but there has been a suggestion it might have been from blood on the brain. Many women in Africa carry heavy loads on theirs heads – Pastina might have weakened her skull by doing this causing this tragedy."

HI. My name is Glenn Russell Borken. I wrote the article about my sister, Vicki, from which you originally found out about her. Please refer to:

http://vickiborken.com/

I recently saw the program you produced about Vicki. I am very unhappy about it. I realize that your program “My Shocking Story” is basically intended to do just that, to shock. What shocked me, however, was that the level of journalism in the show was about that of the Enquirer Magazine. I always thought that the Learning Channel was about education.
Let me straighten you out on some of the facts. First of all, on the program and the web site, you state that Vicki refused to have the surgery in Sweden. This is completely false. She originally agreed to film the show with the understanding that she would go to Sweden for the much-needed surgery.
Secondly, she was offered a specific amount of money for her appearance on your show, which took up six months of her time. I am writing this on 1/19/08. You still have not paid her. After parading her around on international television like a circus freak, and then refusing to send her to Sweden, you should at least compensate Vicki, as agreed. I am very angry.
Anyone interested in Vicki's real story may email me at
glenn101953@yahoo.com

Thank you for getting in touch with us. We take this comment very seriously and have forwarded your posting to the producer of the programme as a result. He will be getting in touch with you directly to resolve this issue.

I saw half of this program last night. Unfortunately, it ran too late and I was unable to see the last half-hour.

I'm sad to hear that Vicki was not paid as she was promised for her appearance on this program. However, I also have to wonder why the parents did not do something about her condition when she was growing up. I mean I would have had some surgery done many years sooner and I would have begged, borrowed or stolen the money to get something done. I find it hard to believe that someone would tolerate such a situation for so many years.

Actually, the disease itself is very rare, and the use of liposuction as a treatment is very new. The massage therapy was, however, inadequate. Since the termination of the massage treatment, her leg has gotten worse again. She just had another bout of severe infection. Without the promised trip to Sweden, there may be no hope.

I also watched the story about Taylor, the dwarf-sized little girl. While people might stare, they might not poke so much fun at the poor child if her parents would put braces on her teeth for heaven's sake! That is what makes her look more pathetic than being small.

Discovery Channel did the story,"My Shocking Story My Big Foot". The story portrays a sort of miracle help for my daughter,Vicki Borken,the person of interest in the story. What Discovery Channel did not tell you, is that the treatment was painful ,tedious and most of all DID NOT HELP OR WORK after the Documentary was shown .There was no plan for follow-up care or for bandages needed for life or even for a check-up visit with the clinic that performed the treatment. Her leg is as huge and weighs as much as it did before the treatment. The 6 weeks were nothing more than a tease and to give hope to Vicki for a better life and a more normal leg.She was envisioning being able to do the normal things mothers do with their little girls.This was all blown to bits.and I think people who watched the program have a right to know.No one is stepping forward to take responsibility for the failure.I think that repetive showing of this Documentary is in bad taste.People have witten to Vicki to inquire as to how she is now and are shocked to learn that it was all in vain. People meet her in stores and in the street,recognize her and are also shocked to learn that the treatment did not last.A disappointed Mother

Dear Selma,
Thank you for getting in touch with us. We take your comments on the programme featuring your daughter very seriously and have forwarded your posting to the producer of the programme as a result. He will be getting in touch with you directly to resolve this issue.
Many thanks,
The Editorial Team

Another few thoughts about my daughter Vicki Borken.My email address is waywardbears@earthlink.net.It was also upsetting for your documentary to say she did not want treatment. Equally upsetting was saying that she talks to her leg more and more and that she is in love with her leg.These are lies and insulting. If you took the time to look at her Web Site you would know that she has been trying to get help for many years.Vicki's Mom

it is well over a week with no word. HOW CONCERNED COULD YOU BE 1111 VICKI'S MOM

Dear Selma,
We appreciate your concerns, and confirm that the programme makers will be getting in touch with you directly in due course.
Many thanks,
The Editorial Team

I have to honestly wonder, though, WHY didn't this family seek surgery for Vicki YEARS ago? Why did they let it get the size it is now? More possibly could have been done when it was smaller. I wouldn't have rested before I found a way to stagnate the growth, even if that meant surgery after surgery. But, yes, it is quite disturbing that Discovery did this documentary and still her situation is no different.

Mitsy,My son answered your questions. We did consult years ago with the one Dr.who did experimental surgery . He died years ago. He made no promises for after the surgery. He said the condirtion could come back,it could get worse or you could lose thew leg. Unded these conditions,my daughter did not want to chance it. Her leg got worse as the years ago and worse when she was pregnant with her little girl. Treatment years ago was a machine with a compression stocking that would blow up and compress the leg ,but, it was no cure or permanent.We had that and used it. Her life when younger was sports. With her condition, We never held her back or treated her any differently than our other children. She was All State,All City and All American in the top; 10 in the country and was written up in the sports page many times.Do not condemn people without knowing the full story. And, Yes, it is a shame and a travesty that no one took responsibility for what happened after the documentary.6 weeks of treatment with no follow-up was horrible as her leg went back to it's horrible state. It is still a horrible desease with no real answers.Thanks for your dconcern. Vicki's Mom