Story Lisa Masuku-Kurira
ZIMBABWE’S medical fraternity has recorded yet another significant milestone after surgeons at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo successfully removed a 50kg ovarian tumour from a 32-year-old woman, in a complex three-hour operation that doctors say saved her life.
The patient, Melody Ndlovu of Mberengwa, had endured five years of severe discomfort as her abdomen continued to enlarge, initially mistaking the condition for pregnancy after her menstrual cycles ceased. Multiple consultations, including visits to her local health facility and faith healers, brought no relief as the mass continued to grow.
“This started around 2020. When it first started, I thought I was pregnant because I stopped having my monthly cycles. I tried seeking help from our local hospital, and they said I had a challenge of fibroids, but then my stomach kept growing. I then sought assistance from prophets. They gave me prayers, and that did not work either,” she narrates.
Ndlovu said the tumour had drastically affected her health, mobility and social life.
“This thing really affected my social well-being. Also, it was not just my health. I could not walk or do any kind of work because the mass was too heavy. I was even accused of sleeping with a married man, so having a ballooning stomach was viewed as a punishment,” Ndlovu added.
Lead surgeon Dr Elton Sengurayi, who led the team of specialists to successfully perform the miracle operationn said had the tumour not been removed, it would have exposed Ndlovu to several lung, kidney and bowel movement challenges due to its size.
“At first, it was difficult to say what sort of tumour it was, but during surgery, we noted it was an ovarian tumour. If it had not been removed, it would have kept growing and pressing on the lungs, kidneys, and bowels, as she had a problem with the passage of stools,” Dr Elton said.
Although the operation was successful, Ndlovu remains under close medical supervision as part of her recovery.
