An 81-year-old woman died after surgery done to remove a calcified foetus that’s been there for 56 years – the result of an ectopic pregnancy in her youth.
Daniela Vera, an 81-year-old woman from Aral Moreira, Brazil, near Paraguay’s border, has unfortunately died after a surgery to remove an old calcified tumour. The tumour was ignored for years, even though she complained to doctors numerous times about pain and a bulge in her belly.
Doctors uncovered the calcified foetus called a lithopedion, which had been in her body for 56 years, with 3D scans.
The indigenous grandmother, who was reluctant to visit a traditional hospital, had been carrying it since her last pregnancy in 1968.
Medical staff suspected she had cancer before making the rare discovery, after she complained of stomach pains.
Daniela was rushed to surgery in Brazil to remove the foetus.
She underwent the incredibly uncommon operation on March 14 and died the following day in intensive care.
The incredibly rare “stone baby” has been sent off for medical testing.
Grandmother to 40, Daniela lived in an indigenous settlement close to Brazil’s border with Paraguay.
Her daughter Rosely told local press: “She was elderly and we are indigenous people.
“She didn’t like going to the doctor and she was afraid of the equipment used to carry out tests.”
Her son Vanderlei added: “She didn’t want to go to the doctors because she was worried she had a tumour.
“She would just take medicine so the pain went away.”
Rosely said: “We’re are in a state of shock, there’s a lot of sadness.
“She was our mum and the only one who protected people and now she’s gone and we feel lost.”
Daniela had first gone to a smaller hospital near her home to get help for a urinary tract infection.
Peoplesmind
