Ep. 58 | Down to 75 Pounds
MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries
Deep Dive
Why did Mackenzie Hilde have to use a feeding tube?
Mackenzie experienced debilitating stomach pain after eating, which made it impossible for her to consume food normally without enduring excruciating pain.
What was the initial diagnosis for Mackenzie's condition?
Initially, doctors suspected that Mackenzie's symptoms were due to a sensitivity to the food she had been eating over the summer, and later, they diagnosed her with anorexia, despite her efforts to eat.
How did Mackenzie's condition affect her life?
Mackenzie's condition forced her to miss school, undergo multiple surgeries, and rely on feeding tubes for sustenance, significantly impacting her ability to live a normal life and pursue her dreams.
What was the turning point in Mackenzie's medical journey?
A chance encounter with a doctor on a hiking trail led to a medical student, Jessica Gould, reviewing Mackenzie's case, which eventually resulted in a correct diagnosis of Median-Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) and successful surgery.
What was the final diagnosis for Mackenzie's chronic pain?
Mackenzie was diagnosed with Median-Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), a condition where a band of tissue compresses the artery supplying blood to the stomach, causing pain upon eating.
How did Mackenzie's life change after her surgery?
Post-surgery, Mackenzie was able to eat without pain for the first time in five years, paving the way for her to resume a normal life, including attending medical school.
- Mackenzie experiences severe stomach pain shortly after eating.
- She loses 15 pounds over three months in Uganda and another 20-30 pounds in Rwanda.
- Mackenzie initially believes the pain is a side effect of anti-malarial drugs.
Shownotes Transcript