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Life returning to normal for 'Treeman'
 * "Treeman" can now move his limbs * Would like to get married in future * In-depth - Dede's story AN Indonesian man known as "treeman" because of the gnarled warts that covered him from head to foot is returning to normal after extensive treatment. Dede, a 37-year-old from rural West Java, went home in August after nine months of operations to remove the woody growths that had smothered his hands and feet. American dermatologist Anthony Gaspari was moved by Dede's plight after his story made headlines around the world last year. He found Dede suffered from the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV), or common warts. Because he had an immune deficiency, the virus flourished to a massive, debilitating infection. Over the nine months, Dr Gaspari gave Dede chemotherapy and performed gruelling surgery to remove 6kg of branch-like warts. "In the past I couldnt even put on my own shirt. Now I can do it myself. Its wonderful," The Sun newspaper today quoted Dede as saying. Dede said he hoped to return to a normal life and find a new wife after decades burdened by the root-like growths, which had left him unable to move and work except in a travelling "freak show". "Now I can live with my children... I can move and go anywhere," Dede said from his village in August. Dede lives alone in the village after his wife left him and his teenage children went to stay with relatives because he could no longer care for them. Posted by: Oztralian 2008-10-01 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=251621 |