The will to live: a man without a stomach, colon and gallbladder has become a marathon runner and inspires others
The story of a Spaniard who lives without a stomach, rectum, colon and gallbladder has become a motivating example for many. 36-year-old Juan Dual is empty inside in the literal sense of the word. He had almost all the organs of the digestive system removed due to a serious illness, but he survived despite everything. Moreover, the guy participates in marathons, surprising everyone with the strength of spirit. The Spaniard proved that human possibilities are almost limitless.
Juan's sad but inspiring story began when he was 13 years old. The boy was diagnosed with a serious disease-hereditary polyposis, in which the risk of developing cancer of the digestive system increases to 99.8%. His grandmother and uncle died of colon adenocarcinoma, and his father underwent intestinal surgery to avoid a fatal outcome.
At the age of 19, after graduating from high school, Juan underwent a complex operation, removing his colon and rectum. But this was only the beginning of a difficult path. When the guy turned 28, the situation became more complicated — the disease reached the stomach, and the doctors had to remove it as well. The young Spaniard almost died from postoperative bleeding, but miraculously survived. He weighed only 57 kg and could barely take a few steps.
Over time, Juan had to remove the gallbladder, because a dangerous bacterium affected this organ as well. The man lost half of his body weight (he used to weigh 106 kg) and was completely exhausted.
As soon as the Spaniard recovered a little after complex operations, he went to Japan with friends. The trip was a turning point in his life, changing his life for the better. Huang didn't speak Japanese, so most of the time he just walked the dog. One day the dog rushed forward, and the man ran after him. So he realized that he could run.
A few months later, Juan went to England, where he settled in a small town surrounded by mountains, and found a job. There he regularly went jogging. The Spaniard inspired everyone to whom he told his difficult story. With the help of a nutritionist, the man organized his diet in such a way that he had enough strength and energy for physical activity.
Thanks to perseverance, eight months after the last operation, the Spaniard ran a two-hour marathon in Barcelona. Since then, he has been constantly training and participating in mountain races and ultramarathons. The man says that sports gives him health and motivation for life.
Without a stomach, Juan began to feel hungry in a different way. The brain does not receive a signal about what useful substances the body needs. The fat content in his body is only 3%, so the Spaniard can faint right during the run. To avoid this, Juan eats according to the schedule and stops for meals even during the marathon to get enough energy and reach the finish line. It is not known how the body manages to process food, but a man eats everything: from donuts to pasta.
Huang's family is happy to see that he is feeling better and better. The Spaniard inspires other people, motivating them to achieve goals. The story of his struggle for survival has become a real example of strength and self-belief.
Juan is not the only one who defied death and won. The 19-year-old American had his lower body amputated, but the guy is not going to give up and leads an active lifestyle.
Keywords: Sports | Europe | Health and medicine | Spain | Running | Illness | Peace | Marathon | Operations | Strength | Survival | Life story | Disease | Inspiration | Stomach | Examples | Motivation | Healthy lifestyle