The Treeman

Today, I have watched the documentary movie about a 36-year old Indonesian man named Dede Koswara, the so-called "Treeman". He is affected with a terrible disease that has covered his body with tree like roots. The movie tells about the search for the cure for Dede. He is a poor fisherman from a small Indonesian village. Because of his disease he cannot work and provide his family with money. He has 2 teenage children.

Nobody cared about him until American dermatologist, Dr Gaspari, hears of Dede’s story and goes to Indonesia to meet Dede. He finds that Dede suffers from the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), or common warts. Dede has a low immune deficiency that has allowed the virus to flourish to a massive, deforming infection. After that, Indonesian officials took Dede in hospital and provided him with treatment. Dr Gaspari suggested chemotherapy but Indonesian doctors prescribed surgery treatment. Dede was in hospital for about nine months. Doctors removed 90% warts from Dede’s body (over 4-pounds). But I think it’s only a temporary relief. They haven't cured him yet and warts will grow again. Below are pictures before and after treatment.