Man Refused Surgery for Religious Reason, Face Got Swallowed by Bloody Tumors

By Alex in Health, Religion on Dec 10, 2007 at 4:59 am

Thirty seven years ago, back when he was 14 years old, a bloody tumor appeared on Jose Mestre’s lip. Because of his religion (Jose is a Jehovah’s Witness) prohibition on blood transfusion and distrust of doctors, Jose refused to undergo surgery to remove the growths – until now.

Unsuccessful and unhappy visits to Germany and Spain in search of medical care in his youth have left him with a distrust of doctors. This, combined with his loyalty to his mother’s faith, and concerns about life without the mask to which he has become accustomed, appear to have instilled Jose with a sullen fatalism about his condition.

His inertia has infuriated his close family, who do not share Jose’s religious beliefs. Jose himself, although a Jehovah’s Witness, does not attend any church.

During the consultation with Dr Hutchison in London, Jose’s sister Guida reacted with exasperation her brother’s initial reluctance to discuss the offer of a transfusion-free operation.

"Die alone, not with me. For me, finished," she cried, in dramatic footage to be broadcast for the first time this week. Guida shoulders much of the burden for caring for Jose.

Telegraph has more on this amazing story: Link (with video), photo: Discovery Channel – Thanks Emperor!

Note: Dr. Hutchison, a maxillofacial surgeon, also runs Saving Faces charity, which focuses on facial reconstructions and surgeries.


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  1. Guido
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 8:50 am

    He’d have my sympathies wouldn’t it be for the religion thing. Religion is nice and all, but when it gets in the way of people’s happiness for some sort of mystical afterlife safety I can’t really follow its argumentation anymore.

  2. tamiii
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 10:53 am

    How does he eat? Or even see?

  3. Jesus
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 11:04 am

    Religion is the real evil. Satan is the true object of the religionists’ devotion.

  4. Vonskippy
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 11:46 am

    Why is he even trying to change the way his God made him?

    Obviously it’s punishment for being a moronic sheeple.

  5. Abestar
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 2:09 pm

    What a loser.

  6. ruby
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 2:15 pm

    Religion always brings out the worst in people….

    He did what he thought was right. He suffers everyday with his choice. But inside he may be a better person than all of us.

    We make choices based on our principles. Holy cow, I sure hope we do!

  7. JTPednaud
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 4:17 pm

    If this condition was not adverse to his health, then why the hell should he change his appearance. To not offend your sensitive ideals?

    Really, the fact that this gentleman did not seek medical treatment until now is actually quite commendable and shows strong dedication to his religious beliefs.

    I doubt many of us would be willing to do the same for the sake of our religion.

  8. Bryan
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 4:18 pm

    That’s a big tumor. Makes my fretting about a skin tag seem kind of melodramatic.

  9. stevo
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 4:40 pm

    JTPednaud, yeah it looks like his religious beliefs are giving him such hope and comfort during those times of his ‘sullen fatalism’. (From the OP).

  10. Jennifer
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 6:27 pm

    Yeah, if he’d rather follow the dictates of some make believe fantasy creature then why not refocus energies on someone who wants a surgery? There’s people all over the world who would like tumors like that removed, but because they live in mostly third-world nations do not have the option to receive or seek medical attention.

    On the flip side, maybe his ‘god’ wants him to have this tumor? Maybe this ‘god’ finds it really funny that this is a treatable medical condition and is playing a joke with the guy, seeing how much he’ll tolerate his stupid rules. Just like Job huh?

  11. biltmore
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 7:06 pm

    Yikes poor guy, but he’s just another brainwashed religous person tho. I don’t have any sympathy for them.

  12. Jonn
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 9:12 pm

    Sheep do not do what is sensible until it is way beyond reason.

    Darwin anyone?

  13. Louisa
    Dec 10th, 2007 at 9:34 pm

    OMG! This is ridiculous! Someone sane needs to take control here.

  14. L.T.
    Dec 11th, 2007 at 3:06 am

    “Either God doesn’t exist, or He’s unimaginably cruel.” – Dr. House

  15. Edward
    Dec 11th, 2007 at 4:20 am

    Assuming that someone who looks like that actually exists (good call, tamiii), his choice of not undergoing treatment has nothing to do with being a Jehovah’s Witness.

  16. musca
    Dec 11th, 2007 at 4:21 am

    I could not beleive that some posters actually advocate for this guy’s stupidity. What about the sister who does not share the belief and still have to shoulder the burden of taking care of him ??

  17. Marie Issah
    Dec 11th, 2007 at 10:10 am

    Oh my! Dr. House!!!!

  18. Jeff
    Dec 11th, 2007 at 10:00 pm

    Maybe God really wants stupid people to be so ugly they can’t possibly reproduce.

  19. Ali S.
    Dec 12th, 2007 at 5:20 am

    If anything one could just knock him out and take care of it. Afterwards when he’s all angry about it hand him a mirror.

  20. She
    Dec 17th, 2007 at 12:31 am

    Jehovah’s Witnesses do not refuse medical treatment – ony blood transfusions. There is no religious reason why he should refuse an operation with a non-blood transfusion. He makes all of the JWs look bad.

  21. gabby
    Oct 1st, 2008 at 7:47 pm

    WOW . i want u

  22. Robspace 1
    Oct 28th, 2008 at 7:15 am

    I saw the show on TLC and his sister has been taking care of him all his life and saved money to take him to a DR. in London. They get there and he decides against the surgery because they need to do blood transfusions. Because he’s a Jehovas Witness, he refused, so they said they could still do it in small sessions. He had still not decided and his poor sister was really mad. The last I heard he agreed to the surgery but now there is word that he died having it done. I don’t know.


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