A woman who had a leg the same size as an elephant due to a rare condition can now walk again after receiving life-changing treatment.
Roseanne Smith, 54, was only 18 when her ankle and foot began to swell while doctors were flummoxed by what was happening.
She was bullied wherever she went and it was only at age 29 did doctors manage to diagnose her with lymphoedema - an incurable condition where fluids build in up in the arms, legs, face or hands.
It got to the point for Roseanne that she couldn't hide it under clothes.
However, after two years of hard fundraising, she has now flown to South Korea where she was given liposuction and stem cell treatment.
Her leg has reduced in size by around 50% and she's been given a new lease of life. She's even been able to bend her knee for the first time in years.
"It looked like a tree trunk," she said. "When comparing both limbs it was like looking at an elephant's leg and one of a bird."
The physical changes set in overnight for Roseanne when she was just 18 and it severely affected her confidence and prevented her from meeting men and being in relationships.
In 1987 she was relieved to finally be diagnosed with lymphoedema but was distraught to hear the condition was incurable.
Since then she's saved all she could to pay for the treatment that would finally drain her leg. $20,000 and a flight to Seoul, South Korea, later and Roseanne could sit and watch 30 pints of lymphatic fluid drain out of her.
"In the past I couldn't even bend my knee, when I walked I used to have to shuffle my leg across the ground, now I'm relearning to walk around my backyard. It's incredible."
She now needs monthly injections to make sure the swelling continues to reduce. Each one costs $800 and she still needs $11,000 to keep the treatment going.
For more information on Roseanne's fundraising visit: www.gofundme.com/l96yy0
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All images credited to Caters News Agency
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