Woman who died six times while doctors tried to remove 40lbs tumor explains how it made her see the ‘world differently’

A young woman named Ariana Pulido went through an extraordinary and life-threatening medical journey that has completely changed how she views the world. When she was just 22 years old, doctors discovered tumors on her ovaries, and in July 2023, she underwent surgery to have them removed. It was a difficult experience, but at the time, Ariana thought it was over and that she was finally on the road to recovery.

However, only a month later, she began experiencing a sudden, sharp pain in her shoulder. Doctors quickly ran tests and discovered something alarming — a third tumor, this time on her liver. It was growing rapidly. They tried chemotherapy to slow it down or shrink it, but unfortunately, the treatment didn’t work. The tumor was too aggressive, and the only possible way to save her was through surgery.

That surgery, however, came with enormous risks. The tumor was incredibly large — weighing 40 pounds — and had grown around major blood vessels. The operation would be extremely complicated, and just getting her under anesthesia was dangerous. In fact, when doctors tried to put Ariana to sleep for the operation, her heart stopped — not once, but six times. Each time they tried to sedate her, she flatlined. Eventually, her medical team told her family that surgery wasn’t possible and suggested hospice care, which is often given when there’s nothing more doctors can do.

But Ariana and her loved ones didn’t give up. She was transferred to a different hospital, where a team of specialists was willing to try a complex and high-risk approach. In May 2024, she underwent a 14-hour surgery with the help of a special machine that temporarily took over the work of her heart and lungs. This technology allowed the doctors to carefully remove the massive tumor without fatally injuring the delicate and essential blood vessels it was attached to.

Dr. Cristina Ferrone, the lead surgeon, explained how dangerous the procedure was. Because the tumor was wrapped around such important blood vessels, even the slightest mistake could have caused Ariana to die on the operating table. But Ariana kept her faith. She believed that if she was meant to survive, she would — and she did.

The operation was a success. Not only did doctors manage to safely remove the tumor, but Ariana recovered far faster than anyone expected. Just weeks later, she returned to the clinic — not in a wheelchair, but walking through the doors on her own. Her entire medical team was stunned by her strength and resilience. Dr. Ferrone described her as an incredibly strong young woman with an amazing support system around her.

Now, Ariana is happily married and finally able to focus on the future. She says she feels like a completely new person and sees life in a different way. Having gone through something so intense and surviving when even the doctors had given up hope, she appreciates every day as a gift. She says that every single day is a positive one now, and she’s living her life to the fullest — grateful, hopeful, and deeply changed by what she’s been through.