A north-east pensioner dubbed the Elephant Man due to his three-stone leg has conceded amputation may be the only end to his nightmare.
Rosehearty man Michael Cull has been living in agony with elephantiasis on his left leg for more than a decade.
Last year he accused doctors of turning their backs on him after planned surgery to remove excess flesh from the limb was called off.
Now the 66-year-old believes the end of his suffering may be in sight, with doctors willing to operate on him within months.
However, Mr Cull revealed he will have to meet with a psychiatrist first to hep him come to terms with the impact of amputation.
He said: “They’ll analyse me for a possible operation.
“It might have to be amputation. That’s my understanding, anyway. But I’ve been promised this before, so I’m not holding my breath too much. I’ve had disappointments before, so I’ll wait until I get the confirmation.
“I’ve got the feeling it might happen this time, though. They’re saying they are doing all they can and I’m prepared for it if it is the safer option. It’s getting to the stage now where I just can’t take much more.”
The former Nasa scientist is due to meet a clinical psychiatrist by next month.
Earlier this year, Mr Cull looked into the option of travelling to India to have surgery to remove the excess flesh on his leg.
He had planned to launch a funding campaign to raise the £12,000 needed to fly there and back, however those plans are now on hold.
“It’s on the back burner just in case I get messed around much longer,” he said.
The growth, which requires custom-made trousers, first appeared after Mr Cull was in a car crash while living in London.
He has been for a string of tests at hospitals north and south of the border over the last 11 years, but none of the experts he has consulted have been able to find a way to end his misery.
Previously, a spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said it remained “fully committed” to Mr Cull.
The Scottish Government added that it supported efforts to find a treatment option.
“Decisions about medical care are a matter for clinicians, and the Scottish Government is supportive of Mr Cull receiving the most appropriate treatment for this highly specialised condition,” a spokeswoman said.
“Any patient who is not satisfied with their treatment should discuss their concerns with the lead clinician responsible for their healthcare in the first instance.”