![before your eyes ending before your eyes ending](https://digitalsynopsis.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/movies-before-after-green-screen-cgi-hobbit-2.jpg)
If you've never experienced chronic pain as a child, especially severe chronic pain, let me tell you, it is terrifying, which I think is what the monstrous, almost alien design of the red thing represents. The Red Thing: I'm pretty sure it's supposed to symbolize pain since it lessons when he administers his IV pain medication. Everything he saw is explainable through symbolism, the effects of chronic illness/pain, and a child's imagination: While I can perfectly see your point of view, I don't think Ben was hallucinating (at least, not most of the time). Here's where I'm going to get into disagreements with the interpretation of the visuals. I think if Ben had lung cancer, the developers would've shown an X-Ray with clear indications of it. There's not much else to say for this point. There are no signs of lung cancer in this X-Ray as far as I can see (but, to be fair, I'm also not a doctor). Lung Cancer: In my opinion, this one is the least likely of the three, especially when you consider the X-Ray. Lung infections can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain, and cause seizures and death. Ben could've also experienced episodes of respiratory failure or asphyxiation, which could explain why his mom kept freaking out. This diagnosis would also give a reason for ventilation, and perhaps, PVC. A weak immune system could explain why he got sick so easily after the night at the beach (if you chose to go) and perhaps why he first went in for a check-up (he may have shown symptoms of cough/flu that weren't improving, which might be why doctors ordered a chest X-Ray). If this were the case, it would explain why he would have a more challenging time recovering from a lung infection.
![before your eyes ending before your eyes ending](https://amritclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Under-Eye-Dark-Circles-2.jpg)
While, again, it's rare for US kids to die of pneumonia, we can't rule out whether or not Ben had an underlying autoimmune disorder or illness that weakened his immune system.
![before your eyes ending before your eyes ending](https://www.learning-mind.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mouthshuteyesopen.jpg)
Now, this could be due to the game's art style (it would also explain why the reflection of the X-Ray image and why the heart is on the right side), but this cloudiness is also common in some forms of pneumonia or other lung infections. The clearness of the X-Ray is debatable: In a healthy chest X-Ray, you should be able to see the dorsal part of the ribs, but in Ben's, you can't. Pneumonia/Other Lung Infection: I know death by pneumonia, especially in children in the US, isn't common, but hear me out. I could be completely wrong about that, though, and brain cancer perfectly explains hallucination if that's the case. I also don't think he was hallucinating in the game, but I'll get into that later in the comment. The alternative use of color in his art isn't unusual at all and is likely just a showcase of his creativity (especially that of a talented child). His struggle with school is probably just due to him focusing more on his doodles. I could see how one could associate his mood swings with his condition, but it could just as likely be the result of him struggling to cope with his situation. However, it's not certain whether or not some of his behaviors were due to an illness. It would also explain why Ben would be having seizures if that were confirmed (it's pretty likely). Cancer of the brain tends to take its victims quickly, which would explain the rate of progression of Ben's illness. This diagnosis would also explain the other tests ordered (such as the MRI) and Ben's treatment (PVC and ventilation). I will separate my sections by each illness and argue why Ben may have had it.īrain Cancer: I agree with you that if Ben had cancer, it was most likely this type because there are no signs of lung cancer on the X-Ray.
![before your eyes ending before your eyes ending](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFyw6rn5Lwc/Uj0p_5xFk_I/AAAAAAAAQHQ/X_MPk3GtrA0/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/2013-08-30+138.png)
While I'm not a doctor, I have had a few chronic health conditions since birth/childhood, and I have researched the topics discussed here before commenting, so I'm not speaking out of my ass.I think the three strongest possibilities are Brain Cancer, Pneumonia/Other Lung Infection, and Lung Cancer. This doesn't narrow down the list of possible illnesses as much as desired, but I think we have some pretty good ideas of what Ben may have had. His condition was very painful (hence the PCA)īen's illness most likely doesn't have the best survival rate He did not get this illness because of his night at the beach with Chloe (he dies of this illness even if he doesn't go but doesn't show symptoms as quickly) Even the little information given to us could point us in the direction of innumerable illnesses. It's most nearly impossible to know what condition Ben had without the developers telling us since there's very little information to go off of.