A video about Port, as well as the portrait and more of Murphy’s work, may be seen at Murphy’s Web site, www.mmike.com.

Without the surgeries, Port’s tumor will continue to grow. He doesn’t know at what rate or how much damage it will cause.

“Only God knows,” he said.

Murphy and Port met through a mutual friend about two years ago.

Murphy said he’s been telling Port’s story for about a year and a half, after Port came to his studio asking him to create a video portrait of him to submit to “Extreme Makeover,” a television show that was canceled a few years ago.

Socially, his life has been difficult. People often don’t take the time to know Port for himself, and young children are afraid of him.

“They think I’m a monster,” he said. “That upsets me.”

He was engaged to a “kind, sweet-hearted girl for awhile,” but she ended it.

“I think she was worried that if I couldn’t get the surgery, I would die,” Port said.