Tuesday June 13, 2006

GUANGZHOU: It is a day of double joy for Tan Kia Khim who successfully underwent surgery five days ago to remove a large facial tumour.

Kia Khim, who turned 25 yesterday, also saw his face minus the growth for the first time.

After the bandages were removed, he rushed into the bathroom to look at his face in the mirror.

“Not bad. The tumour is gone,” said Kia Khim, with mixed feelings.

“Thank you all Malaysians for the moral support and thank you to those who made it possible for me come here, and thank you to all the doctors,” he said.

Fuda Cancer Hospital threw a party for Kia Khim, a coffeeshop assistant from Alor Star.

In the same ward another Malaysian Hong Siew Hui,18, was resting after her first stage surgery on June 8 to remove her facial tumour.

Kia Khim’s father Seong Meng, 50, was by his side to help him blow out the candles as were the hospital’s doctors and nurses.

Present were Associate Prof Dr Niu Li-Zhi, who is also the hospital's vice president, Kedah Chinese Assembly Hall (KCAH) president Datuk Wong Gin Chee, and KCAH special medical fund chairman Khor Soon Lai.

Kia Khim made a wish for a quick recovery and homecoming before blowing out the candles and cutting the cake.

Dr Niu said Kia Khim would have to undergo a few minor surgeries within six months to make his face look much better, adding that the scars would disappear over time.