12/10/2007
By DI THOMAS
The Border Mail (Wodonga, Vic, Australia)
HER final stitches were removed yesterday morning and the swelling is yet to subside completely but Cambodian teenager Dalin Chy, 14, is looking forward to moving out of her hospital bed.
The young girl, who underwent a marathon seven-hour operation last week at the Albury-Wodonga Private Hospital to remove a benign tumour from the left side of her neck, has lost none of her shy smile but has won plenty of hearts during her visit to the Border.
There have been plenty of well-wishers and a colourful quilt was given to Dalin to take home from the Murray River Quilters Group.
Her carer and interpreter, Sorphany Kith, said Dalin was now looking forward to returning home to her parents, brothers and sister.
“She is asking many questions about when we go home,” she said.
“She has talked to her mother over the telephone and has asked how everyone in her family is — what her father is doing and whether her brothers have gone to school.”
Dalin had warmed to hospital’s nursing and medical staff but not necessarily to Australian food, Miss Kith said.
Director of clinical services at the Albury-Wodonga Private Hospital, Robin Haberecht, said her staff’s experience in looking after Dalin during her stay had been “fantastic”.
“They have found it very satisfying to support a patient during a high dependency situation such as this,” Ms Haberecht said.
“It hasn’t been an easy recovery for Dalin. She has been in a lot of pain at times but she has had excellent support from the medical and nursing staff and in the past two days she has improved rapidly.
“We have really felt for her. She has been so co-operative and has been so brave. She has never not done what we have asked her to do.”
Dalin will enjoy another week in Australia before she flies home on October 19.
Accompanying her will be ear, nose and throat surgeon Kevin Holwell who will make one of his twice-yearly trips to Cambodia with hearing aid specialist Terry Ryan, giving him the chance to keep an eye on Dalin’s progress.
One of his most immediate concerns is trying to see if Dalin can go to school for the first time when she returns home as part of her ongoing recovery.
The teenager was born with the tumour, but it had grown to the point in recent years where it had not only affected her breathing but had prevented her from receiving any education.
But Mr Holwell said Dalin’s rural-based family was poor and he hoped someone might be willing to fund her education.
West Albury Rotary Club president Terry Hudson said the club was seeking further donations toward the Cambodia aid program and he can be contacted on (02) 6023 6606.
Contact Mr Holwell about Dalin’s education on 0408 690 665.
The young girl, who underwent a marathon seven-hour operation last week at the Albury-Wodonga Private Hospital to remove a benign tumour from the left side of her neck, has lost none of her shy smile but has won plenty of hearts during her visit to the Border.
There have been plenty of well-wishers and a colourful quilt was given to Dalin to take home from the Murray River Quilters Group.
Her carer and interpreter, Sorphany Kith, said Dalin was now looking forward to returning home to her parents, brothers and sister.
“She is asking many questions about when we go home,” she said.
“She has talked to her mother over the telephone and has asked how everyone in her family is — what her father is doing and whether her brothers have gone to school.”
Dalin had warmed to hospital’s nursing and medical staff but not necessarily to Australian food, Miss Kith said.
Director of clinical services at the Albury-Wodonga Private Hospital, Robin Haberecht, said her staff’s experience in looking after Dalin during her stay had been “fantastic”.
“They have found it very satisfying to support a patient during a high dependency situation such as this,” Ms Haberecht said.
“It hasn’t been an easy recovery for Dalin. She has been in a lot of pain at times but she has had excellent support from the medical and nursing staff and in the past two days she has improved rapidly.
“We have really felt for her. She has been so co-operative and has been so brave. She has never not done what we have asked her to do.”
Dalin will enjoy another week in Australia before she flies home on October 19.
Accompanying her will be ear, nose and throat surgeon Kevin Holwell who will make one of his twice-yearly trips to Cambodia with hearing aid specialist Terry Ryan, giving him the chance to keep an eye on Dalin’s progress.
One of his most immediate concerns is trying to see if Dalin can go to school for the first time when she returns home as part of her ongoing recovery.
The teenager was born with the tumour, but it had grown to the point in recent years where it had not only affected her breathing but had prevented her from receiving any education.
But Mr Holwell said Dalin’s rural-based family was poor and he hoped someone might be willing to fund her education.
West Albury Rotary Club president Terry Hudson said the club was seeking further donations toward the Cambodia aid program and he can be contacted on (02) 6023 6606.
Contact Mr Holwell about Dalin’s education on 0408 690 665.
1 comment:
Looking forward to see you soon, baby, and thank to all the kind surgeons and people who help to save her life.
God blesses all!
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