'Charlie is the man!' Brave girl, 12, stuns her family with her first words as she comes through with flying colours after risky brain surgery by Dr Charlie Teo
- Amelia 'Milli' Lucas's family has revealed her brain surgery was a success
- The 12-year-old's mother announced Dr Charlie Teo 'got all' of the tumour
- Family crowdfunded $160,000 for her surgery via GoFundMe, sparking debate
A 12-year-old girl whose family raised $160,000 for surgery by Professor Charlie Teo has spoken for the first time since the operation.
'My head feels funny,' said brave Amelia Lucas when she came to in Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital on Monday.
Her mother Monica Smirk breathed a sigh of relief and comforted her little one.
The youngster went into surgery just before 7am on Monday in a last ditch attempt to remove her brain tumour and prolong her life.
Going in: Amelia 'Milli' Lucas (left) has been praised for her courage ahead of her life-saving brain surgery by renowned surgeon Dr Charlie Teo (right)
On Wednesday Ms Smirk shared a picture (above) of Professor Teo and captioned it: 'Seriously could this man get any better?!!'
Hours later, Ms Smirk said the operation was a success.
'She's recouping better than the first operation she had (in 2016) and she's talking,' Ms Smirk told the West Australian. 'Charlie is the man!
'She is lifting her arms and legs, she's awake, talking and smiling.'
On Wednesday Ms Smirk shared a picture of Professor Teo and captioned it: 'Seriously could this man get any better?!!
'Wanted to make sure I got the photo this morning of them both wearing Wish For Milli scarves while operating on her
'Milli is doing well and now back on ward.'
Announcing the procedure was a success on Monday, Ms Smirk wrote: 'Milli's awake and in ICU, operation was a success, Charlie has got it all and her right leg and arm is moving but don't know yet to what extent'.
'Thank you everyone one of you for your support and love. She's so amazing'.
The little girl was all smiles as she was taken into the operating theatre for surgery, but the procedure was not without risks.
The 12-year-old's father, Grant Lucas, confirmed on Facebook just before 7am this morning Milli (pictured) had gone into surgery, saying: 'Keep everything crossed'
Milli's mother shared the good news on Facebook, announcing the procedure was a success
Doctors said the operation could leave her with permanent weakness in one side of her body, or at worst, coma or paralysis.
Milli arrived in Sydney from her home of Western Australia last week after her family crowdfunded $160,000 for her treatment.
Dr Teo said while the future was often grim for those who undergo the high-risk procedure, Milli should be commended for her courage and bravery.
'Milli's just the most beautiful, calm, courageous girl,' Dr Teo told The West Australian on Sunday.
'She has a very strong will to live.'
Dr Teo said the type of tumour Milli had and its difficult location made the procedure even more precarious for surgeons, however, she and her family knew that.
'They (the family) know the risks, they know it's not curative and could reduce her quality of life, but they just aren't ready to give up. It's a very brave decision,' he said.
Appearing on Today Tonight , her distraught parents, Monica (left) and Grant (right) claimed doctors in Western Australia had refused to carry out the procedure amid fears of paralysis
Milli (pictured) was diagnosed with an aggressive and malignant brain tumour in January 2016 - the same form of cancer that claimed the life of her seven-year-old cousin in 2007
The surgery was made possible after a successful gofundme campaign raised more than $160,000, which helped pay for Milli's (left) medical costs and accommodation
He said the life-changing procedure would hopefully improve Milli's quality of life and give her more time with her family.
Milli's parents had to crowdfund $160,000 for the surgery - sparking a national debate about controversial surgeon Dr Teo's pricey fees.
Cancer surgeon Professor Henry Woo set off a firestorm last week when he tweeted about Milli's surgery.
'Something is seriously wrong if a terminally ill girl with a brain tumour has to raise $120K to have surgery Dr Charlie Teo has offered to do for $60-80K,' he said.
'If it was valid surgery, it could/should be performed in the public system under Medicare #auspol.'
The surgery was made possible after the GoFundMe campaign, which helped pay for her medical costs and accommodation.
Her older sister Tess, 15, was also diagnosed with brain tumour but she has since been given the all-clear
Milli (pictured left with her father Grant), along with most of her family, has a rare genetic condition called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, which predisposes her to a wide range of cancers
Milli was diagnosed with an aggressive and malignant brain tumour in January 2016 - the same form of cancer that claimed the life of her seven-year-old cousin in 2007.
Despite undergoing a series of treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, her brain tumour doubled in size within four months.
Appearing on Today Tonight, her distraught parents claimed doctors in Western Australia had refused to carry out the procedure amid fears of paralysis.
'It's the biggest pain that you could ever imagine with your child,' her mother Monica said as she broke down in tears.
In a last ditch attempt, Dr Charlie Teo offered to do the $60,000-$80,000 procedure, but confessed it was going to be one of his most challenging surgeries.
Despite being criticised for accepting crowdfunded money, Dr Teo defended his price, blaming Australia's 'excessive' private health system.
'The difference between [the] public and private cost of medicine needs to be discussed,' Dr Teo said.
'But what you have to remember is that of that $120,000 [charged for surgery] most people think it all goes to me, and that's not the case at all.'
He said while $80,000 goes to the private hospital, the remaining $40,000 was shared between the assistant, anaesthetist, radiologist, radiographer and intensivist.
Milli's mother, Monica Smirk, said the decision to allow Milli to go under the knife wasn't easy, but given the circumstances, there had been no other alternatives.
The 12-year-old, along with most of her family, has a rare genetic condition called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, which predisposes her to a wide range of cancers.
Her older sister Tess, 15, was also diagnosed with brain tumour but she has since been given the all-clear.
Despite being criticised for accepting crowdfunded money, Dr Teo (pictured) defended his price, blaming Australia's 'excessive' private health system
- Brave Perth girl Milli Lucas enjoys pasta, ice-cream on eve of dangerous brain surgery | The West Australian
- www.gofundme.com...
- Acclaimed brain surgeon Professor Charlie Teo defends prices for his life saving-expertise - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
- ‘She’s awake, talking and smiling’: Marvellous Milli Lucas recovering from life-saving surgery | The West Australian
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
