Theary's face reconfigured in Melbourne
April 11, 2011
Rescued from the streets of Cambodia with a birthmark obscuring her face, Theary Pen Chan Sokun has endured much hardship in her short life.
But things are looking up after the Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale arranged to fly the five-year-old to Melbourne for life-changing surgery to remove the potentially cancerous birthmark.
The congenital hair nevus covering Theary's right cheek and nose was predicted to lead to eyesight problems and possible brain tumours. The mark also attracted stares and taunts and left her ostracised.
'The kids didn't like to play or study with her because they thought she was ugly' said her aunt, Shuley Pen Chan, who travelled to Melbourne with Theary and her adoptive mother, Vaesna, for surgery.
Theary on arrival.
Her adoptive family found her abandoned as a baby at a Buddhist temple and could not find anyone to treat her in Phnom Penh. But last year's chance meeting between the family and Pascoe Vale president, Peter Toomey, turned everything around.
Through Peter Toomey, ROMAC arranged for surgeon, Mr Tony Holmes - who help separate the conjoined twins, Trishna and Krishna - to perform the surgery at Mercy Private Hospital at no cost to the family.
The two stage operation began in February when Tony Holmes sculpted Theary's new nose and ear.
He inserted a skin expander (medical balloon) beneath the skin of her abdomen, which expanded over several weeks to create surplus skin for grafting.
Last month he removed the nevus and and grafted on the skin.
Nursing director Janine Loader said that Theary was one of Tony Holmes' best patients. 'She is such a gorgeous little girl'.
Mr Toomey, whose club donated $20,000 for travel costs also praised Theary for her resilience and her positive attitude throughout the procedure. Theary had told him ' I know it will be painful but it's going to make me pretty'.
Shuley said the family would always be grateful for the help.
'She's a lucky girl; the operation has changed her life' Shuley said. 'Thank you is not enough but there's no other word'.
May 4, 2011
Theary had a further operation on Wednesday, April 6 from which she recovered well. She may be allowed to go home towards the end of May depending on whether further skin grafts are needed.. Her surgeon, Mr Tony Holmes was awarded a PHF by RC of Pascoe Vale in recognition of his work with Theary.
In the photo are
pictured Janine Loader (Director of Nursing at the Mercy Hospital),
Tony Holmes and ROMAC Southern Region director, John Benger, with Theary at the PHF presentation.
June 20, 2011
Our cheery little girl attended The Shane Warne Foundation's Benefactor Day at a cold and windswept Luna Park in Melbourne on Friday, June 17 along with many other children who are also the recipients of support from TSWF and their parents.
Theary enjoyed seeing the face painting, the rides and all the other special activities which appeal so much to children.
Theary with St Kilda footballer Leigh Montagna.
