Special project: Rotary Overseas Medical Aid for Children - Theary

Rotary Overseas Medical Aid for Children – Theary 

Theary’s Story
Theary arrived in Australia from Cambodia in January, 2011, to have a large “hairy naevus” birthmark removed from her face. Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children, (ROMAC), Southern Region, took responsibility for organising the medical procedures and care for Theary whilst in Australia. ROMAC was able to gain the services of Plastic Surgeon, Mr Tony Holmes, and the Mercy Private hospital agreed to the use of their facilities free of charge.

The Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale undertook several projects to raise funds for ROMAC. Surgeon, Tony Holmes, arranged for Theary to be examined by himself and 6 other surgeons to finalise a plan for the surgical procedures. In February, Theary was admitted to Mercy Private Hospital The first of a series of operations was performed to remove the birthmark. During the 3-hour operation 40% of the birthmark was removed and a surgical balloon was inserted into her tummy to grow skin to be used for plastic surgery once the birthmark is fully removed. Theary made an excellent recovery from the operation with the next operation planned to take place in about 8 weeks’ time. Following the surgeries at Mercy Hospital, Theary returned to Cambodia on 22 June, 2011.

If the operation had not been performed Theary would have eyesight problems on the side of the face where to birthmark is and she could possibly develop brain cancer in her early teenage years. Another operation was required to complete the treatment which required an expander bag to be placed in her neck to stretch the skin. This excess skin was used to cover scarring on her face from the previous operations.

Even at this young age Theary was subject to ridicule from other children at the school she attended. Since the operation the ridicule has ceased and Theary’s health and confidence have improved remarkably. She has been attending two schools – an English School in the morning and a Cambodian school in the afternoon. Her family hope to enrol Theary into the internationally recognised “Home of English” school.

Smiles for Theary
Life-changing surgery after chance meeting
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 hairy 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 think she is ugly,” said her aunt Shuley Pen Chan, who travelled to Melbourne with Theary and her adoptive mother, Vaesna, for the surgery.

Her adoptive family found her abandoned as a baby at a Buddhist temple and could not find anybody to treat her in Phnom Penh. But last year’s chance meeting between Pascoe Vale Rotary President Peter Toomey turned everything round.

Through Mr Toomey Rotary Oceania Medical aid for Children arranged for plastic surgeon, Tony Holmes – who helped separate Bangladesh’s conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna – to perform the surgery at Mercy Private Hospital at no cost to the he family.

The two-stage operation began in February when Dr Holmes sculptured 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.

Chief nursing director Janine Loader said Theary was one of Dr Holmes best patients. “She’s a gorgeous little girl.” Ms Loader said.

Mr Toomey, whose club donated $20,000 for travel costs, also praised Theary for her resilience and positive attitude throughout the procedure. “She said “Yes I know it’s going to be painful, but it’s going to make me pretty.” Mr Toomey said. Shuley said the family will always be grateful for the help. “She’s a lucky girl; It changed her life,” Shuley said. “Thank you is not enough, but there is no other word”.

Reference: Front Page Article, Moreland Leader Newspaper Monday, May 2, 2011
Report by: Tessa Hoffman

Tony Holmes
At the 28 April 2011 weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale, a Paul Harris Fellowship presentation was made to guest speaker, Tony Holmes.

Tony Holmes is currently Head of Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital. He was previously Director of the Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery from 1990 to 2003 Mr Holmes set up the Melbourne Craniofacial Unit in 1979 which is now a leading world centre.

Mr Holmes also works privately at the Victoria Plastic surgery Unit at the Mercy Private Hospital. He was previously a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Royal Melbourne hospital (1978 – 1990) and remains an Honorary Consultant there and at the Royal Women’s Hospital.

Mr Holmes as the founder and board member of Jigsaw Foundation (previously the Melbourne Children’s Craniofacial Foundation of Australasia). This was established in 1990 to promote charitable and private funding for research, education and training in the area of craniofacial surgery and is committed to changing children’s lives for the better.

Tony commented on two specific operations he has conducted recently including the procedure undertaken for Theary. At one stage he described the process as nothing more than a bit of carpentry work… like no carpentry work I have ever seen. An incredibly modest surgeon and talented individual who has built a world class unit with specialist resources in Victoria and contributed so much to global good-will and the improvement of children’s lives.

Tony was honoured to receive the recognition from the Club. An honour that his father had previously received. In 2019, Tony was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to medicine, particularly to reconstructive and craniological surgery as a leader, clinician and educator”.
Reference: Changeover Bulletin, 2 July 2011