SEPANG: “Alhamdulillah, Ainul is healthy. Thank You, Malaysians for your encouragement and prayers.”
This is what a grateful Ahmad Safiuddin Ahmad Razak, 24, father of 11-month-old Ainul Mardhiah who underwent surgery for a Germ Cell Tumour in London said upon returning home.
Safiuddin, his wife Nurul Erwani Zaidi, 23 and Ainul Mardhiah arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) early this morning via Malaysia Airlines Flight MH0003.
Safiuddin said his daughter was in good spirits throughout the 12-hour journey from London.
“Alhamdulillah, everything is ok. We arrived safely and there were no problems encountered during the flight.
“Thank you to all of you for waiting here (KLIA) and thank you to Malaysians for their prayers and good wishes,” he said.
Upon arrival, Ainul Mardhiah was transferred via ambulance to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) for further follow-up treatment and monitoring.
On the return trip home, Ainul Mardhiah and her parents were accompanied by
Avisena Hospital Anesthesiologist and Critical Care Specialist, Dr (B) Datuk Dr Jaseemudeen Abu Baker and Subang Jaya Medical Critical Care Specialist, Dr Gunalan Arumugam.
The toddler reached London on May 25 and has been hospitalised for the past two months at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS.
Ainul Mardhiah underwent a five-hour surgery to remove the 200 grams mouth tumour on June 11 at the hospital.
The operation, estimated to cost more than RM1 million was successfully carried out by a group of surgeons and anesthesiologists, led by the head of the Craniofacial Unit of the hospital, Prof David Dunaway.
Also part of the team was UK-based trainee surgeon Dr Nur Amalina Che Bakri.
Dr Nur Amalina facilitated the surgery through several initiatives, including appealing for help on social media to bring Ainul Mardhiah to London for treatment when chemotherapy failed to control the growth of the tumour.
The toddler was born prematurely and at 3 months old was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer.
She then had her first operation, and later on chemotherapy.
However, the aggressive nature of the cancer saw the growth come back, threatening to “take over” her tiny little face.
