Nine-year old Mithushi told her mum not to cry when she was going for her operation. Bravely, she faced the 5-hour spinal cord surgery, which was a success. Mithushi is now on her way to recovery. Picture:Everyone wishing Mithushi early recovery after the successful surgery.【Photograph by Yong Siew Lee】

Teachers and children of Tzu Chi kindergarten praying for Mithushi to have a successful surgery.

Mithushi kneeling down to pay her respect to the teacher.

Mithushi's spinal cord needs to be corrected as soon as possible to avoid further deterioration as she grows.

Mithushi asking her mother to be strong.

The videographer put down his equipment to say a prayer with Kusumalatha so as to calm her down.

Shanthi and Kusumalatha, now in a foreign land for their daughters' surgery, helped and supported each other.

Both Madushi and Mithushi suffered from congenital scoliosis. They came to Malaysia from Sri Lanka in early July for treatment under the sponsorship of Tzu Chi. Both had successfully undergone surgery to correct their spines; and they will be going home soon.

Mithushi had the surgery on August 3, 2008. Her doctor, Dr. Thirukumaran, informed that Mithushi only needed to have her spinal cord corrected with connecting bar and bone-screws.

Bless you, Mithushi!

Kusumalatha is a single-parent, and Mithushi is her only child. They have only each other since Mithushi was very young. As such, the mother was tormented by worries for her daughter's operation. To relieve their anxieties, Tzu Chi volunteers brought them to Seck Kia Eenh to see the Sri Lankan Dharma Master-in-residence to seek blessings before the surgery.

The Sri Lankan Dharma Master expressed great concern for Mithushi, as well as, Madushi who already had her surgery. He conducted a prayer for them and reminded the volunteers to give comfort to Mithushi when she is hospitalized. Kusumalatha was very happy to receive blessing from the Master and she expressed her gratitude by giving the volunteers a tight embrace.

Mithusi had served as a 'loving sister' at Tzu Chi's kindergarten for nearly a month prior to her operation. On August 1, the children from the kindergarten threw a party to wish her well for the operation. Greeting cards, biscuits and toys were also presented to Mithusi; and each child took turns to give her a warm embrace. Some even gave her a kiss. Although they could not communicate with words, they succeeded in expressing their love and care with their gestures. 

A very polite Mithusi greeted the teachers with prostration. This act moved the teachers to tears. Teacher Ye Jin Min, who hosted the party, took the opportunity to tell the children to take Mithushi as an example of how one must respect their teacher and value their teachings.

The gathering was both solemn and warm. The teachers, 'loving mothers' (volunteers who help in the class) and the children prayed and sang a song, entitled "Spread out the love", for her.

Mithushi and the children happily left the gathering hand-in-hand, with a long line in tow.

Love is everywhere

On August 3, at 6am, Mithushi first prostrated in front of her mother and volunteers in attendance before departing for the hospital. Mithushi looked very courageous and jovial. She sang happily in the ward, unlike a patient who was about to go into the operating theater. Volunteer Li Jia Yi gave her a handmade greeting card written in Singhalese.
Mithushi belongs to a rare blood group. Only her mother's blood type matches, hence she immediately donated her blood for emergency use. She even asked the nurses to draw as much as possible. Volunteers also contacted people with O- and B- blood type to be on standby, and many responded.

Mithushi told her mum not to cry when she was going for her surgery. But, after Mithushi was wheeled into the operating theatre, Kusumalatha broke down and cried.

The video department of Tzu Chi Malacca covered the news on Mithushi and Madushi. On the day of Mithushi's operation, Luo Hui Yao (a staff member) did the recording. Seeing Kusumalatha’s distraught reaction, Luo put down his equipment and asked all present to put their palms together and pray for her to remain calm.

Five hours later, when the doctor announced the completion and success of the surgery, Kusumalatha finally smiled.

Mithushi is recovering

Mithushi was transferred to the common ward two days later. Accompanied by her mother as well as Madushi and her mother, Shanthi, and a few other volunteers, the entourage sang a song as they proceeded to the common ward.

The active Mithushi wanted to turn her body, but Madushi advised her not to move too much in order to recover faster. Madushi’s mother Shanthi said, "I am as happy as seeing my own daughter recovering."

When asked about her feeling, Mithushi said, "I am very happy. I want to thank those who did the surgery and everyone who has helped me." A smiling Kusumalatha thanked Dharma Master Cheng Yen and all Tzu Chi volunteers for changing her daughter's life.

It is our sincere wish to see Mithushi recovering steadily under everyone's love and care.