Charlie Teo’s patient Milli Lucas walks less than 48 hours after surgery

Milli Lucas has battled a terminal brain tumour for three years but is finally up and walking after Dr Charlie Teo’s miracle neurosurgery.

The 12-year-old cancer patient of renowned Australian brain surgeon Charlie Teo is up and walking less than 48 hours after undergoing lifesaving surgery on a malignant tumour.

Amelia Lucas, known affectionately as “Milli”, has battled with terminal brain cancer for the last three years.

In a final bid to save her life, Milli’s family turned to renowned neurosurgeon Dr Teo to perform a highly risky operation on their beloved little girl.

Australians donated more than $160,000 to the Perth family, and Milli was flown to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney for surgery this week.

Milli's mum captured this photo on Tuesday, the day after Milli’s lifesaving surgery. Picture: Facebook/TeamMillstar

UP AND AT EM

But less than 48 hours after enduring a mammoth six-hour surgery on Monday, Milli stunned her family by walking the corridors of her hospital ward.

Her mother, Monica Smirk, posted a video on Milli’s Facebook page, Team Millstar, sharing the phenomenal development with her followers.

“And the little champion is up and at em,” Ms Smirk wrote.

“Walking so well and pacing the corridors.”

Milli Lucas strolls the hospital hall this week. Picture: Facebook/TeamMillstar

She was grinning as she walked by her mother, Monica. Picture: Facebook/TeamMillstar

SURGERY SUCCESS

In the video, Ms Smirk can be heard telling her daughter to “Smile, Mill!”, which sparks a huge grin to spread across the young girl’s face.

“Yipee!” Ms Smirk then says as Milli walks by her.

Her incredible recovery comes just three days after her major surgery.

Updates were posted shortly after the Monday morning surgery, letting Australians everywhere know “Milli is awake and in ICU” and the operation was a success.

According to Ms Smirk, Dr Teo and his colleagues wore “Wish for Milli” scarfs while they operated on the little girl.

“Milli is doing well and now back on the ward,” she said.

Charlie Teo and a colleague wore ‘Wish For MIlli' scarfs while they operated on her. Picture: Facebook/TeamMillstar

FIRST WORDS

Just hours after Dr Teo performed the lifesaving surgery on Milli, she was reportedly awake, talking and “smiling”.

Perth Now reported the little girl’s first words after her delicate brain surgery were: “My head feels funny.”

Despite the many risks associated with the procedure, Dr Teo told Milli’s family she sailed through the operation easily.

Just hours after she regained consciousness, Milli requested her catheter be removed that evening “so she can move around and get up”.

“She is proving she deserved this operation thank you again everyone,” Ms Smirk wrote on Facebook.

Milli's mum said her “amazing” daughter was in great shape after her surgery. Picture: Facebook/TeamMillstar

MILLI’S STRUGGLE

Milli has had a long and difficult journey after her diagnosis three years ago.

Doctors told her family surgery to remove the tumour sitting on her brain would be too difficult.

Instead, they recommended chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Eventually, doctors told Milli’s parents she wasn’t responding to treatment and transferred her to palliative care.

In a frantic attempt to save her life, Milli’s family started fundraising to afford the services of renowned brain surgeon, Dr Teo.

Dr Teo told The West Australian the procedure did not come without its challenges but the Lucas family “know the risks”.

Dr Teo said Milli sailed through the complicated surgery. Picture: Facebook/TeamMillstar

Dr Teo described his 12-year-old patient as “beautiful”, “calm” and “courageous”.

“They (Milli’s family) know it’s not curable and could reduce her quality of life, but they just aren’t ready to give up,” Dr Teo said.

“It’s a very brave decision.”

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