KOTA BARU: An eleven-year-old girl has had to endure pain and limited mobility because of a large tumour in her stomach.

Since being diagnosed with the tumour, or teratoma, in Aug 2021, Nor Ariana Mohd Shahrul Afendi has had to quit school and the growth has now exceeded 30cm.

Nor Ariana’s mother, Siti Nazirah Razali, 33 said in Aug 2021, her daughter was rushed to Raja Perempuan Zainab Hospital II (HRPZ II) after complaining of stomach pain and was eventually referred to Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian.

She said the specialist at HUSM confirmed that her daughter was suffering from teratoma or a growth in the stomach and that she would have to undergo chemotherapy.

“After six cycles of chemotherapy, the growth in my daughter’s stomach did not show any signs of change. She can’t even walk and has been bedridden for the past four months.

“Nor Ariana should be undergoing an operation, but the risk is too high,” she said when met at their house in Kampung Pauh Belukar, Badang, on Jalan PCB here today.

Siti Nazirah said she and her husband, Mohd Shahrul Afendi Mat, 36, took their daughter who is the eldest child to seek treatment in Kuantan, Pahang.

“After a year of treatment, my daughter is now healthier and can walk even though her stomach is still big and bloated.

“However our daughter is still unable to go back to school and resume her education because of the high risk involved and because she cannot sit for very long,” she said.

Siti Nazirah said her daughter received RM500 monthly aid from the Welfare Department since last March, apart from being helped by relatives, neighbours aid groups.

Nor Ariana said she missed school, though she understands why she is unable to do so because her stomach keeps getting bigger and bigger.

“I hope to regain my good health once again because I want to go back to school. So far to make up for being unable to attend school I have been keeping myself occupied by reading books at home,” she said.

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