Less than 24 hours after undergoing lifesaving surgery by Dr Charlie Teo, brave Milli Lucas smiled from ear to ear as she thanked her supporters from her hospital bed.
The 12-year-old girl made her first public appearance since her operation on Tuesday when she was visited by Today Tonight's Mark Gibson.
'My head's a bit sore', she said while recovering at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital.
'I'm OK. I'm doing well. Thank you for all your help.'
The youngster went into a six-hour surgery just before 7am on Monday in a last-ditch attempt to remove her brain tumour and prolong her life.
Her family had crowdfunded $160,000 to pay for her surgery.
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Beaming: Brave Milli Lucas, 12, smiled from ear to ear, hours after undergoing a risky brain operation
The youngster (pictured before the procedure) went into a six-hour surgery just before 7am on Monday in a last-ditch attempt to remove her brain tumour and prolong her life.
On Wednesday Ms Smirk shared a picture (above) of Professor Teo (right) and captioned it: 'Seriously could this man get any better?!!'
Hours later, her mother Monica Smirk announced the operation was a success.
Milli has since been taken out of the ICU, has enjoyed her first post-surgery meal, and is now recovering in the paediatric ward.
The young girl's battle with brain cancer had received national attention after her family was forced to raise money for the procedure performed by Dr Teo.
The surgeon spoke for the first time since the operation, admitting the procedure was one of the 'more difficult' that he's done in his career.
'It went into the brain stem, the no-go zone where most people don't operate', he said, explaining the surgery put Milli at risk of paralysis, coma and death.
Dr Teo was able to remove 98 per cent of the girl's tumour, and has referred her to specialists in Germany who will work on getting rid of the remaining two per cent.
Earlier, Ms Smirk told the West Australian Milli was 'recouping better than the first operation she had (in 2016) and she's talking'.
'Charlie is the man!' she said.
'She is lifting her arms and legs, she's awake, talking and smiling'.
She shared a picture of Dr Teo and captioned it: 'Seriously could this man get any better?!!'
The 12-year-old's father, Grant Lucas, confirmed on Facebook just before 7am Monday morning that Milli (pictured with Dr Teo) had gone into surgery, saying: 'Keep everything crossed'
Milli's mother shared the good news on Facebook, announcing the procedure was a success
Appearing on Today Tonight , her distraught parents, Monica (left) and Grant (right) claimed doctors in Western Australia had refused to carry out the procedure amid fears of paralysis
'Wanted to make sure I got the photo this morning of them both wearing Wish For Milli scarves while operating on her.
'Milli is doing well and now back on ward.'
Announcing the procedure was a success on Monday, Ms Smirk wrote on Facebook: 'Milli's awake and in ICU, operation was a success, Charlie has got it all and her right leg and arm is moving but don't know yet to what extent'.
'Thank you everyone one of you for your support and love. She's so amazing'.
The little girl was all smiles as she was taken into the operating theatre for surgery, but the procedure was not without risks.
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