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Son's arrival
Son Pham came to Toronto in June 2007 with the hope of having the football-sized growth reduced, if not removed. He's seen here on March 31, 2008. -
Preventing complications
If untreated, doctors in Boston feared the growth could eventually block Son's airway. -
Surgery time
Son received surgeries and injections of liquids to gradually reduce the size of his growth. -
Shrinking growth
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Progress
Doctors described Son's progress as slow but steady. -
Gradual reduction
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Swelling reduces
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Spring time
Son now speaks fluent English, but the growth still makes it difficult for him to enunciate. -
Top of the class
Son lives in Halifax and continues to go Boston for treatments. He is at the top of his class in math. -
Face taking shape
When he looks in the mirror, Son says he likes how his cheek is getting smaller. -
Active life
Son enjoys playing badminton and is showing signs of being a gifted athlete. -
Thank you painting
Son Pham works on a painting at the home of a caregiver in Halifax. The 12-year-old Vietnamese orphan offered the painting as a thank you gift to the Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation, which provided about $200,000 for facial surgery in Boston. (Andrew Vaughan, Canadian Press)
