TEENAGER ALAN Doherty is set to undergo a further 10-hour operation today in the United States which is one more step in the surgical construction of a new chin.
The 18-year-old has already undergone a number of operations including two major procedures last June and October in his quest to have a normal chin.
In a message yesterday from his New York hospital to his family in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, he said: "I am not afraid at all of going through the operation doors . . . I know everything will work out in our favour and please God we'll be home sooner rather than later."
Alan missed out on St Patrick's Day in Ireland because surgeons in New York wanted him there for preparatory work for today's operation. Surgeons have told him it may involve taking bone from both his right hip and his shoulder to insert into his left jaw.
Alan's chin has already cost €325,000, not including €93,000 for today's operation.