Her gigantism had left her bedridden for one year, but after one month of hospital care, the world's tallest woman is walking with the aid of crutches, doctors said yesterday.

The tallest woman in Asia, Chinese Yao Defen (C), arrives to Rujin hospital in Shanghai to get a medical check and to have an operation, as part of a charity project, arranged by a British production crew, May 17, 2006. Yao is 34 years old and 2.36 meters tall. [Reuters]

Yao Defen, 36, from Anhai Province, has gained 5 kilograms. She is knitting again and is looking forward to living a normal life without having to depend on the help of others.

"I want to recover soon and return to my home town," said Yao, who stands 2.36 meters tall. "There is so much fun in life. I want to visit a wet market, stores and live like others."

Yao's gigantism is caused by a benign tumor on the brain's pituitary gland that stimulates her body to secrete excessive amounts of growth hormone.

Yao gained most of her height during childhood - her body still produces excess hormones, though doctors say she will not gain any more height.

Yao was discovered in a poor farmer's family by the Discovery Channel, which decided to make a documentary about her and help her receive proper treatment.

Ruijin Hospital has agreed to treat Yao for free.

Her height has caused a range of medical problems, including an enlarged heart and osteoporosis.

Doctors say Yao's heart problems and malnutrition caused by her rural upbringing could kill her within one year if she does not receive proper treatment.

"We plan to provide medication for three to six months to control her growth hormone and the size of the tumor, which closely connects with surrounding nerves and blood vessels in the brain," said Ning Guang, the vice president of Ruijin Hospital.

"She has shown good responses to medicines we used on her tumor, which is expected to shrink by 30 percent when we do the surgery."

Doctors said Yao will receive another three to six months of medication after surgery to further control the hormone and tumor.