By Sheila Reynolds - Surrey North Delta Leader

He couldn't wait to pick up the phone as he walked out of the government office Tuesday.

"I am a permanent resident starting today," Dhaval Patel announced.

 It took eight years, but Patel, a young man fighting to stay in the country for health reasons, was finally granted his permanent Canadian status this week.

 Patel first came to Surrey with his parents on a visitor's visa in 2000 to seek treatment for an undetermined medical condition that caused him much pain, a severe body rash and extreme eye swelling. Specialists advised that Patel continue treatment here, surmising the poor air quality in his native India would only aggravate his condition.