Hi Everyone!

We just wanted to write and catch you up on the “happenings” of Noora and Afef over the past few weeks since we last wrote.

First and foremost on the medical side, after seeing Dr. John Atwood (the plastic surgeon involved in the project), the decision has been made to go forward with a tissue expansion procedure, which involves implanting 1-2 balloons under healthy portions of Noora’s scalp. Weekly (for approximately 6 weeks), Dr. Atwood will be injecting saline into the balloon, stretching and creating enough new skin (with hair follicles) to be able to use it for grafting over her new prosthetic skull.

The procedure will be performed this coming Friday at Maine Medical Center. Afef and Noora are “very, very happy” (per Afef) to be moving forward as they, at this point, have been away from their family for nine weeks (four weeks in Jordan awaiting visas and five weeks here in Maine). Noora has one brother and two sisters and her mom is six months pregnant, so as you might imagine this separation has far-reaching consequences and hardships for everyone involved.

In the meantime, Noora and Afef have been enjoying all sorts of activities (in spite of the rain, which they continue to love!) mixed in with their quiet private time that they both enjoy. There have been many “playdates” (with both children and adults) trips to the beach and lake, English classes, picnics, a trip to Peaks Island, a night at the circus, a tour of a Saw Mill and local furniture company (Afef used to be a furniture maker), afternoons with the Somali community, walks to the park, scrapbooking, tele/conferencing with their family in Iraq, etc., etc. Ronald McDonald House, with its (extremely) accommodating and helpful staff and volunteers and its continuously changing guest list (many of the guests children), have warmly embraced Noora and Afef and provided a steady flow of fun and play, as well.

Afef has told us many times that the Doctors in Iraq all referred to Noora’s survival as a “miracle,” and to say that we have come to know her as anything less than “magical” is an understatement. She has the gift to make everyone who meets her feel special and loved. Her laughter is easy and contagious, and her joy is unrestrained. She’s a delightful mix of six-year-old mischievousness, tenderness, willfulness and an unencumbered lust for enjoying life. I think Doug said it best the other day at one of her doctor appointments (when she looked over at us in the middle of the exam and gave the thumbs-up sign)…….”If you don’t fall in love with Noora when you meet her, you don’t have a heart.”

Many thanks for your ongoing interest in this project and for your love and support for Noora and Afef. This has truly become the community project, which it was intended to be and we very much appreciate the support of each and every one of you.

Susi and Doug
985-0234
seggenberger@verizon.net