I’ve got quite a bit to catch you up on since I last wrote. First and foremost, Noora successfully completed her final saline injection this past Friday with Dr. Atwood! As you can see from the attached picture, she has quite a bump on the top of her head. The other day, Noora pointed at a cinnamon bun, said “Noora”, and then pointed to her head and started laughing. Both Dr. Atwood and Dr. Wilson are very pleased with the end results, and if everything goes as planned she should be having her final surgery (to replace the missing section of skull) within the next few weeks.

The past month has brought a lot of fun activities for Noora, from celebrating her 7th birthday with some of her little friends, dates with playmates, visits to a couple of Kindergartens, a private boat ride in Casco Bay, the Cumberland fair, apple picking in Yarmouth, and an afternoon at Pumpkinland …..to….. trips to the ocean, hiking in state parks, and a visit with friends out on Little Diamond Island. She remains enamored with swinging, the computer and helping(?) the staff of the Ronald McDonald House. She steadfastly continues to vote chocolate ice-cream and olives as her top food choices but proves to be a “swing vote” when a pizza shows up. Her English comprehension and verbal skills have soared in recent weeks, along with her confidence and her undying love for Tom and Jerry cartoons. She experienced her first “crush”, ate her first piece of pumpkin pie, and has yet to tire of the sight of rain. She can pack away more food than a body builder, when she’s hungry and undoubtedly burns up the excess calories with her boundless energy.

Afef, continues to enjoy his English classes at Portland West and has become quite the (Middle Eastern cuisine) culinary aficionado in the kitchen. American food, along with our preparation and combinations of the ingredients, still remains a mystery to him and rarely tempts his appetite. He successfully completed a month of Ramadan (fasting between sun-up and sun-down) marking the end, with an Eid celebration at USM. He was invited to participate as one of the guest speakers, one of many public speaking appearances he has made over the past few weeks. He has spoken at churches, schools, the Meg Perry Center and most recently at the “Middle Eastern theme” fundraiser for Noora/No More Victims, sponsored by the First Parish UU Church and the New School, both of Kennebunk. He is heartened by the evidence he has seen that there are people who care about the war in Iraq and that they, in turn, allow and encourage him to tell his story. He is grateful for the generosity and kindness people have shown Noora and himself and relays the stories often, to his family, friends and relatives back home in Iraq.

Soon, Noora will be undergoing her 9th surgery for the injury that occured over two years ago. Two years of significant and ongoing consequences for both Noora and her loved ones. Two years of incredible sacrifice and hardships. As they enter into the concluding stage of this long and agonizing ordeal, please keep them often in your thoughts and prayers.

In Afef’s words, “Salam Alekum”…. Peace be with you.

Susi and Doug