Dear All,

I have received several emails from Marieka, and while she had hoped to be able to post herself....and still might...she has given me permission to post this update.

She has received some bad news: The pathology report on the bone removed (upper jaw and palate) came back showing that the surgical margins are not clear, and she will return to surgery on Monday....day after tomorrow.....just two weeks after her first surgery. My heart goes out to her. Of course she is not healed yet from the first surgery.

She has two little sons.....7 and 3 or 4...and she is heartsick at the prospect of leaving them again for another round of surgery and recovery.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. At least this time she knows what to expect....sometimes that's a blessing, and sometimes it's a curse, of course.

Her tumor is an ameloblastoma, a non-malignant (non-metastacizing) but diffiicult-to-treat tumor. She has lost much of her maxilla and now will lose a bit more.

I pray for a better report on this go-'round!

Marieka, if you're reading, please know that many here have been following your progress and praying for your good recovery. We thought we had it licked, but we'll do it again! Don't despair. It's going to be ok this time!! They just didn't quite get it all. Next week, you can begin your real recovery!!

XOX--Colleen