Dear CCAM Partners and Friends,

God's miracle is still unfolding for Buntheep's healing! Just as we prayed would happen, the leakage from her nose gradually petered out, even though the exact source was never determined. For the past few weeks, there has been no drainage whatsoever! Praise God! Of course, we know that the remnant of the tumor is still inside her head, although hopefully continuing to shrink, as we continue to pray, and as I continue to administer the injections of Calcitonin every day.

Not long ago, when Buntheep began to feel so much better physically, she also began to begrudge the constraints put upon her by the various physical cautions and by her tedious and painful daily treatments. She just wanted to be "normal" like everyone else and begged me to stop the injections. However, as we talked and prayed together, she again realized that this daily two-year regimen was just as difficult for me as it was for her, especially since I loved her and did not like to cause her pain, even though it was necessary.

I reminded her that we were still partners together in her treatment just like from the beginning, while always trusting God alone for her healing. I urged her to keep being brave, just like she had been doing ever since October 2007, when her tumor was first diagnosed. I am so thankful to God that He impressed upon her to listen and to respond in a positive way, very typical of Buntheep. Ever since then, Buntheep has never complained again about the injections and seems dedicated to seeing this through until the end.

Buntheep's slow, but steady, recovery continues to amaze everyone. People who do not know her medical history would never suspect that there still is, or ever had been, any serious threat to her life. For those of you who knew her when she visited America, you will not be surprised that Buntheep has become the reigning checkers champion at CCAM. She also continues to excel in the development of her many talents and gifts, like drawing and painting new artistic masterpieces, skillfully playing the piano, guitar, and recorder (as well as several traditional Khmer instruments)---even creating her own original songs.

Full of strength and determination, Buntheep has now returned to dance class, although the dances she is perfecting are mostly the Khmer classical style that major on poise and control rather than on jumping and leaping around or wielding props that might inadvertently strike her in the head. She has also figured out how to play a little badminton with a single partner, without too much exertion or sudden change to the level of her head, which might precipitate trauma to her brain.

During our recent move, Buntheep has consistently joined in with the other students to help pack and unpack, as well as to clean and organize our new place. At her insistence, we have even allowed her to resume doing routine "household chores" just like all the other students--- jobs like doing her own laundry by hand, sweeping and mopping the floor, or washing vegetables and fruit in the kitchen. She is also being trained to take on new responsibilities, like supervising student supplies inventory and distribution, as well as serving as an assistant in the costume room. And now she is very excited about returning to regular school classes.

Of all the many physical side effects that Buntheep has experienced during her long medical marathon, only a few remain a problem. Praise God for the many that have already been healed! But her forehead is still sunken, due to missing bone. Please pray that God will restore that bone. The bald spots on her scalp are still bald. Please pray that the hair will eventually grow back. Her menstrual periods have been sporadic during all of this, and for the past three months they have not come at all. Please pray that there will be no permanent damage to her glands. And her right eye is still blind. Please pray for the miraculous restoration of sight in that eye. And of course, please pray that the tumor will continue to shrink and disappear, never to be seen again!

Gratefully,
Gioia and Buntheep

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