Haitian Woman Thanks Jackson Memorial Staff For Saving Her Life

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Marlie Casseus returned to Jackson Memorial Hospital Thursday from Haiti, with a group of visiting Haitian nurses singing God Bless America.

While Marlie, now 23, still has facial deformities and may have more surgeries, she has come a very long way.

When South Florida was first introduced to Marlie nearly ten years ago when she arrived from Haiti, she had a grotesque, 17 pound tumor that consumed her face and head.

Doctors at Jackson performed ten surgeries over nearly a decade, removing the terrible tumor that likely would have killed her.

"I'm happy, because once again I see this hospital that saved my life.  All the doctors, all the nurses that contributed to give me a second chance," Marlie said Thursday.

Born with a normal face, Marlie was a precious child who developed polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, causing the huge tumor that left her unable to speak, barely able to breathe.

Thursday, she wiped away tears, but not tears of sadness.

"I cry because I am so happy. I am overwhelmed," Marlie told a crowd of reporters and hospital personnel.

With Marlie was Haitian nurse Gina Eugene and Marlie's good friend who has been with her through it all.

"I see Marlie as a symbol of hope and persistence and devotion, and she is the result of caring," Eugene said.

Marlie's mom, Maliene Antoinne, was grateful for the kindness of strangers.

"I'm so happy. I say thank you, America, to the people of America," Antoinne said.

People across the country and community contributed to the International Kids Fund, a division of the Jackson Health Foundation, to pay for Marlie's many operations.  The foundation's Niurka Del Valle said Marlie's case inspired "the world" to reach out and help.

When she looked her worst, Marlie was ridiculed and bullied by other children in Haiti.  She was afraid to go out.  Now, she is looking to branch out.

"I don't have a boyfriend.  I wish I had one but I don't have one," she said, as her mother and and others laughed, happy at her tenacity.

What does Marlie aspire to do?  After one of her operations in 2009, she said wanted to be a chef.  Thursday, she told a packed news conference she wants to be a television news photographer.

She was delighted when CBS4 News photographer Rafael Murciano gave her an opportunity to look at the crowd through the viewfinder of his camera.