2 surgeries already done!
November 13, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Rezhin with her sweet mother by her side
Rezhin and Tarza just barely arrived with our partner organization before they received the news that they could head right in for surgery! If you’ve read some of the other posts here you may have seen that some kids can have a lengthy waiting process until they can have their surgery. Rezhin and Tarza waited just one week before they underwent successful heart surgeries on November 10th. Both Rezhin and Tarza’s surgeries were relatively simple ones, according to the surgeons. They had the same heart defect called Atrial Septal Defect, which is a hole in the wall between the atriums of their hearts. The girls had no complications and were alert and awake following their surgeries.
Both girls are already out of the ICU and healing well. After their move out of the ICU yesterday both girls spent time together eating Doritos and M&Ms- which must mean they’re definitely feeling better! This is, of course, a big relief to their worried parents who have endured many years of worry over their child’s health and future. What a gift to these parents to have children who are now healing! How amazing that we get to be part of that too!
Tarza already up and recovering from her surgery on November 10th
Updates on the 4 girls
October 22, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
The 4 girls who have been going through this journey together- Kale, Shanaw, Sara and Hevi- all have updates!
Kale looking cheerful as she recovers from her heart surgery
Kale has been successfully recovering from her heart surgery that took place on October 7th. Today she had an echocardiogram to check up on some fluid that had gathered around her heart. They found that the fluid was decreasing however and there is no cause for alarm. She is showing such good progress that they think next week will be her final echocardiogram and that soon she can be released to return to Iraq.
Shanaw speaking with her father after being discharged from the hospital
Shanaw has been up and around and showing off her amazing smile ever since her surgery on September 28th. She’s shown nothing but improvement and energy and life! She’ll also have her last echocardiogram next week and soon be on her to be reunited with the rest of her family and friends in Iraq.
Sara and her loving father who has gone through this whole process by her side
Sara underwent her surgery on October 15th and has been recovering with her gentle, loving father by her side. On the 19th she was moved out of the ICU and has since been up walking and beginning to eat more and gaining strength. Sara is recovering well from her surgery but remains in the hospital today recovering from an unrelated infection with the help of antibiotics. The doctors report that she is healing normally and is on her way to a full recovery soon.
Hevi and her family face a very hard decision this week
Hevi has had the longest wait of all 4 girls. Hevi and her mother arrived at the treatment center on July 21st and have been patiently waiting ever since for the doctors to make their final decision about Hevi’s surgery. Due to the uniqueness of her heart problems the surgeons had to determine if surgery was the best treatment and if it would really be the solution. On October 15th the surgeons finally gave Hevi and her mother the news that surgery was an option but, that unfortunately, it would be very risky. The decision was left up to Hevi’s parents to decide what to do and they decided today not to do it. The risks and unknowns are huge either way. They still have until Sunday to decide finally if they want Hevi to have the surgery or not. This family has had a very long road of waiting and worry. We’re thankful to be part of Hevi’s treatment and to support her and her family in this time.
Shanaw smiling after surgery
October 2, 2008 by carrie · Leave a Comment
Our partner organization writes about Shanaw’s successful heart surgery:
“This morning (Sept 30th) we arrived at the hospital around 11 a.m. to find Shanaw awake, extubated, and already able to drink small cups of water and slurp soup with little assistance. She said she hated soup and joked that she wanted hummus. Though she’s not able to move around too much yet, the irrepressible smile was once again on display, albeit painted around the edges with the occasional wince of pain.
Her post-op examination results and vital statistics all look very good and her blood oxygen level hovered around 97 to 99% which is great. She suppressed laughter with us several times - because it hurt - and spoke intermittently and with evident effort. She insisted that she wasn’t tired and didn’t want to sleep. From her reclined position on her bed in the ICU, she had a good view and took an avid interest in the flurry of activity all around her, which included an African child named Mercy, a 23 day-old baby awaiting surgery, and Ali, also from Iraq.
The atmosphere in the ICU was serious as always, but among our staff, Shanaw’s aunt, and Ali’s father, the mood was a bit lighter and there were smiles all around. Last night things were very uncertain as Shanaw had come out of surgery only to be sent back to the O.R. three hours later and have her chest reopened because of what turned out to be a loose suture. With morning, however, Shanaw’s prognosis was looking very good. While Shanaw’s aunt prayed outside (since it is the day before the end of Ramadan), we sat in the ICU and were thankful for her progress so far. Having one’s sternum sawed open and major arteries moved around is no small matter, and there is still a great deal of recovery ahead for Shanaw, presuming there are no further setbacks. We’re all hoping that she will continue on the path that she is on so that many others can have the blessing of knowing this little fountain of joy.”
waiting their turn
September 24, 2008 by carrie · Leave a Comment
Hevi, Shawna, Kale and Sara- four young girls bonded by a very unique, but shared experience. Four hearts, all with different defects, coming from Iraq, holding out hope. All four of them have had all of their preliminary medical tests done and are ready and waiting for their heart surgeries. With a few surgeons gone right now and other children on the list ahead of them, it could still be a few weeks before their turn comes. And when you’re 12 and 8 years old, waiting is hard- especially when they’re away from their home country and their families- and they’re anticipating this very life changing event.
Many thanks to our partner organization who takes such great care of these kids and their parents during these long waiting times. We’ll keep all of you in the loop as these girls head on into surgery in the coming weeks. You’re part of this with them. Thank you.
Hope for Hevi
August 18, 2008 by carrie · Leave a Comment
12 year old Hevi underwent a heart catherterization on August 14th that revealed one hole in her heart and an obstruction of the left pulmonary valve. Both of these problems the doctors have confirmed can be fixed, however, she is also missing a left pulmonary artery, which poses a big challange to these surgeons. Hevi and her mom will find out soon what her prognosis will be and how much these surgeons will be able to correct on her heart.
Hevi, and other children like her, arrive at this hospital with huge hopes hanging in the balance. We’re honored to be able to share in brokering some hope for these kids and their families. The funding we provide is able to secure the utmost care and medical expertise available for these children to bring their hopes to reality. So keep spreading the word and partnering with us so that we can see many more Hevi’s and Shkar’s from Iraq live with healed hearts.
1st Day at the Hospital- Hevi and Shkar
July 23, 2008 by bobby · Leave a Comment
12 year old Hevi and 6 year old Shkar have arrived safely in Israel and are undergoing the initial tests and preparations for their heart surgeries. These kids and their parents have been through a lot in just a few days: leaving their families in Iraq, travelling all the way to Israel, adjusting to a very foreign place and then undergoing lots of medical tests. This is has been a long process for many just to get to this point. There is a mixed sense of relief and yet apprehension to finally be at the hospital and be one step closer to the actual heart surgery. And yet Hevi and Shkar both had smiles to show after their blood tests, injections and echocardiograms. These kids are so resilient! What a privilege for us to be part of this journey with them.
Hussein’s heart strong, while mother worries about unrest in Iraq
April 24, 2008 by bobby · Leave a Comment
Last week Hussein was given the official clearance to head back home to Iraq! He had a bit slower recovery than the other kids have and required a pacemaker to maintain the health of his heart- but he’s pulled through like a champ! Hussein and his family are excited about his healthy heart, but are also bearing a great weight of concern about the safety of their city in Iraq. Our partner staff in Jerusalem wrote about Hussein’s mother:
“She had an emotional departure from our house in Jerusalem two days ago, and it was obvious when we visited them last evening in the apartment here in Amman that her heart was still full of conflict about leaving the people and the place where Hussein had received the help he needed. She spoke of how wonderful the people are, that there are many good people in Israel, and how thankful she is for the help they have received. And it is clear to those of us who first met her at the echocardiogram screening in October that the experiences they’ve had have changed the heart of both the mother as well as the son.”
The day Hussein and his mother flew back to Iraq:
“Hussein’s mother was quietly emotional during the time we spent together this day. They return to a very dangerous area of Iraq, and it is beyond the comprehension of most of us the extreme contrast she is experiencing at this time. While with us, she so enjoyed the freedom to go about the city and know she was safe… now she returns to the reality of a life I honestly cannot imagine. She was carrying so many things in her heart! I felt as we rode home from the airport it was as if a revolution was being birthed within her, one which perhaps represents the desires of many others in her nation who have not had the opportunity to experience the things she has. Please join me in praying for this beautiful mother and her son, and their family, as well as for the peoples in the land in which they live, to fulfill the good purpose God had when He created them.”
Baveel
April 16, 2008 by ruth · 1 Comment
Two weeks ago Baveel came to visit us at the office. We lost electricity just before he arrived so understandably he wasn’t’ able to make the climb to our office on the 6th floor so we just met outside in the car. He’s recovering reasonably well from his surgery and looks super cool with his new hair style which he had done in Israel! On the down side, he isn’t eating well and is quite underweight which is hindering him from reaching his full potential. He also needs to start building up his exercise tolerance; he had been spending the majority of his time indoors playing computer games. I explained the importance of eating well and being more active and gave him some ideas as to how to work on these things. I’m hoping that when we see him again next week that he will have his appetite back and that he’ll be playing less computer games and instead be playing much more outdoors with his friends. If you’re inclined towards prayer, lift up one for Baveel as he continues to recover.
3 heading home with healed hearts!
March 31, 2008 by bobby · 1 Comment
Aria, Juliana and Rebar all returned to their homes and families in Iraq on March 23rd after having successful heart surgeries and recoveries in Israel!
These kids are returning home as totally new little people! The blue tinge to their skin is gone. They can run and play like all the other kids. They can breathe normally and have boundless energy! The outlook for their future is bright!
We’re all part of something huge here- bringing hope for life to kids and their families and a whole country that desperately needs it. Thanks for being on board with us! Who ever thought shoes could be part of something this amazing?
Hussein’s recovery slow, but steady
March 31, 2008 by bobby · Leave a Comment
Four year old Hussein’s heart surgery one month ago was a success, but his heart has not been able to maintain a steady beat. On March 12th the surgeons placed an internal pacemaker into Husseins chest to regulate his heartbeat and to ensure that his heart continues to function properly.Hussein’s mother has been burdened with a lot of worry and stress as her son went through yet another surgery (this time for the pacemaker) and then they received news about increasing conflict in their hometown in Iraq.Our partners in Israel wrote, “Hussein’s mom looked very drained while we were talking, and after a little while of sitting with her, she got a phone call from her husband that made her upset. He told her that there was a great increase of conflict in the city where they live in Iraq, that it was dangerous in the streets and on the paths leading into the city. He told her that he feared for the timing of her return with Hussein. This was very upsetting news.”As Hussein’s heart is healing and being cared for in very tangible ways, we think of his mom and the burdens on her heart. And since it’s nothing that surgery can fix, we pray for peace in Iraq and for the hope that Hussein’s healing heart carries to spread throughout that country.
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