Monsour 's Heart Surgery

Thumbnail: 
Monsour
Age: 
1
From: 
Gaza
Diagnosis: 
Tetralogy of Fallot

Putting Up A Fight...And Halleluiah!

Posted on Tue, 05/17/2011 - 00:00 by Natalie Wisely

Our coworker Natalie writes on Friday, May 13, 2011:

Today was the first time I had visited Monsour. When I approached his bedside, I was amazed how tiny he is and how weak he looked. But while I stood there, he slowly lifted his small hands and shook them. It was as if he was saying, Im not giving up without a fight! This boy is stronger than he looks. I think he has his grandmothers determination.

Hope continues to be a theme of Monsours story. Today, he is stable and the doctor was optimistic about his condition. He is still breathing through a ventilator, but appears to be doing better. Monsours grandmother, always the beacon of strength and hope, was pleased to hear her grandson is doing well today.

Please continue to keep this little boy in your prayers. Even though he is doing better, he has an infection around his heart that the doctor is watching closely. There is hope that one day he and his grandmother will be able to go home, but for now he must remain. Pray that he continues to remain stable and this infection heals quickly.

For Monsour, each new day is a gift. Tomorrow holds no promises, but each day he lives continues to give hope. This small boy who has spent only days outside of a hospital has inspired me to live each day to the fullest. Since there are no guarantees about tomorrow, we should be thankful that we were given today.


.....And our friend Efrat Nakash, an Israeli photographer, writes on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 in an email to Shevet Achim:

Dear friends,

I just talked to Eyal [Efrat's son, a doctor in the pediatric department at Wolfson Hospital] who told me that Mansour is improving! Last week there was a shift in his condition, and now he is smiling and getting better. Eyal said he is very cute. Sion even considered releasing him on Thursday, but after the death of the baby today, he decided to be extra cautious and wait a few more days.

Halleluiah!

Btw, if you scroll Monsours page to April 1st report by Theresa Hafen, you will see Eyal.

Thank you for the exciting experiences you share with me!

Love,

Efrat


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Banking On Hope

Posted on Fri, 05/06/2011 - 01:00 by ryan

There is no change in Monsours condition: he continues to lie in the back corner bed of the Wolfson Pediatric ICU, like a wheel hub from which spokes of medical machinery radiate in all directions. The whirring hum of a ventilator vibrates his body. Two large tubes penetrate the skin of his neck, circulating a clear liquid.

The nurse I spoke with said simply, , He is in the same condition, a difficult condition.

Neither is there change in the condition of Monsours grandmother: she remains defiantly hopeful. I was with her today in the hallway as she lambasted another woman in the hospital, not a member of the medical staff. Her arms beat out angry polemics into the air, her eyes and forehead furrowed at fierce angles. She is a small woman, but one could feel the heat. Watching her fulminate, you felt like you were in the presence of a human exclamation point. My coworker Lina translated, She is upset, because she says that that woman has no hope about Monsours situation. There is always hope, she says. We must be hopeful.

When you approach him closely, you see the flaking dryness of Monsours exposed skin, the slack deterioration of the muscles in his arms, the variegated red and white of his coloring. Sensors on his back monitor internal organs, his eyes are closed with gauze and tape, his head is tilted down at an awkward angle. They probably rotate his position every few hours. One is tempted to think he is not being well cared for, given his grave appearance; but the serious and quick-paced environment in the ICU makes you conclude otherwise: Monsour is being given the best care science knows.

Please do remain in prayer. It is written that three remain: faith, hope, and love. One day the King of Love will be the sole reality. Until then, we can hope in the one who sources and receives our faith. We can take cues from Monsours grandmother. Always there is hope.


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Monsour's Lungs Weaken, Otherwise Stable

Posted on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 01:00 by Theresa Hafen
Todays visit with Monsour found him sedated and still breathing with the help of a ventilator. His nursing caregivers in ICU said that he is in stable condition. The doctors who care for him said that this week his lungs have deteriorated slightly and they are not sure why. They also said that they hoped the oscillating ventilator would strengthen his respiratory system and that he could eventually be weaned off of it.

We continue to hope and pray, and Monsour continues to be given the best medical care and interventions possible. His Grandmother, who is ever at his side, is tired. She asked our coworker and Gaza coordinator Lina if it might be possible for his father to come for a week, so that she can go home and rest, and afterwards return. Due to policy, Monsour is only allowed one escort while in Israel. Please continue to pray for him, his Grandmother and his family.


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Monsour Back In ICU With Lung Complications

Posted on Sun, 04/10/2011 - 01:00 by Theresa Hafen
Since April 1Oths update on Monsour, there have been visits, questions, concerns and continued prayers for this little person. As of our visit today, Friday the 15th of April, he is back in ICU. Doctors say that his heart and stomach are doing well but that he has continued complications with his lungs. He is being treated with antibiotics for infection and ventilators are assisting his breathing, with the hopeful outcome of continued healing and strength in his lungs. As you can imagine, his Grandmother is seeing two steps backwards, so to speak, and it is discouraging. She was more encouraged at the end of our visit today, after she received more information on how the medical staff is trying to help Monsour. We entrust Monsours life and his healing into Gods hands. Please join us in continuing to pray for this little one.



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Monsour: Showing Symptoms of Sunday

Posted on Sun, 04/10/2011 - 01:00 by ryan

Reflective of improvements he has made since April 1 gastric surgery, Monsour has been downgraded from primary ICU to intermediate ICU at Wolfson Hospital. Nurses have begun three times daily to remove his artificial respirator, giving him opportunity to relearn how to breath on his own. He is responsive to stimulus - singing and touching from people who visit him - and in general seems more present, eyes open and arms moving with energy. Monsour's grandmother, whose loyalty to Monsour and resiliency has been mentioned in many blogs, is in higher spirits.

There has been conversation about moving Monsour to a hospital in Gaza if he continues to improve. That would involve a transfer with medical machinery. He will not make this move, however, until he grows a good deal stronger. And even in that case, it seems that Monsour's grandmother is indicating her preference to remain in the Israeli hospital.

Over this weekend, remembering rest on Saturday and resurrection on Sunday, we are glad that Monsour is also resting well and making progress towards new life.

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New Progress For Baby Monsour

Posted on Tue, 04/05/2011 - 01:00 by Theresa Hafen
Todays visit to see Monsour and his Grandmother at Wolfson Medical Centers ICU unit was one permeated with hope. Although he is still in ICU and many hurdles lie ahead, there was encouragement from each person that cares for him: the ICU nursing staff and surgeons that partnered with Shevet Achim, Dr. Sion Houri and Dr. Ottman, were all looking forward to continued progress.

Doctors affirm that both Monsours heart surgery and gastric surgery were successful. Their hope is to relocate him to the regular childrens ward soon, but before they do a number of improvements in his condition must take place. 1) His bronchial cartilage, weakened and damaged from pressures caused by the heart problems, must reassume its strength and elasticity. When this happens he can be removed from the ventilator. 2) He must be able to take nutrition by mouth. If mouth feeding is introduced too soon, the risk is that he will forcefully regurgitate and undo the work accomplished by gastric surgery. 3) It is important for Monsour to gain weight and strength. The ICU staff is performing physical therapy with his arms and legs, so that motion and strength do not deteriorate.

Beyond the medical report from the ICU, however, by simply looking at Monsours pictures from today it can be seen that his color is good. His face is not puffy from fluid retention, and he is waking up and engaging a bit in the world around him. What a gift it was to see him moving in the direction of full health. Although his journey to complete health is not yet finished, we give thanks to God for this new progress.


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Monsour's Gastric Operation Successful

Posted on Fri, 04/01/2011 - 00:00 by Theresa Hafen

The doctor in pediatric ICU stated that as far as surgeries go, Monsours gastric operation this morning was fairly simple. The objective was to further constrict the cardiac sphincter, the muscle ring separating the acidic stomach from the esophagus, allowing him to better retain food and nutrients. It is an important step in helping him recover. The doctors assured us the operation went well. As he lay in ICU recuperating, his Grandmother was making sure he was warm, covering his little hand with kisses.

During the surgery, however, Grandmother was to be found waiting outside in the sunshine. Although a beautiful day, the kind that naturally lightens the heart, she carried a weight of longing and concern. She is longing for her Grandson to be fully well, and concerned that yet another hurdle lies between him and this longing. We join her in these.

We know that much more is needed for Monsour. The need is one that only God can fill. We look to Him. We ask God for healing, life, hope and strength; for Monsour, his Grandmother, and his family. Jesus came to do just this; bring healing, life, hope, and strength.


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Monsour Scheduled for Stomach Surgery

Posted on Thu, 03/31/2011 - 00:00 by Donna_West
This morning at our staff meeting Monsour was heavy on our minds. We each spoke of the good life we hope he will have. A friend of Shevet Achim recently heard about his delicate condition in ICU and sent a special blanket that was presented to his grandmother. Very clearly, there are many people pulling for him.

Today our German volunteer Verena and I went into the ICU at Wolfson Hospital to see Monsour and his grandmother. Verena stroked Monsours head and I began to speak to him saying, "Monsour, you are a beautiful boy and you have a grandmother here who loves you very much. You need to come back here and sit on your grandmothers lap and let her love you . . ." and as I was speaking to him he opened his eyes and fixed his eyes directly on mine. His eyes were clear, alert, sparkling and his mouth began to move as though he wanted to speak. It was a beautiful opportunity to speak the promises of God over his life and to be thankful for so much improvement.

Monsour is scheduled for another surgery tomorrow. The doctors plan to operate on his stomach in order to help him absorb nutrients from his food better. We still wait to see what God will do in this child and for this family.


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Surrounded By Machinery and Love

Posted on Sun, 03/27/2011 - 00:00 by Kristina Kayser
Babies are typically synonymous with life and vitality. Thus, it is painful when confronted with an infant who, by contrast, is struggling to take each breath. Monsour continues to wage his battle for survival, despite the mystery of his critical condition. Moreover, doctors and nurses at Wolfson Hospital are working around the clock to keep him stable.

Chris, a fellow Shevet volunteer, and I stood at Monsour's bedside yesterday, overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of his environment. Here was this baby boy surrounded by monitors, IVs, and endless wiring. I counted over thirty medications that are administered into his small body daily. An ICU (Intensive Care Unit) nurse informed me that Monsour had been unable to breathe without the assistance of a respirator. Then on Monday, a tracheotomy was performed when problems with his left lung arose. This procedure created an airway in his trachea (windpipe) that allows him to breathe easier without using his nose or mouth. To keep the tracheal tube from being disturbed, Monsour was medically sedated, and his soft eyelids were taped closed.

We wanted so much to hold him close, but were told it was far too dangerous at this stage. Chris was even wakened by a dream recently, concerned that Monsour's health was being impacted by the lack of physical touch that babies depend on so much. We stroked his face, held his hands, and sang over him, praying that God's mercy and love would sustain him.

Soon after, Monsour's ever-faithful grandmother joined us, her face showing evidence of a weary spirit. With steady gentle hands, she moistened Monsour's lips with lotion and caressed his cool skin. Day in, day out, this beautiful woman watches over her grandson, longing for any sign of hope.

In faith, we ask for Monsour's healing, that he might be wrapped in loving arms once again, healthy and whole. Meanwhile, we trust that he is being held by the Father in ways we cannot comprehend.
 

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Commenting On His Beauty

Posted on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 00:00 by Theresa Hafen

As you enter the ICU at Wolfson Hospital to visit Monsour, you see his grandmother at his bedside, still there, keeping faithful watch. She seems weighted today. Monsour is struggling. Her eyes and face carry it. Most of this boys life has been in the hospital. Most of this boy's life she has been at his side. For the boy, it seems only a miracle of God could raise him from that bed. For the grandmother, it seems only the love of God could keep her alongside that bed.

He is sleeping. Occasionally a new IV is inserted, and when he wakes he cries. The cry lacks depth. Those that care for him, the Wolfson Hospital staff, comment on his beauty and their hope that all turns out well. Those of us from Shevet Achim share this sentiment of beauty and optimism. He is loved.

But the weight is not lifted. At least not alone. We come alongside and share in it. In this sharing we turn to the One who holds all of our lives in His hand.



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