Dina's Heart Surgery

Sunday
July 26, 2009
Sent Home As Normal As Can Be
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After less than a week of recovery from her open-heart surgery, Dina was strong enough to return home to Gaza today. She had no major problems in her recovery and on the ride home today appeared as normal as can be. Her mother was very excited to go home again and when we arrived at the hospital, was all packed up and ready to go. Dina and her mom made it across the border without any difficulties and they are back with their family this evening in Gaza.

Monday
July 20, 2009
Happy Relief
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Dina had her twice-postponed surgery today at last, much to the relief of her thankful mother. Dina had already gone into the operating theater by the time we arrived today and her mom was waiting anxiously in the ward with several other mothers. It was clear she was ready for Dina's surgery to be finished as she sat pensively and tensely waiting.

When Dina arrived from the operating room, the doctors reported that her surgery went very well. Her mother came into the ICU to see her very briefly while they were still connecting the artificial respiration to Dina, and then waited until everything was in place to come back in.

Um Dina carefully surveyed everything about her daughter, then made a call to her home in Gaza. She described all that was happening in Israel to her husband, and then sat down to observe her daughter as the healing began.

She is filled with gratitude for the help they've received, and has replaced the look of worry on her face with one of happy relief. Keep praying for her as Dina begins to wake up and become active again. May God give Dina a fast recovery so she can once again be her happy, busy self, and return to her waiting family.

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Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sleeping Soundly on Surgery's Eve
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After being delayed twice in the past two weeks because of emergency surgeries taken ahead of her, little Dina is scheduled to go into surgery in the morning. This adorable little girl is one you'd never know had any health problems if you looked simply at her activity level - she goes non-stop all the time! But Dina must have this open heart surgery to survive, and we're all thankful that her turn will come tomorrow. Her mother continues to be thankful for our company and our prayers as she's had to wait these extra days at the hospital. Today during our visit we found a rare sight: Dina was sleeping soundly! Her mother was able to take a break from chasing or carrying her precocious daughter, and relax with the other mothers over a cup of tea. Please keep her in your prayers tomorrow as she waits for Dina to return from her surgery. Pray too for the doctors as they do their work to save this little one.

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Thursday, July 16, 2009
Still in Mother's Arms
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We found Dina still in her mother's arms today, her surgery postponed once more due to another emergency surgery that required the surgeon's attention. We are thankful that we have a surgeon committed to the safety of every child and not attempting surgery when already exhausted. Dina is now on the schedule for surgery Monday.

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Sunday
July 12, 2009
Dina's Beautiful Smile
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After a few days at the hospital, little Dina has finally become comfortable with the staff and her roommates. She no longer cringes when the nurses come to check on her and her beautiful smile is no longer a rarity. She easily plays with others in the ward and her contagious smile makes even the worried mothers grin.

Dina's surgery, at first scheduled for Monday, is now postponed due to emergency surgery for another child. Waiting is always very difficult for the families; please pray for patience and courage for Dina's mother as they both wait a little longer for the surgery Dina needs.

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As Dina first entered the hospital she was rather sleepy having just woken up from a nap. She clung closely to her mother who took a seat next to several other patients from Gaza who were waiting for various tests that they each would undergo at the hospital today. Dina seemed scared and rather unsettled by the hospital environment, but remained calm and quiet as long as she was left alone with her mother. The doctors were able to interact with Dina very well as she was officially admitted and talked to her soothingly which kept her from crying until they had to take blood! After she had been “pricked” by a needle, Dina was continuously crying when interacting with medical personal, obviously afraid of what they might do. By the time we left for the day, Dina had just finished her CT scan and was back in her room with her mother calming down from the trials of the day. Please continue to pray for Dina and her mother as they are waiting for a specific surgery date!