Karwan's Heart Surgery

Thursday, November 15, 2007
A Different Boy Flying Home
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I consider it a blessing and privilege to be able to send off our Iraqi patients and their parents at the airport as they go home with new hearts. While it is always a time of joy and thanks, in a case like Karwan's it is a huge opportunity to thank God for His awesome work in such a short time in order to save this boy's life for the purposes He created him for. This is the overwhelming sense I had this
morning while we drove toward the airport as the sun rose. Karwan truly has a new life ahead, as the doctors gave him only weeks to live when they met him at the screening on October 9th when he came for the echocardiogram clinic. Now his heart is termed "fully repaired," and he is expected to be able to grow up, participate in normal activities, marry and become a father himself.... thanks be to God!!

Karwan and his mother's final day in Israel was a special one for them
because they were able to visit the Temple Mt. in the Old City of
Jerusalem and see the mosques there, as well as the Garden Tomb (an ancient tomb representing the empty tomb of Jesus) just outside the city walls. It was clear when we reviewed the photos that this was a big highlight to them, and they could not wait to show the pictures to their family when they
returned. When speaking with Jody about it this morning as he drove us to the airport, Diyka Karwan told him "Israel is all good," and she thanks God for everything everyone there did for her and Karwan.

She was in fact thanking God continuously during our return trip, including kneeling on her prayer rug at first opportunity in Jordan, which was at the taxi stand where we caught the taxi to Amman. When we arrived here at the apartment, I was able to connect them with their family in Iraq via internet call, which was the perfect ending to the day for them.

This morning, mother and son were up and ready to leave when I arose at 4:30 am. Karwan's shy grin was replaced temporarily with singing and foot-tapping until his mother quieted him down - but I suspect he will celebrate fully when he arrives in a few hours to his family who'll be waiting at the airport for them. Can you imagine the incredible joy of his father to see his son, for the first time, no
longer blue and struggling to live, but with a healthy color in his body, the clubbing disappearing from his fingers and toes, and no longer just squatting in order to get oxygen through his weak body, but now able to slowly walk and climb stairs as he builds his strength? May God receive the glory He is due for being this kind of God! Let us take this opportunity to remember that He draws near and gives life not just to the sick, but also to needy and broken people in every facet of humanity. Karwan's life is an example of God's ways to provide healing in the heart of a young boy, but what a parallel picture this is to what He can do for every heart which calls upon Him for help in time of need!

We were able to send Karwan and his mother home with a one-month supply of the prescriptions he will need for the coming three months. Please pray that those are followed through on, and that by the time he finishes the medications he will already be much stronger and healthier. Tlhankfully, his appetite appears to be very good and he is eating as heartily as most growing 12 year old boys.

Thank you for praying for this wonderful boy and his mother during their time with us. Join us in asking God to complete the healing He has begun in the heart of both Karwan and his mother. She is now an amazingly different woman than the frightened woman laden with worry whom we met just five-plus weeks ago - we were remarking this morning about her confidence at the airport as they checked in for their flight - thank God! Please keep them in your hearts as Karwan continues to grow into manhood, that some of the seeds planted during
the time with us will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.

You may help sponsor another child's surgery in Israel by clicking here.

Tuesday
November 13, 2007
Up To Jerusalem
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The happiest people today are Karwan and his mother, for Karwan is officially discharged from Wolfson to make his return trip to Iraq. In the midst of their happiness, there were also tears as the other Iraqi mothers bid them goodbye and a safe journey home.

It has been just over one month since Karwan came to Israel and was warded at Wolfson on 11 October. It is awesome to witness how this young lad has changed in the past weeks. From a listless boy who was often seen in a squat position, to a smiling boy who is beginning to enjoy some of the activities other boys his age would engage in, Karwan is a living testimony of GOD's grace and provision of a new lease on life through the team of dedicated medical staff at Wolfson, not to mention the many well-wishers who provided them the emotional support needed.

Today I gave Karwan a paper ball I had brought from Singapore, and showed him what can be done with it. Karwan had great fun hitting and kicking it, to keep it up in the air as long as he could.

Karwan was given a new pair of shades as a farewell gift from someone at SACH, and he wore it throughout our journey up to Jerusalem, even though it was already

dark. During the trip, his father called from Iraq and Karwan's mother told him the good news of Karwan's discharge and that they would be spending the night with us at the Shevet Achim facility in Jerusalem.

Tomorrow morning, Karwan and his mother will have the opportunity to visit the Old City and the Temple Mount, before making their journey by road across to Jordan. From there, they will fly home.

Let us rejoice together with Karwan and his family, as we give thanks to all who have assisted Karwan on his journey back to health, and we pray that the LORD will reveal the future and hope He has planned for this young man and his family.

Click to send an e-mail message to Karwan and his mother.

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Sunday
November 11, 2007
As the Day Approaches
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It is a delight to see the smiles of Karwan and his mother become bigger and bigger as the day approaches for their departure back home. Today Karwan had what is likely to be his next-to-last echo, with Dr. Tamir reporting that if his Tuesday echo looks good, he'll be dismissed to come to Jerusalem with us. In visiting them at the Save A Child's Heart house today, I noticed that his mother is no longer frightened and sad, but instead has become a more outgoing and engaging woman who is ever-grateful for all that God has done for her son.

We hope to bring them to Jerusalem on Tuesday for a brief visit in the holy city before heading back to Amman, and then at last, on to Iraq. The mention of this reality causes them both to beam with joy, and we look forward to seeing them complete this journey to healing. It is hard to believe that we only met Karwan five weeks ago when he came to Amman for the echocardiogram screening. He was blue and could only squat most of the time in order to get enough oxygen into his body due to his heart condition. When I look at him now, I marvel at what God has done so far, and know He will continue what He has begun in Karwan's life.

Click to send an e-mail message to Karwan and his mother.

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Thursday, November 8, 2007
All Set to Leave for Home
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Today we received good news on Karwan. He had his echo-cardiogram done after I left Wolfson Hospital yesterday, and the results are good. He will have another "echo" this Sunday, and if all's well, Karwan will be discharged to return home! This is wonderful news for us, especially for Karwan's mother, who has been fretful over her son's apparently slow

progress. If we recall just two weeks ago, Karwan was re-admitted into the ICU, and now he may well be the first of our current batch of Iraqi patients to return to Iraq!

When Jonathan and I visited Karwan at the Save A Child's Heart house two days ago, I asked if I could see his surgery scar. The normally shy boy did not hesitate to lift up his shirt to show me that it was healing very beautifully.

So Karwan is all set to leave for home, but before, that he may have the opportunity to visit Jerusalem as we coordinate his departure with the arrival of a few more Iraqi children from across the border.

Join us in giving thanks to the Wolfson medical team and our Heavenly Father for all that's been done for Karwan and his mother.

Click to send an e-mail message to Karwan and his mother.

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Thursday, November 1, 2007
Change of Environment
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Last Thursday, Karwan was re-admitted into the ICU. But today, he got to leave the Wolfson hospital for a change of environment at the Save A Child's Heart house, where he will rest until he is due for the next check-up on Sunday. Just yesterday, he had some fluid around his surgery wounds but this is no longer a cause for concern.

Karwan was lying in bed in his hospital pyjamas when I first saw him today, and I did not know about the possibility of his being transferred to the SACH house for a break. Then around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, while I was in the midst of talking with Tara's mother and the mothers from Gaza in the lounge, Karwan and his mother walked past with their luggage bags, all ready to go off. I

teased Karwan by pretending to cry, saying that I'll miss seeing him at the hospital, and we took a "parting shot" together.

Karwan is a soft-spoken boy. He is generally very quiet, and when he does speak, he speaks rather softly (but the "tsk-tsk" sounds he makes when he is not pleased with something is definitely audible!). I'd like to see him getting stronger and more active in the days ahead, even before he gets dismissed to return home.

Do keep both mother and son in prayer, as they adjust to living in a multi-cultural environment at the SACH house and wait for the day when Karwan is officially declared fit to go back to Iraq for good.

Click to send an e-mail message to Karwan and his mother.

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Sunday, October 28, 2007
Out of ICU and No More Oxygen Mask!
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We went into ICU today to check for Karwan but he was not there, and we were glad to find that he has improved and was moved into the next ward. I had seen both Karwan and his mom in Jordan at the beginning of October and had not seen them since; both recognised me and David and their faces started to glow. It was so good to see Karwan sitting next to his bed waiting for his Mom to give him a vanilla drink which he thoroughly enjoyed and asked for more.

There was a beautiful glow on his face and as I looked at all the pictures that he had coloured he just began smiling that someone was enjoying his work. We gave him a chocolate and his mother opened it for him and he just ate a little and ask him mom to put it away for later. It was good to see that Karwan's mother was full of smiles today. We continue to pray for Karwan's complete recovery.

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Thursday, October 25, 2007
Back in the ICU
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It didn't sound like good news at all when, upon reaching Wolfson today, I heard that Karwan has been re-admitted into the ICU. But when I saw him face to face, he looked much better today than he did yesterday!

Karwan's mother came with me into the ICU but very shortly after, she said she wanted to go out and take a nap. I found out later from the mothers of Soz and Rayan that Karwan's mom had been waking up Karwan every so often whenever she saw him falling asleep. I gather that she must have been so worried about his slow progress that she could be having the most negative thoughts when she saw Karwan nodding off!

So while Karwan is in the ICU, he gets to have more rest and less disturbance from his mother, who is finding it difficult to believe that her son needs much more time (than the other younger children) for his body to adjust to his corrected heart condition. It has been a challenging time for both the doctors and nurses, and even the other Iraqi mothers, to re-assure Karwan's mother that her son is doing well in spite of the fluid retention in his body. Please remember the mother in your prayers, that she will experience peace while she allows Karwan to be well-rested and be healed over time.

I stuck a shiny little sticker of the Singapore flag onto Karwan's oxygen bag and told him there are people from Singapore praying for him. Then I 'entertained' Karwan by showing him all the photos taken during the medical screening about two weeks ago. He smiled and nodded each time he recognised an Iraqi child who had stayed in the same hotel as he in Amman.

Later, the nurses came to fix Karwan's intravenous feed and he was once again fascinated with the whole process, just as he had been on the first night he was admitted into Wolfson.

When I dropped by to check on Karwan again after visiting with the other Iraqi patients, I found him fast asleep and his mother had gone for a walk. May they both have a restful Sabbath!

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Staying Put for Monitoring
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Today Karwan had to have his oxygen mask on and he was sleeping upright in his chair when I arrived at Wolfson. His worried mother started to sob when she saw Autumn and me. After hugging her, our attention turned back to the sleeping boy, who looked visibly tired. But his fingernails remain a healthy pink, which indicates that his heart is functioning well.

Karwan was scheduled to move out of the intermediate ICU yesterday but due to a condition called pleural effusion, the doctors decided to retain him for closer monitoring. Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid around the lungs, a condition which is common among patients with congenital heart problems such as his (Tetralogy of Fallot).

Dr Houri explained to us in layman's terms that before the operation--when the lungs did not receive much oxygen--they had been functioning with the little oxygen they received.

But after the operation to correct Karwan's heart defects, his lungs may not know what to do with the sudden influx of oxygen, and maybe this is one cause of the fluid build-up around the lungs. It is as if the lungs want to 'shield' themselves from the high saturation of oxygen in Karwan's system!

For now, Karwan needs plenty of rest so that his lungs can get used to the wonderful life-saving supply of oxygen he is now able to breathe in. He does not have much appetite for food, and had only a bowl of soup for lunch.

While we were playing with Rayan who was also in the intermediate ICU, I saw Karwan contentedly writing on the bright orange slate which Autumn had brought him. Then his mother also got into the act and started to write Karwan's full name in Arabic for us to see.

Join us in prayer for both mother and son as they have to patiently wait for nature to take its course. We look forward to the day when Karwan can play more active games as all healthy boys do.

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Returning to ICU
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The sun was shining just outside the window on a beautiful October day in Tel Aviv at Wolfson Medical Center, bringing warmth and light to those within this structure. However, the sunshine spirit wasn't anywhere near as prevalent inside the intermediate ICU at Karwan's bed area. He and his mother had been given the news, just minutes before we arrived, that he would be needing to return to the post-op ICU for a couple of hours for a procedure to remove fluid that was building up within his lungs. Their 'less than happy' countenance clearly depicted their true feelings about this news they had just been given. What seemed like a long wait was soon over and during the late afternoon, he was transferred to this new location. Tomorrow, more information will be available as to how he is now doing.

Please pray for them. They are going through a difficult time, for sure! Please also keep the letters (emails) coming as they do bring such encouragement.

Click to send an e-mail message to Karwan and his mother.

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Monday, October 22, 2007
Before and After
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After a week of absence from visiting with our Iraqi friends the Wolfson hospital due to a bad cough, I was glad to be able to meet with Karwan, Tara and Rayan and their mothers today.

Karwan's face and feet are rather chubby, and this is may be one symptom of the fluid retention. However, both his finger nails and toe nails were a healthy pink (compared to his pre-operation condition), definitely a clear indication that his heart is working well now. Compare the two photos below!

Karwan's mother was pleased to receive well-wishers' e-mail, translated into Arabic for her by Raneen, one of our Shevet volunteers. Then both Karwan and his mother were pleasantly surprised when I told them they were on the internet Sky News and were all smiles when I produced a print-out of the photos and captions for them. Karwan seemed particularly fascinated with the photos taken of him in the operating room.

The doctor says that Karwan is doing well, and maybe by tomorrow he can be moved out of the intermediate ICU.

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Sunday
October 21, 2007
Chest Tube Re-inserted
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I was thankful to have another prayer letter to give to Diyka Karwan when I arrived this morning because today was a difficult one for her and Karwan. He had to be hurried to the ICU to have a chest tube reinserted because of pleural effusion - fluid was building up around his lungs - and it had to be drained. When I checked with Dr. Houri, he said this is very common with TOF (tetralogy of fallot) patients. Karwan had been complaining with pain, and his blood oxygenation level had dropped, so this procedure was performed to relieve the pressure. He was frightened when they took him, as was his worried mother. The procedure was short, and after he was stablized and given pain medication, he was moved to the intermediate ICU where he was resting when I left this afternoon. Please keep praying for Karwan and his mother. He seems to be picking up on how frightened she becomes, and then he becomes frightened too. I was able to pray for them about this today, and I ask you to join me. Before the decision was made to insert the chest tube, he was working intently on a puzzle which a friend in America sent over with me. I hope to work on that puzzle again tomorrow and see both Karwan and his mother doing better all around when I visit.

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Thursday, October 18, 2007

Out of ICU
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Our visit to Wolfson today held the pleasant news that both Karwan and Tara were out of the ICU - praise God!! Karwan is in the intermediate ICU, and I found him sitting in a chair watching TV when we arrived. His mother is beaming with thanks that her son is recovering, and we join her in thanking God for His good work. While we were there, Karwan's uncle called, and he was delighted to speak with him on the phone.

The nurse was able to remove one of the IV ports, which will give Karwan some mobility with his left hand now. She tells us that tomorrow they plan to take the chest tube out which drains excess fluid after the surgery. If this is successful, Karwan will move to a regular bed on the ward.

Please keep praying for this gentle boy as he learns to really live a little boy's life for the first time. We have noticed that he still barely moves, as if he is expecting the same physical response from his body as before his surgical repair. It will be a blessing to see him realize all he can do once he begins to gain strength. Pray for his appetite to improve, since this will impact his stamina. We will all enjoy seeing him ''on the move'' in the near future.

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Extra! Iraqi Heart Boy Saved by Israelis

Click here or on the photo below to see a beautiful photo essay from Sky News that takes you right into Karwan's operating room:

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Karwan Awakes
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Thank God, our staff found Karwan awake when they entered the ICU today, just one day after his open-heart surgery.

Another good sign is that Karwan was already weaned from the mechanical ventilation which always follows open-heart surgery.

And we were amazed when the best sign of all appeared: as a true Kurdish boy, Karwan started sipping tea from a spoon held by his overjoyed mother, and then asking for more!

We are so grateful to God and to the dedicated doctors to see Karwan's dream of being a normal, healthy boy coming to pass. Thank you to all who are praying for Karwan; today we shared some of your encouraging messages with him and his mother:

Click to send an e-mail message to Karwan and his mother.

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Monday, October 15, 2007
Karwan Scores 100
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Yesterday Karwan's mom took the test for oxygen in her blood and scored 100. This is a perfect score of normal oxygen level in the blood. Today, Karwan had successful open heart surgery and he is now scoring 100! Karwan's fingers are no longer blue and the doctor says he will be able to play like other children.

Karwan's mom was very happy after the surgery. She called her husband and he did not believe the success until Tara's mom also said it was true. Thank God and the wonderful staff and doctors at Wolfson medical center.

Karwan expected to have surgery yesterday morning, but he was bumped from his surgery time period by a more urgent case involving a newborn child. It was difficult for Karwan's mother to wait, and then accept that her son would not have surgery yesterday. Karwan was rescheduled for surgery at 7am this morning.

Yesterday, Karwan and his mom had a food break. It is the hospital version of Kurdish eating. In Kurdistan they would sit on the floor on matresses called dusheks, eating nan (fresh oven baked flat bread), mast (fresh unpasteurized yogurt), kheear (cucumbers) and banjan sore (tomatoes). In the hospital it's sitting on the bed eating processed white bread, packaged plastic cups of yogurt, packaged hummus, some cut tomatoes and cucumbers in a styrofoam cup, topped off with some packaged chocolate pudding. Karwan did not eat much at first, but when told it was this or more intravenous glucose, he then ate quite a bit of the hospital packaged version of Kurdish food.

Pray for Karwan's recovery, and for opportunities to share good news with Karwan and his mother.

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Sunday, October 14, 2007
Karwan's Surgery Re-Scheduled for Monday
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Because of another child's emergency, Karwan's surgery has been re-scheduled, from Sunday to Monday.

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Friday, October 12, 2007
Karwan's Surgery Expected on Sunday
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Karwan is now in the hospital in Israel after the usually weeks-long process of obtaining a visa from Israel was expedited in order to meet his and Tara's need for emergency heart surgery. Yesterday he and Tara were able to cross to Israel, only two days after the echocardiogram screening which showed the severity of his heart condition. He's pictured here as we pulled up to the entrance of the hospital:

Karwan's attitude seemed to improve as the process went on. In fact, I've never seen a little boy so happy to arrive in the hospital!! I believe this very sweet but shy boy understands that his life is about to be saved, and is excited about the reality of that. This may seem to be an obvious reaction, but the ''fear factor'' usually seems to take over for most children, rather than the excitement we all have noticed from Karwan.

This evening he underwent the eye exam which is part of the routine evaluation done on the children before their surgeries. Amazingly, the Israeli doctor himself was originally from Baghdad!

When we returned to Karwan's room after the exam, his father called. This was exciting for both him and his mother. She spoke to her husband of being safe in Israel, and that they were being taken care of at the hospital, and that she would watch over Karwan.

The doctors are still evaluating Karwan's health to determine whether he is at an acceptable level to allow his heart surgery on Sunday. Please pray for this precious boy as he waits for his opportunity for the newness of life he will receive through this heart surgery. Remember his anxious mother; may God's love surround her and cast out all of her fears.

Short-term volunteer LC from Singapore adds:

After yesterday's excitement of traveling to Israel and being fussed over at Wolfson as the medical team checked him for the vital signs, Karwan seemed rather tired today. Nevertheless, just being in Israel and knowing that his health will soon be restored seems to have done wonders for Karwan. His oxygen saturation level has gone up from the 30's, to hovering around 60%.

We had some fun clipping the rubberised sensor to our fingers to measure our own oxygen levels, but it was Karwan's mother who had the perfect score of 100%! When I said that Karwan will also have such a good oxygen level (like mother like son) after he has had his operation, Karwan's mother responded with a smile, "Humdillah," meaning "Praise God."

Karwan is not interested in eating, and this seems to be the norm for most of the children with heart defects before their operation. He ate only a bite of the chicken which we brought, while Karwan's mother was delighted to have the lentil rice which she shared with two parents from Gaza whose children were in the same room as Karwan. With lots of gestures and a smattering of Kurdish, I encouraged Karwan to eat so that he can be strong for the coming operation, and Karwan's mother apparently understood my message very well, speaking to her son in Kurdish as I 'talked'. The dear boy simply smiled.

Earlier in the afternoon Brenda, who had gone with our Shevet team for the screening in Jordan, came to Wolfson to visit the Iraqi patients. She brought along two friends, and together we prayed for Karwan and his Gazan room-mates, with their mothers' permission.

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Thursday, October 11 2007
Karwan Arrives in Israel in Quest for New Life
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