Rasan's Heart Surgery

Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Rasan Improving Slowly
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It has been an eventful week for Rasan with much going on. When we last saw Rasan on Thursday, his mom was in tears as we heard that the doctors were worried because of what his echocardiogram seemed to reveal. They had some trouble seeing whether the (VSD) hole in his heart had remained closed or if the patch that was previously put in to close the VSD had reopened.

Because of this, the doctors felt they needed a better look at his heart. This prompted the doctors to do another catheterization. Apparently, after the catheterization the doctors were able to confirm that the surgery from a few weeks ago was a success and that Rasan's hole was patched up adequately. This completely changed Rasan’s mother’s mood. We had yet to see her this joyful because she has been constantly worried about her son’s condition.

While Rasan's surgery may have been a success there are times that it still looks hard for him to breathe and he is still on oxygen (another echocardiogram scheduled for Sunday may reveal the cause of this). In addition to his low oxygen level Rasan has had a constant fever for the last couple of weeks that he just can't seem to shake. Please continue to pray that he remains nourished, that his fever would leave him, and that his mom would keep the patient and joyful attitude that she exhibited when we left.

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Rasan Moved to Secondary ICU
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I didn't know what to expect upon visiting Rasan and his mother in the hospital. I had heard some stories about him and what his situation has been. The numerous surgeries and the sleepless nights for his mother are two examples. When I arrived with some of the Shevet staff along with another volunteer, we searched to find where Rasan and his mother were staying. After some quick research, it was revealed that he was still in the ICU.

The nurses informed us that Rasan had been moved from the extensive ICU to the secondary ICU. This meant that his condition was improving. We began to talk to his mother who was beaming and smiling as her baby was out of his coma with his chest closed up. While she was smiling, she was also still worried. A few days ago Rasan had yet another surgery in order to install a pacemaker into his tiny little chest. Apparently this little trooper did quite well and is continuing in his recovery.

As we moved into his room to take some pictures, one thing caught my attention immediately, Rasan’s eyes were wide-open. He was a little cranky as his mother opened up his shirt to reveal the scar that marks his body almost entirely. We ask that you please continue to lift this adorable little boy up along with his mother. Pray that he continues to recover from all the obstacles that he has faced and that she continues to endure.

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Monday, August 4, 2008
Rasan Continuing to Improve
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Rasan is in a stable condition and his heart is doing much better. The doctors closed her chest on Saturday, however, he was reconnected to an external pacemaker. He is still in a medically induced coma and will need a breathing tube for a few more days. His mother is having peace and thanking the Lord for what He is doing with them. Thank you for your prayers as they are needed.

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Friday, August 1, 2008
Rasan's Heart Beating Without Pacemaker, but Remains in Critical Condition
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I was able to visit Rasan, his mother, and Amy today at the hospital. When I arrived the doctor was in the middle of updating Rasan's mother on his condition. If you look closely to the picture, you can see that Rasan’s chest remains open. The doctor refused to give us any assurance regarding his condition. His heart is now beating on its own without the assistance of a pacemaker, but he is still in need of artificial adrenaline in order for his heartbeat to be strong enough to supply an efficient amount of blood to his body. His mother remains very emotional. As we sat with the doctor she continually asked the same questions over and over as if she couldn’t comprehend how Rasan’s condition has deteriorated to this state. Understandably, she is afraid to be alone, so Amy has volunteered to sleep at the hospital with her for the next few days. Before leaving the doctor informed us that Rasan remains in critical, but stable condition. She said that they would know more about the future condition of his heart on Sunday. Please continue to pray for Rasan’s recovery. Also remember to pray for Rasan’s mother and Amy as she attempts to comfort her during this difficult time.

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Thursday, July 31, 2008
Rasan in Critical but Stable Condition
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Rasan came out of surgery around 3:00 p.m. this afternoon. The doctors reported that the hole in his heart that reopened after his previous surgery was once again repaired. Unfortunately, during the surgery they discovered several arteries that were malformed, requiring an additional procedure. In the end, the doctors were able to make a complete repair of Rasan’s heart, however, they are keeping his chest open for the next few days as a precautionary measure, meaning that God willing he will be in critical but stable condition for at least the remainder of the week.

I am unable to post pictures with this update because Amy has agreed to spend the night at the hospital to tend to Rasan’s mother. She has really appreciated having Amy by her side. Rasan’s mother has been staying at the hospital with her son for over a month. She is quite understandably exhausted and worried. Following the surgery today it was difficult for her to go into the ICU and see Rasan in that condition. It has been a really emotional day for her. This evening the doctors informed us that Rasan is critical but stable. They will continue to monitor his condition throughout the evening. Please continue to pray for him as his heart begins to heal.

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Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Rasan's Surgery Postponed One More Day
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Late last night we received a call from a nurse at the hospital informing us that Rasan’s surgery would be postponed yet again. Much to his mother’s disappointment, Rasan still had a very high fever and remained inoperable. This afternoon we received a call from his mother telling us that Rasan’s fever had gone down and his surgery would take place tomorrow (Thursday July 31). Please continue to pray for Rasan and his mother as Rasan in taken into the operating room again.

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Rasan's Surgery Now Set for Wednesday
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Yesterday I went to visist Rasan expecting to be with his mom during his surgery, but found them still in the room. Little Rasan still has not had his second surgery due to a fever. He is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday morning at 7a.m. His mother is doing okay and is a real trooper, although she is very tired and wants to see her son well. Keep them in your prayers as Rasan's mother is patiently waiting for the second surgery.

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Sunday, July 27, 2008
Rasan to Second Surgery on Monday
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Rasan will have a second surgery tomorrow at 12 pm to close the hole in his heart. His mother's spirits were high just hoping the surgery will go well tomorrow. He has a fever that has gone down from 40 degrees to 38 degrees Centigrade. Therefore, the doctors feel its ok to operate on Rasan. The past 3-4 days he hasn't been able to keep his food down, but generally he is fine.

The mother was hopeful as she was telling us when Rasan left Iraq he weighed 3.5 kilos and now he weighs 4.5 kilos after one month. August 5th he will turn 7 months. Goran and I prayed with her over her son with his upcoming surgery and current condition. She was extremely thankful especially hearing the prayer in her local language, Kurdish. Please keep Rasan in your prayers over the next several days.

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Thursday, July 24, 2008
Rasan's New Chair
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Although Rasan may have to have a second heart surgery next week, he was hanging in there when I saw him today. He is still on the feeding tube and has also gained some weight. The doctors came to check him as I was visiting and everything was good. Rasan's mother was very tired but still was optimistic in spite of waiting for another surgery. A donor gave Rasan a chair to sit in and play in (pictured above), and he seemed to really enjoy that. Rasan's mother was very grateful for the chair and was happy that he liked it.

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Sunday, July 7, 2008
Rasan Recovering Well With Pacemaker
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Today Alex and I visited Rasan at the hospital. The doctor stated he was doing well. He is attached to an external pacemaker in order to control his rapid heart rate. The doctors hope that this will only be temporary and that they won’t have to put a pacemaker in his heart. Rasan is a tough little guy and is hanging in there very well. I heard him cry in the ICU and it sounded like the cry of a healthy baby. The doctors are hopeful that Rasan will be out of the ICU in the next two to three days.

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Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Sudden and Successful Surgery for Rasan

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Yesterday, Alex, Hannah, and I were able to visit Rasan and his mother at the hospital. As we entered the room, she seemed less nervous in comparison to my previous visit. Rasan had not eaten all day because the doctors said that it was possible he might have surgery. It didn’t appear that Rasan was bothered by this, because he still smiled at us as we spoke to him.

Rasan was also looking much better than before. After we arrived, the nurses told his mother that the surgery was postponed, much to his mother’s disappointment. The doctors said they hoped Rasan would have surgery sometime in the next few days. Little Rasan was hanging in there, although this has been a tough time for his mom. I know she was anxiously and patiently waiting for his surgery to take place.

Early this morning Rasan’s mother called to inform us that Rasan was in fact having surgery today. When we arrived to the hospital he was still in surgery. Around 12:30 p.m. the surgery was completed and Rasan was moved to the ICU. Rasan’s mother was holding up rather well. The doctors said that his surgery was a success; Rasan is doing well.

Hannah and I stayed with Rasan’s mother for the remainder of the afternoon. When we left the hospital she seemed to be doing really well and was so thankful that the first step in her son's healing had taken place. Please continue to pray with us for Rasan and his mother.

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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Comfort Food
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Today I went to the hospital to visit Rasan and his mother. Aros' mother sent with me a Kurdish home-cooked meal as a comfort for her.

Rasan's mother still seemed quite nervous and worried about Rasan's surgery. I assured her that the doctors and nurses do this kind of heart surgery all the time and that bit of information gave some relief.

Rasan is still hanging in there with his cleft pelete. Right now he can only drink so much milk each day. The doctors sound hopeful about his heart surgery and said that he might have heart surgery Sunday.

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Sunday, June 22, 2008
Rasan's First Day at the Hospital
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Little Rasan made it to Tel HaShomer hospital today for his first day of examinations. Alex and Amy and Robin came to help mom with all of the paperwork and getting settled. The doctors decided to admit him today to determine his surgery date. Rasan's mother was a little hesitant but soon settled in to know that her baby was being taken care of by one of the best cardiac teams in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Coming from Kurdistan, this little boy has been sick for most of his 4 ½ months of age, from his heart problems and possibly three more issues--a type of syndrome, a cleft palate and clubbed feet. Rasan tried to eat and rest, but because of his cleft palate he normally only eats half of his bottle and then spits up a bit afterwards. Please pray that he will be able to have this taken care of and he will be able to eat normally soon, as this little guy has not been able to gain much weight lately.

After the paperwork was taken care of, we took little Rasan to have a chest x-ray and also an echocardiogram. The echo showed this little guy has two holes in his heart: one large hole between his ventricles, and a smaller one between the atria. At this point we do not know what the chest x-ray showed. The doctors were concerned about some congestion the baby is having due to the cleft palate.

I was able to spend four hours alone with Rasan's mom and it was a very special time. She is very sweet and speaks English fairly well and she now calls me her sister. I am blessed and I told her I would be praying for her.

Please keep her in your prayers as there are no other Iraqi families currently at this hospital. We will all try to keep her busy and visit her often. We should know in a couple of days if little Rasan will be scheduled for surgery next week or the following week.

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