Shanaw's Heart Surgery

Thursday, August 14, 2008
Shanaw Admitted for Catheterization
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Last week Shanaw had a catheterization enabling the doctors to gain a better understanding of the condition of her heart. She recovered quickly and has been back in Jerusalem decorating the house with her artwork. Together with Kale (pronounced Kal-ee), Shanaw has drawn pictures to put up all over the office and made paper chains to drape across the ceiling in their bedroom. A few days ago they spotted a mouse running through the kitchen so they decided to create paper mice (pictured below). Amidst a lot of giggling they slipped these under the office door so those of us in the office would see them and be "startled." This morning I came into the office and found two green cats made out of play-doh on my desk. Shanaw has a very sweet spirit and beautiful smile, which she eagerly shows off every time I see her. Her surgery is scheduled for September.

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Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Shanaw Admitted for Catheterization
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Yesterday, Hank, Erica, Amy and I were able to take the children to the beach in Tel Aviv. Most of them had never seen an ocean before. It was amazing to me how this group of children reacted differently compared with previous groups. The last group of kids ran for the ocean, but this group required a little prodding. With every child’s hand clinched tightly to an adult, our toes entered the water. With time each child began to feel more comfortable, but none of them went in past their knees. Their mothers also didn’t want to go in the water. Instead, they enjoyed watching the kids from their seats in the shade.

I think Shanaw enjoyed the beach the most. She was the first to roll up her jeans and go in the water. Her favorite part of the day was collecting shells along the shore. She was able to bring a collection home with her. Shanaw and her aunt left with Hevi and her mother for the hospital early this morning. She will undergo a catheterization on Wednesday.

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Sunday July 27, 2008
Revelations From Shanaw's First Echo
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Shanaw’s fever is gone and she is doing much better. Her PPD test result was negative. Shanaw also had her first echo today. She kept smiling throughout the whole process. The doctors discovered that she will need a catheterization before her surgery. While we were playing I noticed that her lips turned very blue. It shocked me to see how fast her body gets tired and weak.

Goran and Rebecca add:
Shanaw’s echo revealed that she has a large hole in her heart. Also, her pulmonary artery (the artery from the heart to the lungs) is too small and is not functioning properly. This causes the supply of oxygen throughout her body to be reduced, turning her blue. According to the doctors she has been like this since birth. Fortunately, Shanaw’s upcoming surgery will fix these problems. Shanaw and her aunt are looking forward to the surgery.

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Thursday
July 24, 2008
Shanaw's First Day at the Hospital
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Today Shanaw and three other newly-arrived Iraqi children all went with their mothers/father to the Wolfson Hospital to get their blood work, TB tests and echos done.

It was great to see that they all were doing really well throughout the entire time. Shanaw and Sara had only arrived here yesterday after a long day of traveling. I haven't seen one of them complaining, only their faces show sometimes how tired they are.

During the times of waiting it was fun to interact with the kids. It would be wonderful to be able to speak their language, but it is also great to find other ways of communicating (to play the starring game or with our hands, to snuggle...)

It is the same with the mothers, all I can do is to smile at them and to give them a hug...just to show that I want to be there for them. I know that God has many ways to shine through us and it is my prayer that they will truly experience all of God's love and grace while they are here.

Shanaw always has a big smile upon her face, so sweet and she loves to cuddle. She enjoys playing, she is more outgoing. We were looking at the fish in the aquarium at the hospital together. She was excited about them and we tried to talk about the different colors and sizes of the fish in English/Kurdish/German.

Her fingers are pretty blue. Tonight she is running a pretty high fever. Hopefully tomorrow she'll be doing better.

Goran, the coordinator of our work inside Iraq, is visiting Israel this week for the first time, and his wife Rebecca adds this report:

Today we went to Wolfson Medical Center as Shkar, Hevi, Shanaw, and Sara begin the process for a changed life. When Goran and I arrived Sara and Shkar were in receiving echos.

I had a chance to briefly chat in Kurdish with two of the mothers as they were waiting patiently for their daughters to have a turn. Sara finished her echo and the doctor said her case is common and complex, but she will be fine. Shkar and Sara’s echos took a bit of time so unfortunately Hevi and Shanaw did not have time for their echo, but they will go on Sunday.

Personally, for me I appreciated seeing the tender loving care the doctors had for each child. Also, their sense of humor to entertain the child to help the child warm up and not be afraid of the doctors.

I know in Iraq the doctors would never take the time to comfort the child and be kind. Instead even with a common spoken language (Kurdish) they may yell at the child or slap the child to have the child respond. What we saw today is a type of love and kindness that has never been exemplified to these children from doctors before.

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