| | The Heart Surgery of
Younis
 Thursday
August 9, 2007Younis Flies Home to IraqFiled
by
We were so happy
to see Younis and Zhino back here in Jordan safe and sound after their surgeries and their
time in Haifa. The mothers were full of praise for the friendliness and love of
the hospital staff and the church. Younis is
much more active now than when he first came here three months ago. Both
children were welcomed back here by the neighbour children. Younis’ mother is a
little sobered by the prospect that Younis will need another surgery in half a
year’s time, and most probably will need a heart transplant at the age of 25
years. They were wanting to go home so much, and this morning we left at 08:00
to take them back to the airport. We were glad that the new baby decided to
wait a little while before coming, so it will be born in Iraq. This will make
the paperwork MUCH easier. (Imagine an Iraqi baby with an Israeli birth
certificate... not easy.) Younis' mother and Zhino's mother say thank you to
all of you from all of their heart!
 Sunday
August 5, 2007Getting AroundFiled
by
The good news is, Younis
has started to walk around more often nowadays, and
he seems to enjoy it too! And today, he got to sit in
a car seat when Abu Amir drove us over to his
home for a visit. The Said family home has
a great view of the Haifa port and we all spent a
relaxing afternoon there, enjoying a delicious
home-cooked meal and some lively fellowship.
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Iraqi child's surgery in Israel by clicking here.
 Thursday
August 2, 2007Cereal,
and
TearsFiled
by
Yesterday, both Younis
and Zhino
were officially discharged from Rambam Hospital, and are now back at
the apartment in Haifa. They have a week to rest and relax till next
Wednesday 8 August at 8am, when they will need to return to Rambam for
their 'final' echoes before heading back to Iraq.
Although
Um
Younes seemed concerned that her son's cheeks and lips are not as pink
as those of the other Iraqi children who have had their operations, Dr.
Lorber emphasised that the procedures done on Younis have all gone very
well, and that Younis' present condition is much better than when he
first arrived at Rambam.
Besides, Younis' heart
defects are
complicated, as he has only one out of two vital ventricles. It is
worthy to note that Younis' case was turned down by another hospital
before being accepted by the Rambam medical team.
For
now,
Younis is doing very well in his recovery process and it may
be
years before he will need another operation to treat his condition if
it deteriorates or causes problems in the future.
Meanwhile
back at the apartment, Um Younis is starting to train Younis to walk
more on his own, as well as to eat a more varied diet. This morning,
she gave him
some cereals, which he hesitantly ate as I took
photos
of him "in action". But after a few bits of cereals and a couple of
photos later, it was "halas" (finished!) for him as you can see the
cereals scattered all over the bed!
What
Younis wanted next was his favourite item--yes, you may have guessed
it-- bread dipped in "cha" (tea)! And when his mom pretended to dip his
bread in the tea and fed him with it, he knew it the moment the food
was in his mouth and he burst out crying!
Well,
least Younis had some cereals today! Day by day, may he change his way
of eating--and we continue to give thanks for every bit of progress
this little fellow makes.
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me when Younis' page is updated
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Iraqi child's surgery in Israel by clicking here.
Tuesday, July
31, 2007Younis is Walking Out!
 Filed
by
Younis is fit to be
discharged from Rambam Hospital and will be moving back
to the Haifa apartment tomorrow. Today, I encouraged Um
Younis to let Younis, who is already 2.5 years old,
start walking on his own again, instead of being carried
about all the time. This is partly in preparation
for the time when she will return to Iraq with a
newborn baby, who is due in a week's time!Um Younis has been
rather protective both before and after Younis' operation,
but today she was convinced, as her delivery draws
near.
So she put Younis down
from the bed and said, "Yim-shee, yim-shee"
(walk, walk). At first, the toddler wouldn't move
nor let go of his mummy's hand. But with Zhino's help
and my comical coaxing, he tottered his
way towards me. I was snapping photos of his "first steps."Younis loves to look at
his own photos and video clips on my camera, and this
is one sure way to get him to perform! Notify
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Iraqi child's surgery in Israel by clicking here.
10:30 p.m., Thursday,
July
26, 2007Younis' Uncle Killed
in Blast in Iraq Filed
by
I’ve
just received a telephone call from Um Younis, who is still at the
hospital with her son, that her brother-in-law (her husband’s
brother, or Younis' uncle) was killed in a blast in Iraq. He was a
newly married young man. Um Younis' husband and the family back there
are devastated. Um Younis is crying all the time. She told me that her
husband is asking her not to come back to [their
hometown, which can't be named for security reasons] because it is very
dangerous.
Please pray for her and
the family.
 Thursday
July
26, 2007CT Results Show No
Fluid on Brain Filed
by
Younis is
still making good progress. The CT scan shows that his head is
fine. Today he enjoyed a nice visit from his friends. Please keep
praying for him, for complete recovery. You know that when
“God begins a good work he will carry it on to
completion…” (Philippians 1:6) .
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email:
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Iraqi child's surgery in Israel by clicking here.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007Official CT Report
Tomorrow Filed
by
In just over two weeks,
Younis is now more familiar with the hospital
environment and some of the necessary procedures, so
much so that he did not make any fuss when he was
wheeled over to another part of Rambam to get his CT
scan.
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 Tuesday
July 24, 2007CT Scan Needed Filed
by
Younis was
scheduled for a CT scan today, to check for fluids in his head. But it had to be
postponed till early tomorrow, as he did not fast at least four hours
before the appointed time today. The CT scan was
ordered because the doctors need to confirm if
Younis' large head is due to the presence of
fluids which, if accumulated, could put pressure on his
brain and cause other problems.Meanwhile, Um Younis is
rather concerned that her son's condition seems
erratic -- he's feeling good one day, and then down on
the next. We had to assure her that since Younis has
undergone a major operation, it may take a while for his
body to get adjusted and for his condition to stabilise.
A nurse said that his wound is taking a bit longer to heal, probably
because of the lack of vitamins in his preferred diet of
bread, cake and milk.Nevertheless, Younis has
no lack of entertainment while in the hospital.
He has a bag full of toys, which incidentally
includes the oxygen mask and the rubberised sensor.
And when he is too tired
to sit up, he
even plays wth his own ear!His dad calls from Iraq
several times a day, and Younis gets his share of
chatter on the mobile too. (See photo at the top.)
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Iraqi child's surgery in Israel by clicking here.
Sunday, July 22, 2007 Infection on Chest
Wound Filed
by
Younis has an infection
on the surgery wound down his chest. The attention
given to it seems to give him a good excuse to be
fussy. He was a little weepy. Then Younis broke out
into shy smiles when I showed him video clips of Zhino and Omar having
fun at the beach
and at a neighbour's birthday party.  Younis' post-surgery recovery is good.
However, he will need a dose of diuretic
medicine to drain excess fluids from his body.
Dr. Lorber explains that Younis is "puffy" with fluids
because of too much salt in the food he eats. He has
strongly advised Um Younis to cut down on "Bamba" and
potato chips.
Back in the ward during
lunch-time, Younis said "Nah!" (No!) to the cake he was
eating... and almost the very next moment, he wanted
it again. :-)
Both mother
and child need our prayer!Notify
me when Younis' page is updatedat this
email:
You may help sponsor another
Iraqi child's surgery in Israel by clicking here.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007Recovering in the ICU
After Successful Surgery
Filed
by
Younis' operation this
morning was successful, praise the LORD! Cardiologist Avraham Lorber,
who has arranged for the surgeries of Iraqi children at the Rambam
Medical Center in Haifa, reports good post-surgical oxygen saturation
and expects that recovery will be swift.
On hand to
offer emotional support today was Um ("mother of") Omar,
pictured below at right. She's a veteran of this process
following her own son's surgery
two weeks ago, and she accompanied Um Younis into the ICU to see Younis
after he
was settled in after the operation.
But the medical
staff assured us that a little coughing is quite normal. As the patient
gradually awakens from his sedated state and realises there are
objects
stuck to his nose and body, he tends to struggle to get these things
off him.
Just as expected, the
coughing soon subsided. Um Younis' fears were further allayed when
Pastor Philip Saad from the Haifa church explained to her in Arabic
what are some of the common post-operation symptoms.
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Iraqi child's surgery in Israel by clicking here.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007Praying for Younis on
Surgery's Eve
Filed
by
Um
("mother of") Younis came forward at our church meeting to ask for
prayer on the eve of Younis' surgery scheduled for Wednesday. It was a
great time of worship. The title of the message was Jesus the hope of
the world!
Younes
was admitted today for his surgery tomorrow. Doctors have
decided to perform the Glenn surgery, which is the definitive repair of
his heart defect, rather than treating in stages through multiple
surgeries.
Please pray for mercy and grace over
this precious
child. Pray for Um Younes who is very pregnant, she is in the 1st week
of her ninth month.
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me when Younis' page is updated
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Thursday, July 12, 2007 Today's
Catheterization Was Successful Filed
by
Just after 10am this
morning, Younis was wheeled out of the operation room and Dr Khoury and
Dr Lorber reported that his catheterization was successful. Younis will
be scheduled for an operation next Wednesday, and this is part
of the phase by phase treatment which the Rambam medical
team considers best for him.Nevertheless, the
doctors reminded us that we should not be under the illusion that
everything is now okay, because Younis' medical
problem is very complex. Much depends on how Younis progresses with
each treatment, and as he grows, he will need further operations in the
future.  Younis was wide awake
when he was brought back to his bed, where he was soon visited by Omar
and Omar's mother. It was very comforting for him to see familiar faces
around. Younis fretted as he had
an oxygen mask over his face, and the machine indicated that his oxygen
level was in the 70's. But after a while, his mother obliged him by
removing the mask, even though the readings dropped to the 50's and low
60's. An above-90% oxygen saturation is considered good, but for
patients with heart problems, the 60-70% average is acceptable. Although the nurses
advised against drinking anything but water, Younis insisted on having
his milk. Again his doting mother obliged, and for the first time since
I met this little boy a week ago, he actually finished up his feed!
Well, if Younis' appetite improves, that is surely a very good sign!
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Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Catheterization
Tomorrow  Filed
by
About 9.00 pm last
night, after I sent off my reports for the blogs, I returned to the
ward to check on Younis again. It was his first night at the hospital
and he was crying fretfully. But when his mum noticed that I
had walked into their darkened room, she pointed in my direction,
calling out my name… and Younis’
“hek-hek-hek” cries turned into
“herr-herr-herr” laughter. Indeed, it was very
gratifying to know that my familiar face can console this 2.5 year-old.Today, Younis had bread
dipped in lentil soup for lunch, besides having his cha (tea). Neither he nor his mum
wanted to eat the humus, nor the couscous served with boiled carrots
and cucumbers. So I scoured the food cart and found some more
bread and a whole slice of cheese for them.Do pray for Younis'
mother to be willing to try eating different food, as Younis seems to
be quicker to say “nah-nah”
(no, no!) to food which he sees his mum turn a nose
against without even first tasting them. Both the child and his
pregnant mother need to eat well.Younis will have his
catheterization done tomorrow morning (Thursday, 12 July).Notify
me when Younis' page is updated
at this
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 Tuesday
July 10, 2007 Younis Admitted Filed
by
Due to an
unforeseen mix-up at the hospital, Younis and his mother had to wait
most patiently for over three hours at the Rambam Hospital before they
could proceed with the registration and check-in. (There were two donors
to two different children: our Younis, and another child
named Yunis!)
Nevertheless, Younis had a great time playing with the toys in the
waiting area, and even had a short nap. As of today, Younis
weighs 11.765kg and is 85cm tall. He was eventually checked into the
same ward as Baby Sam
and Omar,
the other two Iraqi boys who already have had their operations. Younis
seemed comforted to see his Iraqi friends at the hospital, and
kept pointing to Omar, indicating to me that he knows the elder boy.
Then there was the changing of shift of the hospital staff. By the time
Younis was finally assigned his bed, it was close to 5pm. When I waved
goodbye to Younis, he cried and didn't want me to go. But I had to get
this report sent out, so I promised I'll see him again tomorrow
morning. Last
night, while I was talking with the Iraqi mums in the
apartment
(in simple two- to three-word phrases illustrated with signs
and
gestures), Younis' mother suddenly drew our attention to
Younis’
soliloquy chatter. Her son was actually calling out, “LC,
LC!” All of us were amazed and I was especially delighted. I
seized the opportunity to ask for a kiss from this previously shy and
sullen little fellow, and he immediately obliged. As I was recording
Younis’ new vocabulary, Zhino wanted to join in the fun.
When I reviewed the recording with the Iraqis, everyone squealed with
laughter and both kids started to bob up and down on the mattress. So
more recording was done to archive this joyous mood--a very good prep
for Younis’ admission at Rambam the next day. I’m thrilled
that Younis has warmed up to me so well and so quickly over the past
three days. Now I’m one more friendly, familiar face
he’ll see at Rambam, which is a totally strange environment
for this boy. Younis' mum is also much more relaxed and happier now
that it is easier to please and entertain her little boy. Thanks to all
of you who prayed for Younis and his mum… and I’ll
say I’m a most grateful beneficiary of the changes which the
LORD has worked in their heart and spirit.Notify
me when Younis' page is updated
at this
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 Sunday
July 8, 2007 Heart Located on Right
Side of ChestFiled
by
Now fully
recovered from chicken-pox, Younis had his first check-up at Rambam
this morning. He wailed when he had to be undressed to be weighed
and wired up in an unfamiliar environment but the very
experienced Staff Nurse Haya soon calmed him down. After his
little ordeal, he was rewarded with a sticker which says,
“I’m a brave boy.”Dr. Khoury briefed us on
Younis’ serious heart problem: his heart is located
on the right instead of the left of his chest, and he has one ventricle
missing on the left. Eventually, he will need a heart transplant but
for now, the Rambam medical team will do their best to alleviate his
condition. The first stage of treatment will begin this Thursday, when
Younis will have his catheterization done.Younis’
pregnant mum took in all this information rather well. She is
apparently quite relieved to have Younis begin his treatment as soon as
possible, especially so because the baby inside her is getting more and
more active, and we are concerned that under the stress she’s
been going through, she might deliver prematurely!By the way,
I’m pleased to report that Younis has started eating a more
balanced diet, instead of the tiny sips of his milk and some bread
dipped in cha
(tea). Yesterday was a day of breakthroughs – Younis
allowed me to carry him for the very first time, when we went for a
walk by the beach (see Zhino’s
blog)! So far, this little guy can only be touched by his mum and Um
Zhino, the other Iraqi mum staying in the same apartment. Younis also ventured to
walk a bit on his own, instead of being carried all the time. He gave a
most adorable smile when I praised him, “Younis, barsh
(good)!” As he warmed up to me, I managed to get him to try
eating new food, such as watermelon, multigrain bread and some
veggies… but only if fed these by his mummy. Please pray that Younis'
mother will persevere to coax her boy to try a variety of food, as he
needs to build up strength for the days ahead. Younis will be admitted
into Rambam on Tuesday, and his catheterization will be carried out on
Thursday, 12 July.Notify
me when Younis' page is updated
at this
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Thursday, July 5, 2007 Settling InFiled
by
At 5.00am this
morning, Bushra (Younis' mother) knocked on my door asking for a light
for the stove to heat up some water for Younis’ feed. The
lighter didn’t work and there was not a match in our
apartment. In desperation, Narmeen (Zhino's mother) and I rang the
bell next door. We knocked and called out our neighbour’s
name for a good 10 minutes before her sleepy husband came to our aid
with his lighter. Younes had his warm milk and everyone went back to
sleep, till almost 11am!While the Iraqis were
still asleep, I rummaged thru my jute-bag for toys for Younis and Zhino. I was
well rewarded when Younis’ face brightened up into a
wide grin – his first happy face since I met this
solemn-looking young lad two days ago. While I was out on
errands, Ziham our kind neighbour brought lunch over for the Iraqi
families. The home-cooked meal (no more sandwiches today, please) did
wonders for Bushra and in the afternoon, she received a very pleasant
surprise -- a long-distance call from her brother in Canada.
To add to her joy, the
lady next door gave her a thermos flask, so that she need not boil
water at 5.00am from now on! Such are the highlights
of the day for a pregnant Iraqi mother and her toddler waiting in an
apartment in Haifa for his turn for a much-needed heart operation.PS: Amendment: Younis is
2.5 years old and not 1.5 years old as I had mistakenly reported in
yesterday's blog. Yup, I did think he was a rather big baby... until I
heard him speak quite a bit to his mum when I was out of his sight.
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Wednesday, July 4, 2007Younis Finally Reaches
IsraelFiled
by
Pictured
above: Shevet driver Simantov, Zhino and her mother, Shevet worker Lee
Liang Chian, Younis and his mother, and Shevet staffer Jenae after
their arrival in Israel
Today has been a long
and
tiring day for both Younis and his mum, as they were brought over from
Jordan to Haifa, Israel. They were on the road after breakfast, with
about an hour and a half of rest in Amman, and it was back on the road
again. Fortunately, the border crossing was relatively smooth although
it still took over two hours for all of us (including Zhino and her
mum) to clear the security checks.
I found out last night
that Younis’ mum is six months pregnant with her second
child! So it has not been easy for her to handle her fussy one-year-old
who isn’t too keen to interact with anyone other than his
mummy. Hopefully, Younis will open up more once I (LC) get my hands on
my bag of toys which I’ve left behind in the apartment in
Haifa.Simantove drove the
Shevet van to the terminal to meet us. While loading up the luggages, I
took a couple of photos but within minutes, the security people came
and made me delete them from the camera. Sorry, no photos of
the crossing of Younis and Zhino into Israel!
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Tuesday, July 3, 2007 From Chicken Pox to
Heart SurgeryFiled
by
One-and-a-half year old Younis
has recovered from chicken-pox, although his little face still bears
marks from his ‘battle’ with the virus which
delayed his travel to Israel for his operation. And tomorrow, he will
cross over to Israel where he will wait his turn to be admitted into
Haifa’s Rambam Hospital. In
the past several weeks, Younis and his mum, who is pregnant with her
second child, have been staying at the apartment where
Shevet’s Jordan coordinator Dirk and his family live.
Do keep Younis and his
mum in prayer. This is the boy’s second chance to be operated
on, as his case was considered too complicated and was previously
rejected by another hospital.
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me when Younis' page is updated
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 Tuesday
June 5, 2007
Younis, 3 Others to
Arrive In
Israel Tomorrow
Filed
by
Younis and three other
Iraqi patients will travel to Israel from Jordan on Wednesday, in
preparation for heart treatment at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.
Younis seems to be the
most sick of them all. You can see the blue around his lips and he
finds it difficult to walk,
although he is two years old.
His mother is four months pregnant. The family is very thankful that
they have been accepted
for surgery, since other hospitals
classified him as "non operable." So please keep him in your prayers.
We'll update
this page with more details after Younis and his mother arrive in
Israel.
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me when Younis' page is updated
at this
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