Zhino's Heart Surgery

Thursday
August 9, 2007

Goodbye, Zhino!
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We were so happy to see Zhino and Younis 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.

Zhino shows her scar to everybody... and her toy cat, which she received from the hospital staff when she left. Both children were welcomed back here by the neighbour children. They were wanting to go home so much and this morning we left at 08:00 to take them back to the airport. Zhino’s mother and Younis’ mother say thank you to all of you from all of their heart!

Sunday, August 5, 2007

On the Town
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Last night, Zhino's mother was rather concerned that the scar on Zhino's chest may burst open as it had done so before. Even though I assured her that the wound was healing well and that the scab which came off was a good sign of the healing, she could not be consoled until this morning when I brought them back to Rambam Hospital, where the doctors all told her the same: Zhino's surgical wound is healing well. That put Zhino's mother at ease at last, and she was in the mood to go for some grocery shopping with me thereafter. Earlier in the day, as we could not get a taxi from our apartment, we had to take a shared taxi to Hagefen and then get onto a public bus.

So Zhino had an interesting day, first on the bus and then at the supermart.

In the afternoon, the landlord Abu Amir and his wife Mary invited us over to their lovely apartment for a delicious home-cooked meal. We thank GOD for friends who look after us well!

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Thursday
August 2, 2007

The Drama Queen
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Yesterday, both Zhino and Younis 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.

Zhino is recovering very well after her operation, and while she was at the hospital, her main sources of entertainment were the television and the shows put up by groups of clowns visiting Rambam--a hard act for me to follow through and provide for once back at the apartment!

But Zhino herself is a "drama queen," speaking in Kurdish with exaggerated gestures and all, as if to imitate me when I try to communicate with her mom. If
only I can understand what this chatty little girl is trying to say, I believe she is entertainment personified!

This morning, as she watched how I coaxed Younis to eat his cereals using the camera to capture him taking his breakfast, Zhino also wanted part of the action. She pointed to Younes' plate of cereals, chattering away in Kurdish and nodding her head up and down, and then pointing to herself. Message understood. Zhino has her plate of cereal as well as her photo taken (see above).

Meanwhile Um Zhino seems rather stressed with the pressure of having to take responsibility to care for Younis (besides her own active daughter) when it
is time for Um Younis to deliver her baby, who is due in a week's time. Somehow it has been agreed between the two ladies that they will return to Iraq together only after Um Younis and her new-born baby (her second child) are deemed stable to leave Israel.

Please pray for Um Zhino to be able to handle the 'expected' responsibility well, and that she will not feel sidelined when much attention is being given to
Um Younis who is at the final stage of her pregnancy.

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Tuesday
July 31, 2007

Zhino's Halter
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Today Zhino heroically showed me the two staples at the top of her chest where the surgery wound had opened up during her shower yesterday. Another echo - cardiogram is required before she can be discharged from Rambam, and although the cardiology department's schedule seemed tight, I met Dr. Orman who agreed to give her the checkup today. The echo was done swiftly and the result was very good.

Next, Zhino was wired up with a halter which she has to wear for the next 18 hours or so. This contraption will monitor her heart and body for the various vital signs. The wires connect with a tiny cassette recorder which is put inside a cute black and white spotted animal bag which is strapped onto Zhino's back. (The bag is pictured at the bottom of today's blog entry.) She has to keep the wires attached to her body, but the little animal and its contents can be unstrapped when she sleeps or rests.

Because Zhino has seen photos of Omar who had gone through a similar process, she didn't make a big fuss of the ordeal. I'm appreciating more and more the usefulness of the digital camera with its big LCD screen for playback of both photos and video clips. Thanks be to GOD our Creator who has inspired man to create this modern invention!

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Sunday
July 29, 2007

Beaming with Joy
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When I visited Zhino at Rambam this morning, both mother and child were beaming with joy and eager to report on how well Zhino is recovering from her surgery.

Nevertheless Zhino would start to whine very dramatically and cling onto her mom's little finger each time the doctors approached to check her!

As Omar was back for his check-up at Rambam, he visited Zhino and together with Younis, the boys compared their battle scars with Zhino's relatively fresh one. Then all three heroically showed off their trophies and shouted something which sounded like "Shuttle!", meaning "brave."

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Thursday
July 26, 2007

Breathing On Her Own
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Praise the Lord, Zhino had a successful surgery. Her recovery was fast. The oxygen machine was disconnected in the evening of the same day, and Zino started breathing on her own. Right after she was awakened, she asked for LC and for Uncle Philip. Today I visited her and she was doing fine and happy to see me. Zhino’s mother is thankful to God for Zhino’s recovery.

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Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Successful Surgery
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The doctors told us that the operation on Zhino this morning was successful, and the procedures were carried out as planned. The next phase depends a lot on Zhino's post-op recovery.

Zhino lies sedated in the ICU after her operation to repair the defects in her heart. Her still, small form is a far cry from the pre-op spunky girl who often expresses herself with great dramatic effect, such as yesterday when she showed me the intravenous tube attached to her hand.
Um Zhino is much more cheerful today, as the "most difficult part" (ie. the intricate surgery) is now over. Besides, Dr. Barel had personally explained to her some details of Zhino's condition and the procedures needed, when he dropped by at the ward yesterday evening. And of course, it was also a photo opportunity for Zhino with her surgeon-hero!

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Tuesday
July 24, 2007

"Finish!"
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Today it was Zhino's turn to be admitted to Rambam Hospital. She and Um Zhino had to wake up a few hours earlier than their usual time, so that they could be at the hospital by 8.00am this morning.

In the waiting room, Zhino wanted to pose for the camera to show how brave she was gonna be. Then in the doctor's darkened room, Um Zhino had to hold down the restless and fretful child so that the echocardiogram could be done accurately.

Zhino's big eyes were round with wonder when she heard the strange sounds of her heart amplified! She kept saying, "Halas!" ("Finish!") and scrambled to have her clothes on once the echo was confirmed over, whereupon she was rewarded with stickers galore and a pretty star pendant.

Zhino's oxygen level is relatively good-- in the 90's. This belies the fact that she has a hole between the two ventricles (chambers) of her heart, and a narrowed pulmonary artery, besides two other minor defects. Beginning at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow, the doctors will perform the operation to close the holes, as well as to widen the pulmonary artery.

Pray also for peace and patience to be upon Um Zhino, who in recent days has been challenged by Zhino's restlessness and demands.

UPDATE: Today at 5:00 p.m., we met with the surgeon, Dr. Barel. He explained tomorrow's operation to Um Zhino via an Arab parent in the same ward. Um Zhino felt more at peace after meeting with the surgeon.

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Monday, July 23, 2007

Surgery Scheduled for Wednesday
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In the above photo, Zhino is partially visible in front of the man wearing the grey shirt.

Yesterday evening was a very special night at Haifa Baptist Church. It was a great time of praise and worship. The word preached was from Acts 2:14-21. At the end of the sermon my wife Violet shared a testimony about God speaking to people through dreams and visions.

Then Um Zhino shared about a voice she heard, while she was still waiting in Amman for the visa. She heard Jesus telling her, "Ahlan wasahlan." ("Welcome, welcome.") She knew that was Jesus telling her that she would get the visa and enter Israel for her daughter’s surgery.

Zhino will be admitted to Rambam Medical Center on Tuesday. Her heart surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday. Please pray for a successful surgery and a quick recovery.

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Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Death at Home as Zhino Awaits Surgery
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Um ("mother of") Zhino received today the bad news from her husband in Iraq that a relative was killed in a terrible bombing. She was crying. Um Younis is worried as well because she comes from the same city.

Yesterday both of these precious ladies with their children attended our service and came forward for prayers. It was a great time of worship. The title of the message was Jesus the hope of the world.

Please join us in praying that many in the Middle East will come to know that faith in God brings life, rather than death.

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Sunday, July 15, 2007

Reunion of Iraqi Families in Haifa
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Today was a glorious day for several reasons. First it was the Lord’s day. Second it was a reunion day for the Iraqis, as all three mothers and children in Haifa got together. Third it was a day of great healing. Omar is recovering amazingly. He ate a big piece of pizza. Fourth Sam was off of the oxygen for much time, and also ate several times, praise the Lord. He's pictured below as a living doll for Zhino's amusement!

Dr. Shirley is considering sending Sam out of the hospital for a week and then bringing him back for a check-up.

Tuesday
July 10, 2007
Zhino's New Haircut
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Zhino has been eating well. She is willing to try a variety of food, so she should be gradually gaining weight while she waits her turn to be brought to Rambam. She also needs to be certified cleared of chicken-pox, which broke out a week ago, one day before she left Jordan to come over to Haifa, Israel.

Yesterday, Zhino had her curly locks trimmed off by Mary, the lady at the flower shop next to our apartment on Allenby Road. Um Zhino is obviously preparing her little darling for her stay at the hospital!

With Younis and his mum leaving the apartment this morning for Rambam Hospital, Narmeen is concerned about getting a local SIM card for her mobile, so that her family back in Iraq can contact her directly. Her wish will probably be granted later today, after we have settled Younis into Rambam.

Last night, Zhino and Younis had great fun looking at the photos and video clips I took of them at the beach and at home. Then Zhino got really jealous when Younis gave me a kiss, so she in turn grabbed Younis and stunned him with a huge smooch on his chubby cheeks! She's gonna miss Younis' calling out her name every morning to wake her up!

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Sunday, July 8, 2007
A Walk to the Beach
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Zhino’s bout of chicken pox was short-lived, and she has been particularly restless the last couple of days. Zhino's mother and I had a busy time running after her to keep her from exploring the contents of the fridge, from disappearing out of the apartment to view the street scene, and even scooping a drink out of the pail of water meant for cleaning the floor!

So yesterday evening, I packed some pizza and peaches and took the two Iraqi families (Zhino and her mother, and Younis and his mother) for a walk to the beach near our apartment. Everyone got very excited at the first sighting of the sea from afar, and Narmeen explained to me that where they live in the Kurdish part of Iraq, they have mountains but not the sea. Zhino clapped her hands and yelled, “Bahar, bahar (sea)” for several minutes as we laughed our way down to the beach.

Zhino had a great time as she could release her pent-up energy. She ran around chasing after the wind and disturbing a couple of cats. As she watched the Israeli children frolicking on the rocks, she eventually plucked up courage and to our surprise and concern, she scrambled up without checking if any of us was nearby to catch her! Her mum enjoyed recording her daughter’s antics on her digital camera. The sea breeze whetted Zhino’s appetite. Besides the slice of pizza, she also ate some kebabs and potatoes which our neighbour Siham brought to us when we returned home two hours later. At four, Zhino is definitely underweight as she weighs the same as two-and-a-half-year-old Younis, just over 11 kilograms.

Although cheerful most of the time, Zhino's mother is anxious for her daughter to be scheduled for her medical treatment soon, especially when she sees photos of other Iraqi children such as Omar and Sam recovering from their operations, with ruddy complexions, albeit with long scars down their chests.

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Thursday, July 5, 2007
Setting Up House
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Narmeen (Zhino's mother) has five sons, and five-year-old Zhino is her youngest and only daughter. Nevertheless she does not spoil this little girl who tends to want her own way. But I found that coaxing and praise works well with Zhino, especially as she is running a fever from her bout of chicken pox and itching all over!

Zhino was bathed twice today (I think she’ll get another shower again tonight!), and she was delighted when her mum put some make-up on her, as diversion from the itching as well as from boredom at home. Zhino has made friends with Jennifer, the daughter of the neighbour next door, but these girls have their little ‘fights’ too.

Meanwhile Narmeen has naturally taken over as the “house-keeper” at the apartment in Haifa. She was one happy lady when I came home (after my visit with Um Omar at the Rambam Hospital) with her specific requests for sugar and matches. (Check out the blog on Younis to find out what happened at 5.00am this morning!). I added to her joy with a good supply of chicken, eggs, frozen pizza buns, butter, milk, and the much needed SHAMPOO! The two Iraqi mothers Bushra (Um Younes) and Narmeen (Um Zhino) washed their long tresses late last night (after our long drive from Karak via Amman) and again this afternoon!

Since the airlines lost one of their luggage bags, Narmeen needed to get some clothes for herself and Zhino. This evening, they were taken to the storehouse of a local church where Narmeen found not only clothes for herself and her daughter, but also household things for the apartment: cups, plates, water jugs, bedsheets, even a small knife. Oh well, the cleaning of this stockpile will keep her happily occupied tomorrow. And we are all grateful to have some useful things in the spartan apartment! Donors of a television and computer, anyone?

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Wednesday July 4, 2007
Zhino Reaches Israel At Last
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Zhino is pictured above on the bus crossing the Jordan River into Israel, where there is promise of a new heart and life for this Iraqi child

Today’s been a long day for Zhino and her mum (Um Zhino). They left the home of our Jordan coordinator Dirk after a hearty breakfast and headed for Amman, together with Younis and his mum Bushra. In Amman, they rested from their long drive at our apartment while Shevet staffer Alex went to the Israeli Embassy to collect their visas.

Zhino definitely has chicken-pox and her little body has many more ‘pimples’ by the afternoon, but we decided nonetheless to bring her to Israel while we had opportunity. Her mum applied some cream (left over from Younis’ medication for his chickenpox) and she’s a happy little girl getting much attention from Jenae and me (LC).

We had shwarma sandwiches on the go as we had to get to the Jordan-Israel border as soon as possible, because it would be another long drive all the way to Haifa. The weather was hot, and mid-way through our meandering journey, Zhino threw up part of her lunch! Apart from this messy episode, Zhino seems none the worse for her illness.

This blog is written in the Shevet van while the group is having a take-away dinner in Israel of juice, sandwiches and chips (pictured above; from left, our driver Simantov, Zhino and mother, me, Younis and mother, and fellow staffer Jenae). We’ll arrive in Haifa after 10.30 pm, and tomorrow, we’ll have to go shopping for some clothes as the airlines lost one of the bags containing Um Zhino’s things.

Despite all difficulties, we thank the Lord that this precious little girl is a big step closer to the surgery which can give her hope for her future.

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Tuesday
July 3, 2007
Zhino May Have Chicken Pox
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The Shevet team arrived in Jordan this evening to finally bring Zhino and Younis across the border to Israel, where they will await their turn to be operated at Haifa’s Rambam Hospital. (Their travel has been delayed almost one month as we waited for final approval of their visas).

Zhino and her mum are eager to go to Israel, but just a while ago, her mum told Manuela (wife of Dirk, Shevet’s co-ordinator in Jordan) that Zhino seems to be running a fever, and pointed to a few ‘pimples’ on the little girl’s body… possible signs of chicken-pox?!!

We will monitor the situation and if it is confirmed that Zhino does have chicken-pox, then she’ll have to stay on in Jordan till she has recovered.

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