|
|
Alaa's
Heart
Surgery
 Tuesday,
May 12, 2009
Alaa Walking Around, No Oxygen
Filed
by
One
of the biggest joys for me during our recent trip to Iraq was the
opportunity to see Alaa in her home in Dohuk. I was not able to see her
the day she left for home, and I was really looking forward to a
reunion with this little sweetheart. When we entered Alaa's home, we
were greeted by several other family members including her mother and
father, who were beaming with pride at having us there. Alaa was
dressed in her "Jilli Kurdi" outfit for us--special and beautiful
clothes worn on special occasions. It was a delight to be able to pick
her up and give her a big hug with no oxygen lines attached!
She came and cuddled in my lap for a little while which was a precious
gift, and then went to sit with her father.
She was not in her
wheelchair, nor was she on oxygen, but instead was walking
around helping the other women serve us refreshments in their gracious
hospitality. (Watch the video clip below.)
After the first serving of soft drinks, Um ("mother of") Alaa prompted
her daughter to help with more refreshments, so she cleared away the
glasses and went to help in the kitchen. Dirk and I were thrilled to
see her doing so well at home, and she was clearly very contented to be
there with her family again.
According to her thankful parents, Alaa is
using oxygen only at night at the current time. She is still bluish in
color as you can see in the photos, but we're all so thankful that God
brought her through the extremely complicated heart surgeries and
recoveries to her present state of health.
Let's keep praying for her
and her family as we rejoice in all God has done so far.
Saturday,
January 17, 2009
Alaa
Returns to Iraq
Filed
by
How would God deal
with these four problems?
* Lost airplane
ticket
* Empty oxygen
bottles
* Problem with the
van
* Lack of time
The
last leg of
the journey for Alaa, Hemin, Elaf and Wahaj was a real adventure.
Hemin and his
mother had been waiting at our house for three days for their return
flight and
they were a little bored. However, once Wednesday came and they were
joined by
the other three Iraqi families there was no time for boredom.
We
were all very
happy to be able to host Elaf, Wahaj, Alaa and their mothers here
again. So,
the night was filled with talking, praising God, sorting out things,
looking at
pictures and a little sleep. All the time Alaa´s oxygen
generator was humming
in the background.
The
return flight
was scheduled for 1 PM
and we knew we would need the morning hours to get out list of things
completed. One of the mothers had lost her return ticket, so we had to
rush to Amman to get a new one at
the Iraqi airways
office. Also, Alaa had used up almost all of her supply of oxygen on
the way,
so we needed to get a refill for her.
We tried to start
the day early, but our van would not start, despite the fact that we
had just
received it back from the garage two days before.
It took us awhile to get it started by
pushing and rolling it down the hill.
Fortunately, Dirk was still there and
could help with this procedure.
While
Dirk drove
off to Amman with the old van,
Manuela tried to get a
new supply of oxygen at the Italian hospital in Karak.
We found the man who usually takes care
of
refilling oxygen tanks for the hospital, but the connectors to these
oxygen
tanks would not fit the tank that Alaa had brought over from Israel.
This
man was able to give Manuela the address and phone number of the
company in Amman where we could get
the oxygen bottle
refilled. Praise
God!
Praise
God also for
the new Shevet van that we received a day earlier.
This additional van allowed Manuela to
take
the remaining three patients to the airport. Alaa had just enough
oxygen in her
bottle to get to the airport.
As
Manuela drove
the patients to the airport, Dirk’s was in Amman battling time. It can take hours in the
city to get from
point A to point B. Dirk
reached the
Iraqi airways office an hour later than anticipated.
He managed to secure a new ticket, but
still
had to find an oxygen refill for Alaa.
Manuela
reached
the airport in time. She
was able to
inform the Iraqi Airway officials about the oxygen generator, and show
him
Alaa’s medical report, which clears her to fly.
Once
all of these
things were completed Alaa’s oxygen bottle was almost empty. Manulea had already begun
searching for a
power outlet to connect the oxygen generator to.
Because
all of the
luggage was in Dirk’s van and he had not yet arrived, we were
unable to proceed
with the check-in process. The
next two
hours were very stressful for Manuela and the three mothers that were
waiting with
her.
Dirk
was
attempting to rush through Amman to try and find the
company that provides the oxygen.
Forty-five minutes before the fight was
scheduled to leave Dirk picked up the oxygen and began to make his way
back to
the airport.
Dirk
reached the
airport at 1 PM,
the scheduled time of departure for this flight.
The Iraqi Airway official understandably
became more and more impatient.
Eventually,
he
left and two friendly airport assistants waited with the mothers. We had considered taking
all of the patients
and mothers back home and have them fly with the next flight three days
later,
but we prayed against this option.
The
Iraqi mothers
and Hemin spent most of the time on the phone with their relatives at
home
explaining to them the situation.
Consequently, in the midst of the chaos,
Dirk was receiving calls from
nervous fathers in Iraq asking him to hurry
up.
In
the end, the
flight left an hour late because they waited for our group of mothers. Thank you Lord and thank
you Iraqi Airways for
this grace!
Quickly,
the empty
oxygen bottle was replaced with the full one.
Without time to say goodbye, the mothers
were escorted away with the
airport assistants.
We
would like to
ask God’s blessing on them.
God is
waiting for them in the same way the plane waited for them. Even though their
departure was delayed, they
did arrive home safely and in good health!
Wednesday,
January 14, 2009
Traveling
Day At Last
Filed
by
At
12 noon today Alaa and her mother said goodbye at last to the staff of
Tel HaShomer hospital. Tucked into her ambulance bed she
settled
down for the long ride to Beit Shean border crossing to Jordan.
Equipped with oxygen cyclinders, a new red wheelchair just her size and
an ultra large grin, she and her mother made the crossing to be met by
Dirk along with Elaf
and Wahaj's
mums. All went smoothly. She takes with her an oxygen compressor
machine which will enable her to breathe easily at home, and hundreds
of hugs and kisses from her many friends in Israel and abroad.
How we praise God that this little girl has been able to come to this
day. She was so excited and looking forward to seeing her family again.
Please continue to surround her with loving prayer as she makes the
long journey to Kurdistan. May the Father's love continue to enfold her
and her family.
Click
to
send an e-mail
message to Alaa and her mother.
Notify
me when Alaa's page is updated
at
this
email:
 Friday,
December 26, 2008
Standing
On Her Own
Two Feet
Filed
by
What
a transformation for little Alaa when we visited her today to give
gifts from various friends. She was happy and looking forward to going
home to Iraq soon, her mother said.
She has been getting excellent physiotherapy which seems to be giving
her legs more strength. Although she is still attached to a continuous
low dose of oxygen, Alaa's concentration is stabilising even with
exercise, and the amount needed is becoming less.
Please continue to pray for her as she makes these final steps to
enable her to return to Iraq.
Click
to
send an e-mail
message to Alaa and her mother.
Notify
me when Alaa's page is updated
at
this
email:
Monday,
December 22, 2008
Your
Prayers and
Letters Making a Difference
Filed
by
Alaa
was
sitting up
drawing pictures,with a sweet smile on her face, looking very bright
this afternoon. The nursing staff told me she was making good progress.
It was a joy to give her the many letters that she had received via
Shevet from her supporters and I translated them to her. She clutched
them to her chest and was very aware that they were from friends
abroad. Her mother was so thankful. We prayed with her and I sensed the
Lord with us as she just radiated a lovely smile when I told her how
much she was loved by Yeshua and by her friends worldwide.
Please
continue with believing prayer so that Alaa's mother's dream of
returning to Iraq with her little girl will soon be realised.
Click
to
send an e-mail
message to Alaa and her mother.
Notify
me when Alaa's page is updated
at
this
email:
 Wednesday
December 10, 2008
Making
Wonderful
Progress,
May Need Wheelchair And Oxygen Long-Term
Filed
by
Both
yesterday and today I had an opportunity to visit Alaa at Tel HaShomer
Hospital. I was excited to see her again since I had not yet been able
to visit after her move to the physical therapy ward. Our brief visit
yesterday happened as she entered the waiting area where Rasan
was going for his checkup. Alaa was having pain in her right ankle and
was coming to have it examined. Before knowing the outcome of that
appointment it was necessary for us to return to Jerusalem with Rasan.
This morning when I encountered Alaa, she and her mother were in the
small dining room of the physical therapy ward. She was doing a good
job feeding herself, and seemed to have eaten enough to please her
mother's watchful eye. Even though she did not clear her plate, she was
enjoying tearing off bites of bread and dipping them in her soup, and
had eaten a fair portion of it. I am noting these details because not
too very long ago this little girl was being fed nasally, refusing to
eat anything solid, and without the strength to do so even if she'd
been so inclined. Praise God for such wonderful progress!
Her mother explained that Alaa had an x-ray this morning to check on
her ankle. The pain and swelling were both better today, but they
needed to know what was causing the problem. When Alaa finished eating
she pushed her wheelchair back and invited me to her room. With her
mother's encouragement she began wheeling herself down the hallway
wearing a very big smile. When she saw herself on the video I took of
her she giggled and wanted to see it again several times.
Once in Alaa's room her mom brought out a cake and juice for us to
share. While we were enjoying the visit, Hank and Justina joined us
after meeting with one of the physical therapy doctors. He had
explained that the tentative timing of Alaa's return home will be
between the middle and end of January. She will undergo physical
therapy until that time and is expected to need both oxygen and a  wheelchair
when she returns. It may be that Alaa needs oxygen for the rest of her
life, but the doctors expect she will need it for at least a few years.
Before we left Alaa, I inquired of the nurse about her x-ray this
morning, but was told that the results were not back yet.
Please keep praying for Alaa, who I still consider a miracle in
progress. It was sweet to hear her laugh as she saw herself on video,
and later as we played a bit when she snuggled down to rest with her
stuffed dog. Every medical staff member I've spoken to about Alaa
always comments about how much they all love her and what a special
child she is, and it is so true of all who meet her. Today as I fought
back tears of joy over her recovery to date, I was thinking how much
God loves her and her mother, and has shown His care for them
throughout this long process. Alaa's mother reflects this in her
attitude as she patiently attends Alaa, and it is beautiful to witness.
Let's keep believing for the completion of everything God wants to do
in their lives.
Click
to
send an e-mail
message to Alaa and her mother.
Notify
me when Alaa's page is updated
at
this
email:
 Friday,
December 4, 2008
Out
Of ICU, Pushing
Herself
In Wheelchair
Filed
by
I
was quite surprised when I went to see Alaa today. Donna told me that
she wasn't sure if Alaa would be out of ICU yet and for me to go there
first. So I went to ICU and they told me that she was now in the
children's physical therapy ward, on the next floor. I found her and
her mother there, out in the hallway. Alaa was in her
wheelchair
looking at a magazine and eating snacks. Her wheelchair has a place for
a small oxygen tank.
Alaa started pushing the wheels of her chair and was going down the
hallway. She was really doing a good job of backing it up and keeping
it from running into anything. At one time I heard her let out an
excited squeal. She even started going faster. I called Donna
to
tell her what Alaa was doing. Because I had forgotten my camera,
Donna suggested that I get a disposable camera, so I went to
the
hospital mall and got one. The quality of the photo above is not the
best, but I was excited to give you a glimpse of how well Alaa is doing
in her wheelchair.
When I got back, I caught up with Alaa and her mom in another room
eating lunch. After lunch Alaa pushed herself most of the way back to
her room. Then she was ready to go back to bed. She brushed her teeth
and got set up with the oxygen. Her mother sat on the side of the bed
rubbing her legs and singing to her and she went to sleep.
Please pray for her mother, who is getting tired. I could tell she
needs some rest. I also know that God gives a mother strength to take
care of her children when they need it. There's nothing like a mother's
love. I believe it comes straight from His throne room.
God is doing such an awesome miracle in this precious little girl. He
must have a special plan for her life. Thank you so much for your
prayers and support.
Click
to
send an e-mail
message to Alaa and her mother.
Notify
me when Alaa's page is updated
at
this
email:
 Thursday
November 27, 2008
Doing
So Much Better
Filed
by
Today
I was able at
last to have a nice long visit with Alaa and her mother. I was
overjoyed to see her in the intermediate ICU sitting up in bed when I
arrived, and see her smile of recognition as I approached. Praise God
for the drastic change since I saw her a few weeks ago! I looked
through
some donated toys and had specially picked a notebook and colored
pencils for Alaa because I knew she likes to color, and was delighted
to see her  response. Her
mother
was nearby but not right beside the
bed, so she called out to her. This was not a very loud voice, but it
was her voice and not a whisper so that she could get her
mother's
attention and show her the gift.
She asked for a coloring book she's
been working in, and showed me all the pictures she's already colored,
and then began coloring one. I joined her and we worked on that page
until her fingers became tired. She stayed in the lines perfectly even
after being so weak for so long.
Next she wanted me to see her nail
polish ... she has a collection of 8 colors! But her happiest moment
during today's visit was when I turned my camera over to Alaa and asked
her to take a picture of her mother and me together. Her several
attempts produced one somewhat blurry picture:
But
look at the smile of
satisfaction which was the result of this activity!
When
she finished coloring she wanted to eat something. Her mom gave her
some chocolate cookies and began to tell me that Alaa is not eating
well. All she wants is cookies and chips, etc - in other words - junk
food! I asked the nurse what Alaa's favorite food was, thinking I might
try to get her some of that, but she said she was not sure how to tell
me her exact diet. Alaa cannot have high-fat foods because she has a
problem with high cholestorol, and also must watch her triglycerides.
Later when I visited Rasan
and
his mother she shared with me that Alaa
was being very manipulative with her mother with this situation. Now
that she is allowed to go for walks in the wheelchair, she declares
that she will not take her medicine unless she gets candy or other food
she likes, or tells her mother that if she doesn't give her what she
wants she is not a good mother. Hard to believe that this little
sweetie could be that way, but it is true. Her mother said to her
several times that she should eat good things so she can get bigger and
stronger and go to Iraq. But when she offered Alaa healthier snacks,
Alaa refused. We can pray that Alaa will begin to eat as she should.
I
asked her attending nurse about her overall status, and he said that
today she was having a good day. Her oxygen levels fluctuate, and
sometimes she has to be on oxygen, while other times she is ok. Today
she was on the nasal canula, and her oxygen saturation was in the low
70% range during my visit. The nurse went on to say that Alaa's heart
is still in bad condition although the hospital has done all they could
for her. This was repeated to me later as I prepared to leave. One of
the resident doctors said that all the staff are happy that Alaa is
able to make this kind of recovery, to be able to eat and drink and
talk, and regain her strength - she is learning to walk again too. But
she followed those words with these: "All of this is just temporary.
Her heart condition is very bad. We hope she will do ok, but we've all
done all we can. We love her very much; she is a very special girl. And
her mother too, always taking such good care of her, being patient with
her. But it is not a good situation."
As I returned
to Jerusalem I pondered Alaa's condition and how to pray for her. Even
though the words from the doctors declare their inability to do more
for Alaa with their medical skills, let us declare that God can do what
is impossible for man. Already Alaa is making miraculous strides, so
let us believe for no limits to this reality. It is God who gives life,
so let's keep praying LIFE for Alaa. Pray for her mother to continue to
have the stamina and strength it takes to care for Alaa. She shared
with me that now Alaa wants her there all the time, so she is sleeping
in the chair beside her. Um Alaa's disposition is very good, but she
told me she is tired. Pray too for us to see God provide the funds
needed for Alaa's physical therapy to continue as scheduled. The
hospital feels it has already done so much for her with cardiac care
during her five-month stay that they're asking us to cover the cost of
several months of physical therapy. There is no shortage of ways to
pray for this precious girl and her needs. Thank you for joining us in
prayer.
Click
to
send an e-mail
message to Alaa and her mother.
Notify
me when Alaa's page is updated
at
this
email:
 Thursday
November 20, 2008
Doctor
Has Never
Seen A
Recovery Like Hers
Filed
by
When
I went to see
Alaa, she was not in ICU. They said her mom had
taken her in a wheelchair for a walk. So I went to the hospital mall,
thinking that they might have gone there, but I didn't see them. So I
bought some lunch and looked for something to take to Alaa. I saw this
doll with pony tails like Alaa has, and thought that if she didn't
already have it, I'd get it for her. When I went back to ICU Alaa was
sitting up in her bed eating snacks and drinking juice. This alone was
a miracle.
Everyone really loves her there. The nurses are so sweet. One nurse
brought her two bracelets she had made, and another nurse was attending
to her very tenderly.
A doctor brought two people in, telling them about Alaa and
explained to them about her hands trembling. When they left, one of
them forgot his keys on the bed. Alaa quickly noticed this and let us
know so we could take them to him. She was very alert.
Dr. Katz came in and was telling me that Alaa had been outside and that
she was doing extremely well. He said that he was amazed and
had
never seen anyone  recover
like this before. She was not hooked up to anything. She only had the
oxygen mask on for a short time when I first got there, and she was
awake and sitting up all but for a short time the whole while I was
there. She did lay back and rest for a short time, but she stayed alert
and awake. Her oxygen was between 70 and 75 with no mask, and hardly
any wheezing.
I took a short break and went and got her the doll. It kept coming to
me that every little girl needs a doll. Donna had sent a pink stuffed
rabbit from Shevet and she loved them both, along with a big stuffed
dog someone had gotten her.
I have never seen anyone so close to death's door. I believe that
through your prayers, God has breathed life into this precious little
girl. Thank you so much for your prayers and generosity.
Click
to
send an e-mail
message to Alaa and her mother.
Notify
me when Alaa's page is updated
at
this
email:
 Wednesday
November 19, 2008
Physical
Therapist
Proud of
Alaa's Accomplishments
Filed
by
The past two weeks I have been unable to go to the hospital to see Alaa
because of our cardiac screening in Amman, Jordan for more Iraqi
children.
Although I miss seeing Alaa and her mother very much, I am extremely
thankful that other volunteers can visit with and love on them. One of
these special volunteers is Gigi. This morning she gave me an update
full of good news from yesterday's visit to the hospital. I can't wait
for you to read all that God is doing in this little girl's life.
When Gigi arrived at the hospital yesterday, the physical therapist was
in the ICU with her. He first asked Alaa to speak to him, to repeat to
him "shalom," which she was able to do in a whisper. He tried to have
her speak more loudly, but so far Alaa's voice is not strong enough
after the removal of the stoma from her tracheotomy. Yet the  therapist was
very
encouraged at Alaa's ability to understand and communicate with him.
Next he asked her to lift up her arms and put them down, which she was
able to do. Then he asked her to hold them up in the air, and this too
she was able to do. At each level of accomplishment the therapist was
very
proud and lauded her for her progress.
Next the therapist asked Alaa to sit on the side of the bed and raise
and lower her legs, and again she was able to follow his commands.
But when he told her to try to stand up, she said no, because she was
afraid. Even with encouragement she was too afraid, until a suggestion
was made that she try to stand on the bed rather than on the floor. She
was willing to try this, and with great effort on her part, and lots of
help from the therapist, she stood for only a second and then fell on t he bed. But the
therapist was
very glad that she tried, and Gigi said Alaa was extremely
happy about all she was able to do.
Besides this good news, Alaa is able to go out of the
ICU in a wheelchair into the mall attached to the hospital. She loves
to get out like this, and the only problem with it is that she is
begging for all the toys she sees in the shops they pass! Gigi says she
is seeing Alaa smiling a lot, and that Alaa is more like 'herself' from
this visit yesterday. Gigi shares that it is a beautiful healing
process to see!
Brothers and sisters, keep praying. God is answering as we seek His
loving intervention in this precious life.
Click
to
send an e-mail
message to Alaa and her mother.
Notify
me when Alaa's page is updated
at
this
email:
Click here
to go to Alaa's earlier
updates.
|
|
