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Ali's Heart Surgery
Monday,
January 5, 2009
A Great Reunion
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When
I arrived at the hospital on Sunday, I met up with Ali and his father
as Ali was being transferred to the intermediate ICU. T he nurse assured me that it wasn't because of any change in his condition, but simply because there wasn't space for him before.
His bed was placed next to the window, but one of
the nurses moved him so he wouldn't be next to a critical
patient. Once Ali's father walked in and saw that Ali had been
moved away from the window, he insisted that Ali be moved back. I
agreed. As we stood discussing the matter with the nurse rays of
sunshine were streaming in the window along with a warm breeze.
Both were things Ali needed after three months in the ICU.
Our reunion was great. It seems to be difficult for Ali to  show any type of emotion; however, as he sat on my lap I could see a half smile.
Because I have been gone for the last month it is easy to see the
improvements in his condition. Ali isn't talking in full
sentences, but he is quick to use one or two words to indicate what he
wants. Before I left he would only point to what he wanted or
push things away that he didn't want. He seems to be much more
alert. He also seems to be stronger all around. I brought
him back a pair of shoes (that actually fit him despite what they look
like in the picture), which his dad put on his feet and helped him take
a few steps around the room.
Today when I visited he was even stronger than yesterday. He
enjoyed listening to some music while playing on the keyboard and
devoured the chocolate marshmallow snack his dad brought for him.
His oxygen level continues to fluctuate, but it doesn't seem to go down to a critical level.
Ali is still in need of at least one more surgery to close a hole in
his heart. Wednesday he will undergo a catheterization in order
for the doctors to gain a better understanding of his condition.
Following his second surgery the doctors said that there was a
possibility that the remaining hole(s) could be corrected by a
cath. Please pray that this might be the case. As Hank and
I drove home from the hospital yesterday, we discussed Ali's
condition. We both agreed that Ali's morale couldn't handle
another surgery any time in the near future. His one year
anniversary in Israel is quickly approaching. Pray that an end to
his long and difficult journey might be in sight.
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Friday,
January 2, 2009
Triumphant Ali Leaves the
ICU
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We arrived
at Wolfson hospital today just in time to see Ali's Dad moving Ali on
his bed into the children's ward into the same room as Wahaj and Havan.
He was surrounded by balloons and toys and had a big grin on his face.
It was a look of triumph.
It was so
good to see this little boy take this step and it is in answer to the
prayers of so many. He still has an oxygen canula but his
colour has improved. Please continue to ask the Lord for this little
boy that he will be fully restored and enjoy the life of a healthy
little boy.
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Tuesday,
December 30, 2008
Ali Goes For a Ride
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Ali
was all dressed up in a winter jacket and cap today and being wheeled
around in a stroller by his dad. Abu Ali said that his son
was
having one of his better days, and the ICU staff said that they could
take him out of the ward for a bit of sunshine.
Even
though he was feeling better, he still had the same emotionless
expression on his tiny face. The only time he seemed to pay attention
to anything was when his father offered him ice cream on a spoon. At
the sight of it, he sat straight up and opened his mouth for a big bite.
Ali
is still a very sick little boy and has a long road to recovery ahead.
Pray for the Lord to give him length of days on this earth so that he
may proclaim the goodness and faithfulness of Father to future
generations of Iraqis.
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Sunday,
December 28, 2008
Too Sick to Open Gifts
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Today was
my first visit to ICU to meet Ali and give him a few belated Christmas
gifts. When I entered the ICU, I found his father at his
bedside putting an oxygen mask on his face. Ali was sitting upright in
the bed, his big, beautiful brown eyes fixed on something across the
room. I greeted him with a big smile and showed the brightly
wrapped gifts we had brought. His face was expressionless, only his
eyes moved slightly. His father tried to coax him into looking at the
toys but there was no response; he just sat and stared straight
ahead.
Abu Ali told me that
Ali's oxygen levels had been spiking and falling for several days and
the doctors still could not find the reason. He also told me that Ali
kept asking for Keleigh, a Shevet volunteer who is currently in the
States on holiday. "He loves Keleigh," said Abu Ali," and always asks
when she will come to see him; he loves her like a mother."
Ali
has not seen his mother since arriving in Israel over 10 months ago at
the age of two years. Join us in praying for a miracle of healing in
this little one's life and for a joy-filled reunion with his mother in
the near future.
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Monday,
December 22, 2008
Back in the ICU; the Battle
Continues
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My visit to
the Wolfson intensive care left me sad as I saw how very ill Ali is
today. I asked the doctor and he told me they were not sure why he was
so distressed but they were watching his progress very carefully.
Please uphold this little boy in prayer, that the Father who knows best
will touch him and restore Ali to full health and true miracle be seen
by all. Ali's father is very tired and needs our prayers as he daily
sees his son struggle to breathe even with oxygen supply, and his heart
too is sad.
Ali smiled a wan smile and
asked for a drink while I was there. He is a very brave little fellow.
Following yesterday's report, the present setback is unexplained and is
fuel for intensive believing prayer.
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Sunday,
December 21, 2008
Out of the ICU for First
Night of Hanukkah
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As the
medical team evaluated Ali today, Dr. Houry said that they should get
Ali out of the ICU and into the sun since he has no more fever. As they
discussed his progress further Dr. Houry asked the team this question:
"So why is he still in the ICU? Let's move him out into the
ward."
This is great news after three months in
the ICU, and Ali got to celebrate
with a traditional Hanukkah donut (sufganiyah)
from one of the doctors. The look on his face was
priceless as he started to lick the donut.
The doctor
told me we would have to raise more funds because Ali is making up for
lost time when it comes to eating. They said his appetite has been
insatiable to say the least. They are also going to start weighing him
to monitor his weight gain. We want to thank you all for your many
prayers on Ali's behalf.
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Sunday,
December
14, 2008
Ali's Miracle Still in
Progress
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I
often see
Ali's father while I'm in the hospital at Wolfson, and always ask him
how Ali is doing. He is usually quick with a direct answer informing us
of any changes and the current situation for Ali. Today was no
different, as before I had a chance to go to the ICU, Abu Ali came to
see how Elaf was doing early
this morning. I was sitting with Elaf and
her mom as we waited for Dr. Tamir to make the final decision about her
surgery today. Abu Ali said that Ali was good, but his blood pressure
was going up and down. He visited with Elaf, then left the room until
Wahaj came
for admission a
little later. He enjoyed visiting with both
these babies and their mothers, and the babies both wanted to be held
by Abu Ali - he is so good with all the children.
I
was finally able to
get to the ICU to see Ali this afternoon, and he was very sound asleep
at the time. His oxygen was hovering around 80%, and he was taking a
breathing treatment while I was there. Even when the oxygen mask
slipped down and I moved it back up on his face a couple of times Ali
didn't awaken at all. I stood with him for a little while and prayed
for him, and then went to speak to Dr. Houri, the director of the ICU.
He reported that they had
removed the central line they'd put in recently, which we'd already
been informed about, and said it is good that Ali has no infection now.
Otherwise, there is nothing new. He said that we might want to ask Dr.
Tamir about when it is the time to do another catheterization on Ali's
heart so they will know how to go forward.
Please
continue your prayers for Ali's healing ... he has come such a long
way! As I consider the possibility of what the doctors might find
during another catheterization, I cannot help but hope they find more
evidence of the miracle in progress which has marked Ali's situation so
far. Remember to pray for his gentle father as he lovingly cares for
his son day in and day out. He is a special example to all the parents
as they go through difficulties with their own children's recovery.
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Sunday
November
30, 2008
Successful Surgery -
Gaining Strength
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I
was able to visit Ali on Friday and immediately saw that he was doing
much better. He seemed stronger and was even eating quite a
bit. We threw a small ball back and forth a few times.
He
seemed to enjoy this, however he gets tired quickly. It is
easy
to rejoice in Ali's miraculous recovery and forget that he still has
two holes in his heart, which remains evident by his very blue face,
lips, and fingers.
At
one point in the day I jokingly mentioned to his father that he needed
to give him a haircut. I came back the next day to find Ali
almost bald!
On
Saturday I tried to come up with something new for him to do so I
offered him a pen. He quickly reached up and took the cap
off. I found some paper and he started to
scribble. In
between each piece of "artwork" he would take the cap off the pen and
then put it back on again. I was impressed that he had the
strength and coordination to do this. 
Early this
afternoon, as Ali's father and I waited for
him to come out of surgery he asked to see the pictures of Ali that
were on the internet. We sat outside of the ICU and scrolled
through all of the pictures of Ali dating back to last
February.
The further I scrolled down the more the tears filled his
eyes.
As we finished looking at the pictures Ali came out of
surgery.
Ali's father watched him pass by on his way back to the ICU and then he
surprisingly disappeared for a few hours.
After
Ali had been back in the ICU for a while, one of the nurses
asked where his father was. I told her that I thought he was
a little emotional following
Ali's surgery today. The nurse said that he had cried this
morning as the nurses wheeled Ali back down to the operating
room.
A few hours went by and
eventually Ali's
father returned. He seemed relieved to see that Ali was
successfully extubated, strong and appeared to be in the same condition
as prior to the operation.
Please
continue to pray!
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Wednesday
November
26, 2008
Extubated and Doing Better
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Three
months ago Ali enjoyed doing things that most little boys like to do.
He enjoyed splashing water, kicking balls, smudging windows
and
letting toy trucks fly down a ramp.
Today,
after
nearly three months in the Wolfson ICU he is limited to holding a
little blue teddy bear and motioning with his finger that he wants
water.
Although
he has been extubated once again and Dr. Houry says that he is doing
well, I can see in his eyes and his body the stress and strain of his
last operation.
As I sat there this
afternoon, I looked
up from his bedside trying to imagine what runs through his
mind.
What does he see and what does he feel? Does he remember the
days
gone by and wonder, "why am I here?"
Keleigh
adds:
Today
I was able to sit with Ali for over an hour. It was the first
time since he has been awake that I could tell that he knew who I
was.
Like Hank, I can't help but wonder,
"what is he
thinking?" Ali was once a happy, curious, and energetic
little
boy. Now he sits with a blank look on his face. I
have
wondered if he thinks that his suffering is some type of
punishment for something he did.
As you
continue to pray
for Ali's recovery, pray that his smile, curiosity and joy will return
as well as his health.
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Sunday
November
23, 2008
Re-intubated, Weaker than
Before
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When
I first saw Ali today in the ICU he was asleep, but totally uncovered
revealing a rash on most of his fragile little body.
His
father came in shortly thereafter and the tending nurse asked him to
rub an ointment on his tender skin to relieve the itch. When
Ali’s father started to rub the ointment, Ali awoke and
started
to motion for water.
The
director of the ICU wasn’t around so I wasn’t able
to find
out why and when, but unfortunately, Ali was re-intubated and he seams
to be weaker compared to the last time that I saw him.
Because
Ali in intubated, drinking from a syringe was the only way his father
could handle his request.
The doctor
told me that he is doing a little bit better and they would try again
to extubate him in the next few days.
Ali’s
father is one of the most caring, loving fathers I have ever
seen. He is right there for any and every request from his
sick
little boy.
Jesus
is the only answer for this suffering little child. We need
your
prayers that as the doctors continue to treat him, Jesus would heal him.
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 Monday, November
17, 2008
After Two Months Indoors,
Ali Sees The Sun
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Equipped
with an oxygen tank and two IV medications, accompanied by the head of
the ICU, an ICU nurse, and a medical student, Ali made his way outside
this afternoon for the first time in over two months!
It was around lunch time when Dr. Houri, the head of the ICU, suggested
that it was time for Ali to venture outside. He said, "I just
wanted him to see the sun." Ali's father loved the
idea. It
took about 30 minutes to disconnect Ali from all of the wires and
reattach him to portable devices. With Ali's oxygen mask on
tight, Ali's father carefully placed him in a stroller and they  walked
outside. They passed some rose bushes just outside of the
entrance and Ali's father quickly picked one for Ali and handed it to
him. A few minutes later he tried to take it out of Ali's
hand as
Ali pulled away and let out a soft "na" (no) in Kurdish.
We sat outside for about 10 minutes before we were told to bring him
back in. It was a great day for everyone. Ali's
father
couldn't stop smiling and even put up a brief protest when it was time
to go back in. Dr. Houri was so excited, he made sure that I
took
pictures of this historic event in Ali's recovery.
As they placed Ali back in his bed, he continued to hold on to the
rose. He asked for water, but he no longer seems to be in
such
great desperation. It was obvious that this short
adventure
wore him out. After finishing his water, he put his head down
and
closed his eyes. A few minutes later he opened them and
softly
said, "botani" (blanket). His father
quickly covered him up.
In
such a short time Ali had managed to say three words (no, water, and
blanket). The doctors were very pleased by this because it
serves
as some indication of the neurological damage that he may or may not
have suffered due to the length of his medically induced coma.
Please continue to pray!
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Sunday
November
16, 2008
Slowly Getting Stronger
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Today
I spent an hour in the ICU with Ali and his father. Ali's
father
was full of joy as his sons health continues to improve.
Ali's
oxygen level fluctuates between 80 and 89%.
As
I spent time talking with Ali's father, Ali awoke and asked for some
water and something to eat. To my amazement, Ali's father was
able to give him a drink and some small pieces of a
tangerine.
Ali continued to ask for more and dad helped him little by
little. He seemed to struggle with every bite, but was
determined
to eat and drink.
Dr.
Houry, the head of the ICU, said that Ali is a strong little boy and
continues to fight to get well. The doctor's concern seemed to be
focused on a very expensive drug that is being used. He said that this
drug alone costs about $266 a day. Please keep praying for
Ali's
continued recovery and for those who are helping to make him well.
Pray that they will not give up on this precious little child.
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 Wednesday
November 12, 2008
Extubated Again; Stronger
This Time
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As
I walked into the ICU I was able to get a glimpse of Ali's
stats.
His oxygen was in the upper 80's so I assumed he had not yet been
extubated. When I approached his bed, I saw that I was
wrong. They
extubated him this afternoon and it appears that he is much stronger
than the last time.
Ali seems to be very uncomfortable and he is still begging for water.
(In the picture you can see him lift his arm and point to the sink at
the side of his bed.) Yesterday, after he begged me for several minutes
for water, I finally got the nurse's approval, filled a sponge with
water, and put it in his mouth. A few minutes later he
vomited
the water along with the formula he receives via a feeding tube.
The doctors are very optimistic, always confirming that he is
doing
well. Please continue to pray!
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Monday,
November 10, 2008
Very Thirsty, Very Weak
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While I was with him yesterday, I thought we were having some fun
playing with a ball. I would put the ball in Ali's hand and
he
would throw it towards the end of the bed. After doing this a
few
times I saw that he had a very angry, almost tearful look on his
face. I realized that he wasn't playing, but was throwing the
ball because he didn't want it. Instead he wanted
water. It
is so difficult to watch a child beg for water and not be able to give
it to him. More than any toy we put in front of his face, he
wants water. His father is able to fill a cloth with water
and
put it to his lips, but that is it.
I can't imagine how traumatic this must be for a
three-year-old.
Ali's hands are tied down in order to prevent him from pulling out the
various tubes attached to his body. He is fully conscious with two
tubes running down his throat, and he is so weak that he can't sit up
on his own. Please continue to pray!
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 Thursday, November 6, 2008
Ventilator Temporarily
Re-Inserted
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I
got to the hospital this evening to find Ali's father eating dinner by
himself just outside the ICU. With a sad look on his face, he
told me that they had reinserted the ventilator this afternoon.
As I sat next to Ali in the ICU, he seemed to be sleeping
pretty
soundly. After about 15 minutes, his eyes suddenly shot
open. He
looked over at me and reached for me as if he wanted me to pick him
up. It was a sad sight to see. He then just reached
to the
air continuously. He was asking for water.
The doctors said that the breathing tube will hopefully only be in for
a few days. His body was tired of having to breathe on its
own
and just needs to gain a little more strength before they remove the
breathing tube permanently. I did notice that, now that they
have
reinserted the breathing tube, his oxygen is higher than ever--around
85.
As I left, his father seemed in good spirits in spite of
this. He
seems to understand that Ali is still doing really well, but the
recovery process is slow. I thank God that Ali has such a patient
father. There are few parents who could go through this and
remain
strong. Please continue to pray for him.
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 Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Thirsty, Uncomfortable
When Awake
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Ali
was sleeping today as I approached his bed. A few minutes after I
arrived, the nurses came over and wanted to give him a bath, which
quickly woke him up. Afterwards, we sat him up and gave him
water. Even though Ali is properly hydrated, he drinks water
as
if he has just finished a long trek through the desert without
any. After he finishes a cup and his oxygen mask is on, he
will
reach for the cup, hold it in his hands and tilt the cup up on his mask
trying to get another drop into his mouth. The doctors will
only
allow him to have small amounts at a time, so after his first cup, we
spend the next 15 minutes calming him as he begs for more.
Much to my surprise, he doesn't have the same reaction to
food.
Yesterday, his father started feeding him yogurt. He took
only a
couple bites before he turned his head away at the sight of the
spoon. Today, the nurses brought him 'soup'. It
looked more
like a pumpkin colored paste. Ali's father gave Ali one bite,
which he swallowed with great difficulty. Ali opened his
mouth
for a second bite, but this time he just couldn't swallow it.
Suddenly there was this pumpkin colored paste throughout his oxygen
mask. We cleaned it up and tried again. Immediately
Ali
spit it out. I leaned down and smelled it and his father did
the
same. He then asked with a very curious and disgusted look on
his
face, "What is this?" He put the lid on and turned around and
threw it in the trash. We laughed knowing that if someone
tried
to feed us this pumpkin colored paste, we would have the same reaction
as Ali. I told the nurses that we needed
something different
and they laughed too as if they never expected a child to really eat it.
Ali is continuing to improve off of the ventilator.
With an
oxygen mask on, his saturation level is in the lower eighties, but he
is miserable. He sleeps most of the day, but the few hours
that
he is awake, he is very uncomfortable. He can't even sit up
without his father's help. The doctors are very anxious for
him
to speak. So far we have only heard soft cries. If
Ali
begins to speak it will serve as another indicator regarding the
neurological damage that Ali may have suffered because he was under
anesthetic for such a long period of time.
It has been very difficult over the past month and a half to watch Ali
lie unconscious and fight for his life, but it is even more
difficult to watch him now that he is aware of his suffering.
Please continue to pray!
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Sunday,
November 2, 2008
Ali Successfully Extubated
Today
Filed
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He
remains in a critical state. He has a mask strapped to his
face that helps with his oxygen level, but if he doesn't remain stable
there is fear that they may have to reinsert the oxygen tube.
Once I heard that he was extubated, I was
hoping to find Ali in a more conscious state, but he still seems to be
heavily sedated and has a hard time following any movement. I
have also noticed that he has lost a lot of weight. I can
wrap my thumb and index finger around his thigh.
Most of the muscle in his legs have deteriorated over the last month
and a half. When Ali does seem to wake
up he immediately begins to pull at all of the
numerous tubes attached to him.
The
long road to recovery has only just begun for Ali. Please
continue to pray.
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Sunday,
October 26, 2008
Ali's Eyes Open and
Following Movement
Filed
by
 When we got to the
hospital we went to the ICU and Ali wasn't there.
We found him in the intermediate ICU.
They were adding a sprinkler system to
the
ICU, so all patients had been temporarily moved.
Alex
was able to
speak with the doctors and they reported that Ali is slowly getting
better. They
thought that Ali may be blind or deaf
because he was sedated for so long, but they found out that both his
eyes and
ears are fine. The
doctors are still
unsure whether or not he has neurological damage.
Ali
was previously
on 10 medications and they have been reduced to four.
Last night his oxygen level went down,
but
has since come back up and remains in the mid-seventies.
He is now moving
his eyes and following movement, instead of staring straight ahead, and
he seems to
be very alert. His
dad was holding a
blue bear and Ali reached up and grabbed it and shook it around. Overall he looks so much
better. He looks
like Ali before his surgery.
We
want to thank
everyone for all of their prayers, because God hears them and has
answered. This has
been very encouraging for his father.
Ali is a miracle in progress.
Pray that he continues to get better.
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 Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Looking Like Himself Again
Filed
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When
I walked into the ICU today Ali was laying on his side
snoring. I
tried to talk to him a little, but he seemed to be pretty sound
asleep. About 20 minutes later the medical staff gathered
around
him to discuss his case. With the sound of so many people
around
him, Ali’s eyes quickly popped open and stayed open until the
doctors left. The overall report was that he is still
improving
and that the doctors are happy with his progress so far.
Today
for
the first time since his surgery Ali seemed to me to look like
himself. Most of his swelling has gone down with the
exception
for his abdomen. Ali was more alert today than
before. He was
even able to follow some of my movements. This is a positive
improvement.
However, as they reduce his medications, Ali becomes more aware of what
is going on. When he is awake he tries to gag every few
minutes
because of the breathing tube that runs down his throat. His
father said this morning he woke up and one of his hands was free and
he managed to disconnect one of the tubes connected to his stomach.
After
I left
Ali, I joined his father, Sara’s
father and Sara in the ward. When I walked into the room
Ali’s father was trying to convince Sara to eat
something.
Erica was with me and we both looked at him with
concern. Erica
then told him that he needs to take his own
advice. Ali’s
father wasn’t a large man to begin with, but he has begun to
look
too skinny. He told us that his heart is heavy so he
can’t
eat a lot. He said that once Ali is out of the ICU he will eat
a
big meal.
Ali’s
father
has regained hope. Please pray that God will be glorified in
the life of Ali.
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