Ruwand's Heart Surgery

Thumbnail: 
Ruwand
Age: 
From: 
the Gaza Strip
Diagnosis: 
Tetralogy of Fallot

Ruwand Is With the Lord

Posted on Wed, 09/22/2010 - 00:00 by Jonathan Miles

This morning we received word from the doctors at the Wolfson Medical Center that--despite their non-stop efforts over the last two and half months--Ruwand has died in the ICU. Ryan was the last to visit her in the ICU (see his report below) and was hit hard by the news of her passing. He's written this poem in response:

Equation

And now you are gone,
slipped to heav'n at rush of dawn,
child here once, star now flung yon,
light for our hearts, baby Ruwand.

In the black-crystal heavens
where time-blind spheres roil
we find in your passing
wrapped truths to uncoil:

In every star
energy becomes
at hydrogens fusing,
1+1=1.

All gravity and heat,
the light and life that blind
illogical equation,
rhyming Time.

And what is of science
all beauty applauds
when childs life joins
with essence of God.

For Life is not tubes,
respirator's churning,
but some other Mystery,
with Creator, burning.

You are not gone,
Gaza child Ruwand:
Youve to heaven sprung,
the equation become,
you and God fusing
into some kind of sun.





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Hanging Tough

Posted on Tue, 09/21/2010 - 06:51 by ryan
Today I stood for 10 minutes beside the hospital bed of a very sick little girl, Ruwand from Gaza. My coworker Lina and I were allowed admittance to the ICU at Wolfson Hospitals children wing, and in one of the rooms five beds, dwarfed under an assemblage of ten medical machines, tubes and digital screens and fluid sacks at work, lay the child. Her body, unconscious, eyes taped shut, shook gently from the activity of the machines.
 
The scene was a stark juxtaposition of beauty and struggle. Here a life, fragile, pure, innocent, lovely, yet hanging, preserved every minute by the work of machines and the love of God via people. I had no words to say by her bedside, only a long look to have, and a small, unspoken prayer for the preservation, recovered health, and testimony of this little girl Ruwand. I really do not have any words now, either. Only to ask that, if you are reading this, perhaps you would like to say a small prayer for her too.


 

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Ruwand Breathing On Own, Still in ICU

Posted on Mon, 09/06/2010 - 01:00 by Donna_West

Baby Ruwand is off the mechanical breathing machines and still being closely monitored by the ICU staff. She is steadily being strengthened by the prayers and the grace of God.

Please continue in your concern for Ruwand, and for her mother who is by her side through these long days.

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Ruwand Under Watchful Eyes in ICU

Posted on Sat, 08/28/2010 - 01:00 by Donna_West

Tonight in the quiet of the ICU, baby Ruwand sleeps after Thursday's surgery to re-attach her esophagus to her stomach. Dr.Tamir and staff stand by as the machinery continues to breath for her (click the play arrow below to have a look and listen to the noisy machine keeping Ruwand alive).

The player will show in this paragraph


There are some difficulties with her lungs. We would appreciate you holding this child up in prayer. Dr.Tamir is hopeful that this will work out. We know WHO has the power to work it out. Thank you for your prayers.

Monday August 30 update:

This afternoon finds baby Ruwand under constant watch in ICU. The report is that this is very complicated but the infant remains stable at this time.


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Ruwand's Second Surgery Delayed by Fever

Posted on Wed, 08/25/2010 - 01:00 by Ellen_Husted

Ruwands surgery today was cancelled and rescheduled for Tuesday; she had a low grade fever, and the doctors though it best to reschedule the procedure. Please pray that her temperature would remain within normal limits and she would be able to have her esophageal atresia surgery as planned. Please pray also that her mother would be comforted and encouraged in this time as she has seen her daughter endure several difficult procedures and operations. Pray for peace as her daughter prepares to have another surgery.

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Ruwand Smiling on Second Surgery's Eve

Posted on Wed, 08/25/2010 - 01:00 by Simcha_Kimsey

After 50 days of waiting, many planned and rescheduled surgeries, Ruwand is once again scheduled to have surgery for esophagial atresia. She has endured many diagnostic tests and is currently in stable condition without fever. She is
projected to have a very long surgery tomorrow morning at Wolfson Hospital. Ruwand will continue to receive her nutrients through one of the many
tubes meeting her physical needs. As I visited Ruwand today, she was alert and
even managed a sweet smile despite all the connections in the way. Her hands
reached out to mine and I felt a connection that reminded me that we are all in
need of help in one way or another.

Tahani, Ruwand's mother, was in better spirits today with the real prospect of
surgery scheduled for Thursday morning. After a difficult week of waiting, she
even managed to invite our new volunteer from France, Sabrina, to come in and visit Ruwand. We joined Tahani as she led us to her daughter waiting quietly in the Intermediate ICU unit. Ruwand smiled so sweetly at us when we talked to her and responded to our touch by moving her arms wildly up and down. Her energy level is quite a bit lethargic, and she has a long day ahead of her
tomorrow, so please pray that she will come through this surgery without any complications and that she will be strengthened to endure the surgery.

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Ruwand is Breathing On Her Own

Posted on Tue, 08/17/2010 - 01:00 by Ellen_Husted

Ruwand is off the ventilator and moved out of the ICU to the intermediate ICU. She is still in need of another operation to connect her esophagus to her stomach, an operation which she might receive this week. She has no fever, but her temperature is close (her temp is 37.8; 38 is a technical fever). If she does not have a fever in the next couple days, then she will have her esophageal atresia surgery on Thursday.

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Ruwand's Lungs Still Having Trouble

Posted on Mon, 08/09/2010 - 01:00 by Ellen_Husted

Ruwand is still in the ICU recovering from her surgery and on mechanical ventilation. Her lungs in particular are having some difficulty; the doctors are still determining whether her delayed recovery is the result of congestion, infection, or some other cause. They will hopefully know more tomorrow after preliminary tests come back. Please pray that Ruwand would recover fully and quickly, as she has an esophageal atresia surgery to complete when she has fully healed from this heart surgery.


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Ruwand Still Intubated After Her Surgery

Posted on Fri, 08/06/2010 - 01:00 by Ellen_Husted

Ruwand had a successful heart surgery on Wednesday, and is now in the ICU recovering from the procedure. Although the surgery went well, she has some fluid buildup around her lungs and heart and has continued to be intubated (on mechanical ventilation) in the ICU for longer than normal. Please pray that she would make a full and healthy recovery from the surgery. A date for her esophageal atresia surgery has not been set yet, but hopefully it will be soon.

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Ruwand's First Surgery Set for Wednesday

Posted on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 01:00 by Ellen_Husted

Ruwand is out of the ICU and has recovered from an explorative surgery to help plan her course of treatment. She is scheduled to have her first corrective surgery on Wednesday.

Please pray that this surgery would proceed as planned; since Ruwand has had several surgeries cancelled her mother is doubtful that the surgery will occur as scheduled.


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