Hevi's Heart Surgery
Sunday,
October 26, 2008
Decision Made and Hevi
Returns Home!
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by
Last Friday, after
Hevi’s family decided against the long and risky surgical
procedure, she and
her mother set out for their return journey to Iraq via Jordan.
They
stayed with us for two days. Following
four months of waiting, both of them were longing to see their family
back home.
Hevi’s
mother has four other children; the youngest is only seven years old. Hevi and her mother were
very disappointed
that the surgery would have been so difficult. However, when we saw them they were
no longer
grieving. We know
that this has been a
very difficult decision for them, but now they have accepted the
situation as
it is.
It was a long
travel day for them last Friday. By
the
time they reached our house it was evening.
Lawk (an Iraqi child waiting for an Israeli visa) and her young mother
were very happy to
have Kurdish-speaking people around.
The two mothers
spent all Saturday talking. We
hardly
saw them all day. In
the evening we had
another opportunity to pray for Hevi and to call out to the Lord for a
miracle
in her life. Hevi
and her mother joyfully
accepted this and responded with a loud "amen."
Since we have
known Hevi and her mother for such a long period of time, we were very
disappointed that a surgery for her wasn’t possible. We really had hoped that
Hevi would be able
to live a more energetic and new life.
We
can tell that she has learned to live with the boundaries of her weak
body.
We will always
remember Hevi’s smile. We
pray that we
will see her again by the Lord’s grace.
Hevi
is really looking forward to meeting up again with Shanaw and Kale, the
two
girls from the same town in Iraq who had successful
surgeries. This
group of girls was able to share many
joyful and sometimes long hours together in Jerusalem.
This morning,
shortly after 5 AM,
we drove in heavy fog to the airport with Hevi and her mother. We said goodbye as they
began the last leg of
their journey back to Iraq.
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 Wednesday,
October 22, 2008
A Difficult Decision
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It
has been an emotional few months for Hevi’s mother, and that
emotion has only escalated in the last few weeks. The doctors
have
determined that Hevi is operable, yet Hevi’s mother is aware
of
how dangerous this surgery could be. Yesterday evening she
came
to Donna and said that she wants to go home. She
doesn’t
want Hevi to have the surgery. Jonathan called Dr. Tamir and
arranged for Hevi’s mother to meet with him today to discuss
the
various details of Hevi’s case.
Today as we waited for Dr. Tamir outside his office, Hevi’s
mother sat with a look of deep concern. Dr. Tamir brought out
a
simplified drawing of the heart and attempted to explain to
Hevi’s mother the nature of her
condition. Kale’s
mother sat beside her and held her hand as she translated from Arabic
to Kurdish.
From what I understood, Hevi's problem is somewhat similar to that of
Ali, although various elements cause her situation to be more
complex. If they were to do her surgery, it would be in two
parts
and they wouldn’t know exactly how they would proceed with
the
surgery until her chest was open. For the first surgery there
would be two potential plans that could be carried out depending on
what the doctors found once they were able to get a close look at her
heart. If Hevi has the surgery it will be a very long and
difficult recovery and there is a chance she won’t
survive.
If she doesn’t have the surgery, her body may not be able to
handle pregnancy, she will be restricted from most physical activity
and, because of the nature of her condition, her blood could clot
causing her to have a stroke. After hearing Dr.
Tamir’s
explanation, Hevi’s mom quickly realized that she was dealing
with option A, which was really bad or option B, which was
also really bad. She broke down in tears and called
her
husband.
Dr. Tamir took the next 20 minutes to explain the situation to
Hevi’s father over the phone. In the end
Hevi’s
father said that his wife must make the decision.
As we left the office Hevi’s mother told Dr. Tamir that she
didn’t want Hevi to have the surgery. Dr. Tamir
said that
she had until Sunday to make her decision. Dr. Tamir also
told
her that he had consulted with experts all over the world and most of
them said that they recommended going ahead with the surgery. However,
the medical staff at the hospital remains divided.
Hevi’s mother has a very difficult decision to make, although
I
believe she has already made it. Please pray that God will
give
her a peace no matter what decision she makes. And that if Hevi and her
mother do return home without the surgery, that God would enable Hevi
to live a fulfilled life despite her disability.
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me when Hevi's page is updated
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Wednesday,
October 15, 2008
The Answer She's Been
Waiting For
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We
just found out that Hevi CAN have surgery! We do not know the date, but
it will be after the Succot holidays which end next week. We will await
Dr. Tamir's call for when they want to bring Hevi. The surgery may be
in two parts, but cannot be determined until the doctors have begun the
procedure. I had the joy of getting to tell them the news, and there is
a joyous mood at the house now - praise God!
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 Wednesday
October 8, 2008
Creative Hevi Continues
Waiting
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The
past two weeks have been excruciatingly long for Hevi and her mother as
they've waited for doctors to decide about her operability. Dr. Tamir
was hoping to have an answer for them by last week, but instead, the
Wolfson staff has decided to consult with other experts in their
specialty before going forward. They want the best for Hevi and are not
sure if surgery would be better in the long run as it may not be able
to improve her heart as would be expected. Dr. Tamir hopes to have
enough counsel from his colleagues to make the decision by Sunday (a
regular work day here after the Jewish sabbath on Saturday).
Both Hevi and her mother have had some up and down days while waiting.
Hevi's mom especially struggled when the other children were all at the
hospital and only  Hevi
was left here waiting. Hevi seems to handle it better than her mom,
although at 12 years of age she understands the significance and
seriousness of the situation. She has spent the time sitting in the
office with different ones of us, chatting with us at each opportunity,
including helping with a mini Kurdish-to-English dictionary. We've
played lots of games, and done some creative craft projects. She has
been helping her mom in the kitchen preparing parts of the meals too.
Her personality is coming through--just how bright and creative she is
has been easy to see during this time.
Please join us in praying for Hevi and her mother. In the past day or
so, it seems her mother understands that we're at the 'no news is good
news' stage for now. Pray that she will know God's loving comfort in
these days. We all have our best hope set on what God can do in Hevi's
heart to make it new in every way as we trust in
Him.
Notify
me when Hevi's page is updated
at this
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Friday
September 26, 2008
Waiting In Jerusalem For
Cath Results
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by
Hevi
was released to return to the Shevet house in Jerusalem after a
successful catheterization. Praise God, the doctors were able to find
the vessel they had not been able to see with echocardiogram alone.
However, because Dr. Sasson, the surgeon, is on a surgery mission out
of town, the doctors cannot confer about the results of the
catheterization to determine Hevi's operability. Please pray that she
can indeed have the life-saving surgery she needs.
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 Thursday
September 25, 2008
Recovering from Cath;
Waiting for Results
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Mary,
Linda and I arrived at the hospital today just before Hevi had her
catheterization. She was in a good mood, and we had a visit of about
one-half hour in the pre-op room just outside the catheterization lab.
Her mother was brave but nervous as we waited Hevi's turn, and when
Hevi went into the catheterization lab, her mother couldn't hold back
the tears for a few minutes. We sat with her and waited together for
about two hours, and then Hevi was taken back to her room. After a
little problem with nausea, she continued sleeping as we visited with Ali and his father. Later when we
left, she was still resting in her room.
The nurse told me that Dr. Tamir will speak with Hevi's mother in the
morning about the findings of the catheterization. Please pray for her
tonight as she agonizes over what that report might hold....the tension
on her face was visible as we said goodbye. May God surround her with
His comfort tonight.
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Wednesday,
September 24, 2008
Tomorrow's Cath To Show
Operability
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Please
pray for Hevi. She was admitted to Wolfson Medical Center today for the
catheterization in the morning which will reveal whether she is
operable.
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to
send an e-mail
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me when Hevi's page is updated
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Thursday,
September 18, 2008
Hevi Practices Beadwork
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On
Monday evening we had a "birthday party" for the fun of it, for all the
girls here at the house. A special friend made a cake for them, and
they were very excited and looking forward to sharing it with everyone
who could gather to enjoy it. After the evening iftar
meal to break the Ramadan fast, the celebration began. It was a lot of
fun for four little girls waiting to have their turn for heart
surgeries, and all of us who were celebrating with them.
Some visitors from the US who came on Tuesday to learn more about
Shevet Achim also brought several suitcases filled with supplies for
the families. Among them were personal items for everyone, and toys,
games and crafts for the children. This afternoon I looked through the
collection and found what seemed the perfect way for getting the
creative juices of these little ladies flowing.
What I didn't expect was the enthusiasm of the parents to get in on the
opportunity by helping with the project.
There were many lovely
pieces of jewelry created today here in the Shevet
courtyard. Everyone
loved this craft activity, and says "THANK YOU!"
We thank God for the generosity of friends who've shared gifts like
these with us from time to time, and the joy these gifts
bring to
our guests while they're here with us. Enjoy the "Shevet collection"!
:-)
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Wednesday,
September 10, 2008
Hevi Continues to Wait for
Word on Her Operability
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by
A month ago we
were informed that the surgeon was going on a two week vacation causing
all
surgeries to be postponed. We
were told
that all of the children staying at the Shevet house would be on the
surgery
schedule for the first two weeks of September. The
first week of September has come and gone without
any surgeries taking place. It
was
especially difficult for these families to see Shana and Mawa come to Israel a few weeks after
them and then leave
yesterday
In the meantime the
children have found many activities to pass the time.
The Shevet office is decorated with
their
artwork, they had a water fight on the roof, and most recently we took
a trip
to the zoo. I think
this group of kids
enjoyed the zoo more than any other group.
For most of them it was their first time
seeing anything like this. As
soon as we saw the first exhibit, the
penguins, a few of the parents were on their phones calling their
family in
Iraq telling them where they were at and then passing the phone on to
the
children so that they could relay their excitement.
We had a great time.
Most of the
children dread the actual operation, but they have waited so long that
even
they are getting restless. They
miss
their families back home so much that they want to get it over with. Please pray that the
doctors will be able to
fit them into their schedule and pray for patience as they continue to
wait.
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message to Hevi and her mother.
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me when Hevi's page is updated
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Thursday,
August 14, 2008
Restult of Catheterization
Uncertain
Filed
by
 Hevi underwent a
catheterization last Wednesday and the results remain uncertain. Hevi has one hole in her
heart and an
obstruction of the left pulmonary valve.
Both of these problems the doctors have
confirmed can be fixed, however,
she is also missing a left pulmonary artery.
Currently two of the doctors are on
vacation. The
doctor on duty informed me that once they
return they will need to discuss whether or not it is possible to
correct this. If
they are unable to correct this Hevi will
be limited in the activities she is able to do for the rest of her life. Hevi and her mother were
understandably very
upset when they heard the news.  Unfortunately,
they will not have a final answer for another two weeks.
In the meantime, Hevi
has been enjoying playing
with Kale
and Shanaw at
the Shevet house in Jerusalem.
She
is quiet and timid compared with the other girls, but she has a soft
spirit
about her.
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message to Hevi and her mother.
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me when Hevi's page is updated
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Tuesday,
August 5, 2008
Beach Day Before
Catheterization
Filed
by
 Yesterday, Hank,
Erica, Amy and I were able to take the children to the beach
in Tel Aviv. Most
of them had never seen an ocean
before. It was
amazing to me how this
group of children reacted differently compared with previous groups. The last group of kids ran
for the ocean, but
this group required a little prodding.
With every child’s hand
clinched tightly to an adult, our toes entered
the water. With
time each child began to
feel more comfortable, but none of them went in past their knees. Their mothers also
didn’t want to go in the
water. Instead,
they enjoyed watching the
kids from their seats in the shade.
Hevi was the most
timid out of all of the kids. She
spent
about ten minutes in the water and then opted for a seat in the shade
next to
her mother. When we
returned home last
night Hevi and her mother prepared themselves for the hospital. She will undergo a
catheterization on
Wednesday.
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Sunday July
27, 2008
Hevi's First Echo Reveals
She Will Need a Catheterization Before Surgery
Filed
by
Hevi
and her mother went to the hospital today in order
for the nurses to determine the results of her PPD test and for her
first
echocardiogram. Her
PPD test result was
negative, but the doctors determined that she will need a
catheterization prior
to her surgery.
Hevi
hasn’t been feeling well lately. Often
the other children and their parents go
for walks in the evening, but she usually chooses to stay home. Please remember to keep
her in your prayers.
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 Tuesday
July
22, 2008
Hevi Smiling After First
Day at Hospital
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Today was
the first step towards surgery for Hevi as we made our first trip to
the hospital. She was quiet throughout the journey but she had a sweet
smile and the doctors were very welcoming to her.
She
was brave throughout the echo and injections even though I could tell
it was painful. Hevi came out of the x-ray with a smile and has been
settling in back at the Shevet center in Jerusalem this evening.
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Monday,
July
21, 2008
A Tired Hevi Reaches
Jerusalem
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After
a half a day's
travel from Jordan, Hevi and her mom have finally arrived in
Israel. Although they looked tired, I know that they are
ready to get settled in Jerusalem. Tomorrow, Hevi will go to
the hospital to have an echo done.
Hevi and her
mother spent a week in Jordan while waiting for their visas to Israel.
Our coordinator in Jordan hosted them together with other
Iraqi children still waiting for their visas, and reports:
"Hevi and Shanaw became good friends while they were here in
Jordan. Shanaw cried a lot when Hevi left today."
"Hevi
enjoyed doing
handycraft, coloring and cutting out things. We played many games
together and tried to learn how to play the guitar. But she
almost never smiles."
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