Click  to send an e-mail message to Kale and her mother.

Click  to send an e-mail message to Kale and her mother.

Click  to send an e-mail message to Kale and her mother.

Keleigh and I went to Wolfson Hospital today, with Kale, her mother, Shanaw, and her aunt.  Both girls were scheduled to have echocardiograms. 

When we arrived to the hospital we found out that Kale wasn’t scheduled for an echocardiogram today.  The doctors decided to do an echo anyway and it was a good thing they did.  They discovered that Kale has a bit of fluid around her heart, which wasn’t there a few days ago when she had her last echo.  Apparently this water, if left untreated, can build up and put pressure on the heart.  This sort of thing is not uncommon after surgery and is easily treatable.  She is due to go back for another echo next Wednesday.

Following both Kale and Shanaw’s echos we walked down to the children’s department to visit Sara who, we discovered had recently been transferred out of the ICU and into the ward.  We also were able to spend some time with Shada, the child from Gaza that arrived today and awaits surgery. 

Back at the Shevet house Kale’s cough is continuing to improve while she keeps us on our toes.  Kale, Shanaw and Hevi have been continual entertainment.  Not only have they had fun learning some English songs and games (Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes is their favorite so far), but they also have a very good doctor routine going.  They use the plastic medical play-kit to perform ‘surgeries’ on the other children.  It has been a hit with the kids (and us)!

Thank you for supporting Kale and her mother while they awaited Kale’s surgery and also as Kale recovers.  They are very excited about their return home.  Your support has been appreciated, especially by Kale’s family. 

Tuesday
October 7, 2008

As I walked into the ICU, I was able to catch Kale's eye and the hint of a smile under her oxygen mask. The doctors continue to say that she is doing really well.  She shed a few tears as a tube from her neck was removed, and she seemed to be extremely thirsty, but otherwise in good spirits and on her way to a quick recovery.  Kale's mother is faithfully sitting by her side with occasional tears in her eyes as she praises God for Kale's healing.  Hopefully tomorrow she will be moved to the intermediate ICU.

Mary Dailey adds:

I saw Kale for the first time today since she's had her surgery. When we walked into the ICU she looked so little in that big hospital bed with the oxygen mask on her face. Fatima (a volunteer for "Save A Child's Heart") was beside her bed and I heard her tell Kile's mother that she was a happy child.

When we got to her bedside she was chattering away, even with her oxygen mask on. She told her mother to call her father that she wanted to talk to him. The nurse told them it was o.k. The only problem I could see was she was coughing a good bit but other then that she really looked good. She had that glowing complexion and what really blessed me was when I told her I loved her she answered back "I love you too," and you could really tell she meant it. Thank you everyone for praying for her and supporting her. This will be a big change in her life for the better. She'll be able to do all the wonderful things that children like to do without any worries about her life. The doctor said that this was a successful surgery and we know that this is another miracle of God because He loves and cares for His children. Thank you all so much because without you prayers and support this could not have been done.

Click  to send an e-mail message to Kale and her mother.

Monday
October 6, 2008
"A Perfect Surgery"
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This morning Kale went off down the hall toward the operating room, but there she had to have an unexpected last-minute check-up from Dr. Alona because of a persistent cough. After the examination, Dr. Alona said to Kale's mother, "Don't worry! Everything is fine, it's ok. The surgery will be perfect!" 
 
The whole situation was rather dramatic, as the combination of nerves, not being able to eat before surgery, and coughing made Kale sick to her stomach as we waited in the pre-op room. The nurse who'd come to take her right at that moment told us that because Kale was sick, she could not go to surgery. She called for the doctor to come and verify the situation as Kale's mother's countenance fell and Kale became more distressed. Several of the OR nurses came into the room to examine Kale and ask questions of her mother until Dr. Alona arrived. Thankfully and happily, Dr. Alona's report gave the green light for Kale's surgery to proceed and Mom made her last goodbye.

 

Shanaw's aunt joined us, and later both Abu Ali and Abu Sara were with us as we waited together through the morning and early afternoon. Kale's mother prayed continuously and read the Koran. Shanaw's aunt Sara joined her in prayer support - these two beautiful friends have been such encouragers of one another. Dr. Alona came to give us two reports through the wait, both with good news on the progress. Then we had the great moment of relief for Kale's mother when she saw her daughter being wheeled down the hall toward the ICU.

Dr. Alona was the first one with the report that as promised "the surgery was perfect!" Kale's mother was full of thanks to the doctor, and we both thanked God together as we walked down the hall to await Kale coming up to the ICU.

After some tears of joy Kale's mother called her husband to let him know Kale was out of surgery. After about half an hour's wait, Kale's mother was allowed into the ICU. She observed her daughter for a few minutes, and then we requested permission from the head of the ICU to bring in her video camera so she would have a record for her family at home of how Kale progressed in her recuperation.

 

Please join us in thanking God for this good report of Kale's perfect surgery! Pray that her recuperation will also be perfect with God as the receiver of all the glory for her healing. Pray for her mother to have the stamina needed as she begins the supervision of Kale's recuperation day by day.

Click to send an e-mail message to Kale and her mother.

Sunday, October 5, 2008
Excited and Anxious on Surgery Eve
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At last Kale's turn has come to go for her heart surgery, and today she was admitted for tomorrow morning's surgery. Although they are thankful and excited for this long-awaited moment, it was clear that their anxiety level was considerably higher today as our departure time approached. We gathered around Kale and her mother to pray and headed down from Jerusalem to the hospital near Tel Aviv just after lunch.
 
Kale did not even try to hide her fear and dislike of the blood work and IV catheter process - I think everyone in the ward could probably hear her cries! After this was over Kale was gradually more comfortable, and when she heard that Shanaw was in the intermediate ICU walked down to see if these two friends might be able to get a glimpse of each other. And later, as they waited to sign the papers oking the surgery, Kale found her way into the playroom. I left her quite contented there this evening.

 

Please pray for Kale to overcome her fear in the morning as she goes for her surgery. Pray for peace for her dear mother as she says goodbye and spends the day waiting for the results. She said to me several times this afternoon "Tomorrow at this time Kale's surgery will be over," and her face and voice were full of hope for the outcome. I too am full of hope for Kale, as I know God has a hope and a future for her.  

Click to send an e-mail message to Kale and her mother.

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 healthy.  It has been nearly two months since the children made their journey to Israel.  The hospital has completed all the necessary tests that are required before surgery.  Now they must wait. 

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.

Thursday, August 14, 2008
Kale Has Her First Echo
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Kale went to the hospital on Sunday for blood work and her first echocardiogram.  She cried at the sight of the needle as her mother tried to calm her.  One of the interns performed the echocardiogram on Kale, which took over an hour.  The intern wanted the resident doctor to see Kale’s condition so she was brought back in for a second look.  Kale’s mother, being a Kurdish speaker didn’t understand what was going on.  About fifteen minutes into the second echocardiogram I looked over to find her mom sobbing.  She thought that Kale’s condition was worse than her previous diagnosis because they brought her back in for a second echo.  The doctors were able to reassure her that Kale was operable and that they hadn’t found an additional problem.  Her echocardiogram revealed that Kale has two holes in her heart.  The doctors explained to her mother that Kale’s surgery will be only moderately difficult and that the prognosis is good.

The head surgeon will be out for the next two weeks so all of the patients in Jerusalem are scheduled for surgery in September.  In the meantime Kale, Shanaw and Hevi have taken it upon themselves to decorate the Shevet building with their artwork.  In the evening the mothers have seen mice, which they are deathly afraid of.  Kale and Shanaw decided to draw pretend mice to use to scare the others.  Nearly every day they spend coloring pictures of themselves, coloring pictures of Iraq, or making Kurdish name tags for our desks.  It has been great watching them have so much fun as they wait for their surgeries.