Soz's Heart Surgery

Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Soz Goes Home
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We arrived at 9am today at the Shevet Achim house where some of the Shevet team said their final goodbyes to little 2 1/2 year old Soz and her mother. (Click the play arrow below to see Soz blow a last farewell kiss to Donna).

It was such a joy for us to see bright-eyed, energetic Soz who, two months earlier, was a very sick little girl. Her father and two older sisters were anxiously waiting in Jordan to finally see them again after two long months of separation while Soz was in the hospital.

One of the desires of Soz's mother was to visit the Dome of the Rock. So upon leaving the Shevet office, my family (my husband Hank, and our children AbbyRose and Levi), traveled with Soz and her mother to give her this opportunity.

It took quite a bit of work to locate where she was permitted to enter the Temple Mount, but after almost two hours of speaking with various security personnel and driving to the correct gate, Soz and her mom were able to spend some time in prayer. It was also our desire to take them to visit the Garden Tomb, but time was short, and we needed to continue in our travels to get them safely to the Jordanian border.

Before leaving Israel, Soz's mother expressed an interest in visiting a money changer to exchange her shekels for Jordanian dinar. When the money changer was told of the purpose of their travel to Israel for this operation for little Soz, he

and another man blessed Soz's mother with quite a bit of extra money, in addtion to what she wanted to exchange. Though Soz's mom did not want to accept it, we encouraged her to do so as these men wanted to bless her family.

Our little group arrived at the Jordanian border close to 2pm, and were blessed to have easy access to the terminal, helped Soz's mom get her paperwork in order, get her luggage loaded onto the bus, and say our goodbyes. What a sense of fulfillment to see a child who comes to this country so very sick and a mother desperate for her daughter, return home with a very healthy little girl, in jubilation to be reunited with her family!

On our way back to Jerusalem, we phoned Soz's father, and were rejoicing that this family was together once again.

Today Soz's father wrote staff member Donna the following letter:

Dear Donna,

First thank for God, I know that our God is most merciful; I would like to inform you something during this two month every day I pray more than 20 time first I pray for all other children then I pray for Soz, I could not know how can I thank you and your team, you really did a great job, I will pray for you all every time till I died and I will never forget you, God bless you all, I really would like to met you if it’s possible please when you come to Amman just let me know, I appreciate your effort, regarding the dentist I will arrange for that very soon and will do what ever need.

Pass my regard to all your team and doctors, nurses, cleaner……etc.

Thank you again and God bless you all.

Best Regards

Soz's father

And God bless all you readers for sharing the journey with Soz!

Monday, December 3, 2007
Excellent Results... "When Can We Go Home?"
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Soz returned to Wolfson today to have her echo-cardiogram done, and according to Dr Katz who examined her, the results were "excellent". And throughout the rest of this afternoon, her mother kept asking me when would Soz be released to return to Iraq! This was the most important FAQ, next to the other FAQ, "Can we go canyon (shopping mall)?" Alas, I do not have the doctor's confirmed answer to the first FAQ, and I have no authority to grant her the clearance for the second.

When permission was granted by the Save A Child's Heart staff overseeing their transport arrangements today, the mothers of of Soz, Hedi and Rayan merrily trooped off to the shopping mall within the hospital compounds. After some 20 minutes, I went to look for them and found them buying some snacks for their children. Soz was impatient to tear open her "chokolata" (chocolates).

As we were leaving the snack shop, I received a call to get the mothers back to the pediatric ward as their transport would soon be coming for them. Amidst pleas alternating with 'protests', I had to get the three Iraqi mothers and their children on their way back to the ward. And then, another call came in to inform me that so long as they are back at the ward by 3.00pm, it will be alright for them to stay longer in the 'canyon'.

All I can say is, the little troop scampered back into the 'canyon' in double-quick time, and while I watched over the children seated in their strollers, their

mothers headed for McDonald's to get some vanilla soft ice-cream. As soon as her mother went off, Soz screamed and cried... and nothing can console her, not even her treasured pacificier!

Her ice-cream arrived, and so did a call from her daddy... but Soz was too busy to talk to her daddy, and left her mommy to attend to his queries, which also pertained to the first and foremost FAQ of Soz's mother ie. when can Soz go home?

Although Soz's release seemed delayed, she has been doing well in spite of the little bouts of fever. Meanwhile she has become great friends with Rayan and her mother tells me, "Soz loves Rayan!" When I visited them at the Save A Child's Heart house, I could see how Soz loves Rayan, or rather, loves sharing Rayan's food and drink!

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Thursday, November 22, 2007
Eating Well for Daddy
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Soz is out of the ICU and in the children's ward. But today, she is running a slight fever, at 38 degrees. It is still a mystery as to why this girl runs a fever every now and then, which has happened several times and which was why her operation had been delayed till just three days ago. As she is put on antibiotics, she will be staying on at the hospital for awhile before being released to rest at the Save A Child's Heart house.

When I arrived at the ward, Soz was fussing and kicking her feet while the Iraqi mothers were chatting among themselves. The women had just finished their lunch and wanted me to show them their children's blogs on Shevet Achim's website. Unfortunately, the computer room is usually closed for the rest of the day after 12 noon.

Soz's mother gave her some chicken snitzel from her lunch box but Soz didn't want it... well, not until her mother told her that I would video her eating the chicken and upload the footage on the internet for her "bowka" (father / daddy) to see. The idea of being a "movie star" definitely whetted the little girl's appetite... just watch how she chomps on the chicken in the video clip below! (Click the arrow to watch.)

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Thursday
November 22, 2007
Already in Children's Ward!
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We went first to the ICU last night, planning to visit with the patients there before going to the ward to visit. We saw Hedi and Ahmad, but Soz was nowhere to be seen! When we asked Hedi's mother about that, she said he was in the room beside Rayan now. I thought I must have misunderstood, and asked if she meant the intermediate ICU, but she said no, they had taken her straight to the ward - Autumn and I were amazed!

As we approached the room where Soz was staying, we heard her cries, and saw her mother walking across the hall with her to the nurses' station. Soz had pulled part of the bandaging off her arm where the medicine IV port was, and much to her distress, the nurses were rebandaging it for her as I walked in. She finished her cries as soon as they finished their work, but she was not in a sociable mood. She seemed pretty sleepy, but wanted to rest in her mother's arms and was not satisfied otherwise. Having to take a breathing treatment only added to her unhappiness, since she is too young to realize how quickly she is getting well. Even presenting her with a pretty little coat which had been donated to us did not impress thi

s normally fashion-conscious little girl last night. However, when I asked if I could take her picture to put on the internet for her daddy to see - WOW!! - what a change! She not only showed a big beautiful smile for her Baba, she asked for another special shot so he could see her pacifier. I promised her I would put it online for him to see. :-)

The nurses said that Soz is making a good recovery; everything is going well. Praise God!

Continue praying for Soz and her mother through this uncomfortable healing time as Soz expresses her displeasure and her mother continues to give her the best care she can. We believe that soon she'll be on her way out of the hospital, and after the doctors follow up for a couple of weeks, if all continues to go so well, she will be heading home to her beloved Baba and sisters.

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Tuesday
November 20, 2007

Very Much Herself

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Soz is very much herself today... she was fussing for her pacifier in spite of having to have the oxygen mask on, and her devoted mother was more than ready to oblige the child, only too happy that Soz is behaving as she would normally! (Click the play arrow below to watch a video clip.)

I was told there was some drama in the ICU this morning, and it was not Soz who was the star but her mother! When the doctor was removing a tube from Soz, her mother was watching... and then she fainted! It sounded rather funny when the nurse told me what had happened, but the situation then was probably far from being so. Because instead of merely attending to a screaming child, there was an extra 'patient' when her mother fainted, simply for lack of food and stamina, as she had been too anxious over Soz to take good care of herself.

While we were talking by her bed, suddenly the sensors on Soz's body triggered the machine to beep. The doctor came by to check and ordered some medication to be given. He explained that Soz's blood pressure went up and that the medication was just something to enable Soz to pass urine, which supposedly would alleviate her condition.

About half an hour later, Soz started to cry and her mother translated for me that Soz wanted to "pee-pee' (urinate). So I told her that Soz can simply do it as she had her diapers on, and this in turn was conveyed to the little girl. There was no further fuss after that.

Before I left, I reminded Soz's mother to stay calm and not to panic whenever her daughter cries, as the fuss can be easily transferred to the child who would then cry even more. She agreed, and promised to take care of herself too.

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Monday, November 19, 2007
Going In Tears, Returning In Joy
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Soz had her long-awaited surgery today, and is currently stable and resting in the ICU. She was the second surgery of the day on the doctor's schedule, and the long wait without food or water made for a very challenging day for her and her mother. Soz's mother came to me as soon as we saw each other to ask if Soz had to keep waiting without food for the whole time, since they'd told her it would probably be about two o'clock before she would go for surgery. Of course, Soz did have to wait, so was expressing her unhappiness with many tears, but
finally fell asleep in the early afternoon.

Soon it was time for Soz to go for her surgery, and this woke her up. As soon as she woke up, she realized again that she was hungry, so she cried all the way down the hall as her mother carried her to the surgery area. The stress of the waiting and the wails of her daughter brought tears to her mother too, and by the time they reached us in the hallway (where we were waiting for Hedi to come out of his surgery), Soz's mother asked if I would go with her to the pre-operating room. I was glad to go along to comfort her and thankful I could leave our friend Robin with Hedi's mother to await his return.

Although Soz's mother and I were comforted to see that the Chinese nurse Anita, a familiar face from the Save a Child's Heart house, was there, Soz was only consoled when we found among the toys in this final pediatric pre-op room some child-sized umbrellas. As we each opened an umbrella and pretended to keep ourselves dry from the rain, Soz quit crying! Nurse Anita shared with us that Soz's surgery would be only two hours, and was among the easiest heart surgeries, which was wonderful to hear. Soon the nurse came in to give Soz the medicine to help her sleep so they could take her from her mother and into the OR, and this transition went rather quickly and smoothly. Her mother, on the other hand, then was able to release her tears, so we sat for a few minutes to let her regain her composure. The nurses kindly assisted us out to the waiting areas, and we slowly made our way back to the children's ward where she could wait with the other mothers for company.

It was not long until these two hours had passed, and I saw Dr. Sasson in the hallway. He told us that Soz's surgery was finished and soon she would be wheeled up from the OR. As we waited, Soz's mother called her husband to give him the news, with a promise that we'd have more details soon. And when Soz's gurney came through the hall, we were able to walk together beside her bed as she was taken to the ICU.

After waiting again for almost an hour while all the necessary equipment was put in place, we were allowed to go in to see Soz. The doctor reported that she is stable, the hole is closed, and she is doing very well. She was resting quietly when I left.

Please pray for Soz to have a smooth and supernaturally quick recovery. She is an active girl, so her mother will need our prayers to manage her when her energy begins to return as the sedation wears off. Pray that her mother will rest well tonight so as Soz wakes up she will be ready to attend to her needs during this recuperation time. And join us in thanking God for all He has done to bring this beautiful little girl through her surgery and to a new life.

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Sunday
November 18, 2007
Surgery Day Tomorrow?
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This afternoon, while I was on the phone being notified that Soz and Hedi were heading towards Wolfson for their check-up, I saw them getting off the taxi with their mothers. I quickly left the ICU, where I was visiting with Ahmad and his mother, to welcome them.

After reporting at the nurses' station, Soz and Hedi were brought to have their X-rays done. Rayan's mother also came along, glad to have some company as she had been the only Iraqi mother staying at the hospital for the last few days.

While waiting for her turn at the X-ray department, Soz finished up her bottle of milk after some encouragement. She was delighted to show off her empty milk bottle. (Click the play arrow below to watch a video clip of this.)

Soz's next 'act' for the camera was to call her daddy. She insisted on whipping out her mother's mobile, and though she didn't get her call, she was satisfied just to have her picture taken!

Thankfully, Soz has been fever-free for the past week or so. If the results of today's X-ray and check-up are good, Soz and Hedi will have their operations tomorrow. Do keep these children and their mothers in prayer, as they have been waiting for a long time for the operations to take place.

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Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Perfect Timing
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Soz was enjoying playing with the other children at the Save A Child's Heart house today when I visited. She was happily involved in the action at every opportunity, and seemed to be feeling well again. Her mother reported with a big smile that her fever is over. This is good news indeed; let us pray that she remains fever-free and can be scheduled for surgery immediately upon the return of the doctors from their training mission in Moldova. Soz's mother is anxious to know if Soz will be the first surgery next week... only the doctors can determine that. But God knows and has the perfect timing for her. Please keep Soz and her mother, as well as her sisters and father at home in your prayers.

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Sunday, November 4, 2007
Finishing Up Antibiotics
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Soz's fever left her over the weekend, but she is still on antibiotics and has to finish the entire course of medicine. As such, her operation is delayed once again, to the consternation of her mother, who kept telling me that she has been in Israel for almost a month now, and the operation for her daughter is still not in sight.

One consolation though, is that Soz can be dismissed from Wolfson for a break at the SACH house, together with Rayan who just needs to be monitored for another week before he can be confirmed fit to return to Iraq.

Later, while I was visiting the Gaza patients in the ICU, both Soz's mother and and Rayan's mother 'disappeared' to the canyon (shopping mall within the hospital's premises) and the nurses were looking for Soz to have the IV needle removed from her hand before she could leave the hospital. The mothers came back with Soz and Rayan merrily licking vanilla ice cream.

To establish rapport with Soz, the nurse offered to feed her the ice cream and soon became Soz's new friend. (Click the arrow below to play a short video clip.)

It was relatively easier thereafter to remove the attached needle and tape from our little friend's hand, and she could even pose for a picture!

While Soz's mom was busy packing up to leave the hospital, Soz did her agile balancing act as she climbed onto her stroller, all ready for the open space she will be able to enjoy at the SACH house.

Pray for Soz's mother not to grow weary and discouraged with the prolonged delay of Soz's operation. Thankfully, Soz's and Rayan's mothers have become close friends and they enjoy each other's companionship and mutual assistance in looking after their children.

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Thursday, November 1, 2007
Her Winsome Smile
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Soz's mother was concerned that her daughter's fever had not abated, and that she was still constipated today. She wanted me to ask the nurses for help, and Soz was promptly asked to be brought into the nurses' examination room.

I have heard Soz fuss and cry, but I have not heard her scream and yell until today, when I witnessed her being attended to by the nurses. It took three persons to hold down the little girl, who was kicking furiously and almost bursting her lungs

and our ear-drums! Within minutes, it was all over.

A short while after, Soz wet herself and her fever went down a bit. As a form of protest against what happened to her earlier, Soz pulled off the tag around her wrist. She was given a new name tag and then posed for a happy picture of herself, just for the record that she has not lost her winsome smile in spite of her wailing episode.

Later, Soz and her mother accompanied Rayan to get his x-ray taken. Soz's mother volunteered to take Rayan into the x-ray room as Rayan's mother is pregnant and has to avoid any exposure to x-rays. Along the way, a funny episode took place. I had been taking photos of them and showing them what was shot. Then Soz's mom said to me, "Picture no good. Mama Rayan no good. No good baby" (pointing to Rayan's mom's tummy). I did not quite understand what Soz's mother meant until we got to the x-ray department. That's when Rayan's mother pointed to a notice and read out in Arabic the warning for pregnant mothers, and Soz's mother repeated what she had been saying to me in English! And all along, I thought Soz's mother was saying that Rayan's mother did not want her picture to be taken showing her in her pregnant state!! Confusion finally clarified.

On the way back to the ward, we passed by a little garden and the mothers were glad to be out in the open for a breather. The children especially enjoyed being able to watch the aeroplanes flying high overhead, while the mothers took out their cameras and asked for their shots to be taken. This time, it's "Picture good!" And Soz even got to snap photos of her mum with their digital camera.

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Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Persuading Soz to Drink
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Soz continues to run a fever, and her mother is getting more concerned that Soz cannot have her operation soon enough. When I asked if Soz is drinking enough water, Soz's mom said her daughter took only sips if she would even drink.

To distract Soz's mother from negative thoughts, I jokingly whispered "Ow, ow" (water, water) into the sleeping girl's ear and almost the very next moment, Soz opened her eyes and I told her mother to offer her some water. And Soz did want to drink! Soz's mother was simply delighted and rather amazed that the whispered 'conditioning' worked! We all had a good laugh, including Rayan's mother who was watching us.

Then I asked if the two mothers wanted to see Soz and Rayan on the internet, and very excitedly both of them picked up their children and away we trooped into the computer room. (Click the arrow below to play a short video clip.)

Both the children and their mothers were happy to see the pictures of their children posted on the blogs. Then they asked to see the pictures of the other Iraqi children who had come before. They recognised Sakar's father, who was present at the recent screening exercise in Amman, and saw how well Sakar looked, compared to her pre-operation

photos. The mothers were greatly encouraged when they saw pictures of the process of before, during and after the operations of the various Iraqi children on Shevet Achim's website. When I told them that after their children have had their operations, have sufficient rest and nutrition, they will also have a healthy glow and will soon be running about. Both mothers replied, "Inshallah" (GOD willing!).

While we were going through the archived blogs, Soz started to fuss and cry as the focus was no longer on her. I gave her a "fizzy" lemon sweet which she bit into and then most willingly, Soz kept sipping water and sucking on her sweet at the same time. She finished almost a third of the cup of water, the most she had taken at one go so far.

Back in her room, Soz fell asleep in her mother's arms. Soz's mother then gently stuck the thermometer into Soz to take her temperature. It was 39.2 degrees Centigrade, and Soz's mom started to fret that the medicine given to Soz was not enough to bring down the fever, and wanted the nurse to give a higher dosage. I explained that the amount of medicine can only be determined by the doctor, as Soz has heart defects.

Please continue to pray for Soz to recover from her bout of fever, and for her mother to remain positive and be at peace.

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Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Surgery May be Delayed by Fever
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Soz has a slight fever today, and her operation tomorrow may have to be re-scheduled. Soz's mother was rather disappointed at the likely postponement, and I explained to her with gestures and in simple English (which she understands) that it is all for the better for her child. Fever or no, nothing was going to keep Soz from running about.

I found her along the corridor trying to give Rayan a helping hand with his stroller. After I snapped a photo of them, Soz said to me, "Ka, ka!" and her mother said "Suzie" (as Soz is fondly called) was telling me to show her the picture. The little girl loves to look at herself in the photos, and she actually 'demands' it each time she notices the camera's flash-light goes off! Then along came two fancily dressed clowns and dear Suzie started to whimper and hide her face!

Please pray for Soz to recover quickly from the fever and that the doctors can go ahead with her operation soon.

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Thursday, October 25, 2007
Released to Children's House
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Soz's mother is a happy woman today because she and Soz got to leave the hospital for the Save A Child's Heart house to rest in a more conducive environment until Soz can be scheduled for her operation sometime next week.

The usually active Soz was fast asleep in her mother's arms while waiting for the taxi which brought them and an Ethiopian child and her care-giver over to the SACH House.

Do pray that Soz can be scheduled for her operation very soon.

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Cath Shows Soz is Operable
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Soz had her catheterization this morning and the doctors assured her mother that Soz will have her surgery next week, although the exact day is yet to be confirmed.

This news brought smiles to Soz's mother, who rejoiced when she knew that her daughter was "operable", unlike several of the other Iraqi children whom she had met at the recent medical screening in Amman.

Meanwhile, Soz was unhappy to have to lie down a long while after she returned to the ward after her catheterization. She was very restless and finally, she was allowed to sit up in bed and she lost no time getting her hands on her new playdough set. So intent she was at playing that Soz seemed to find it a bother when her mother kept telling her to look up at the camera when I was videoing her at play!

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Tuesday
October 23, 2007
Catheterization Tomorrow
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Soz was admitted to Wolfson hospital today so that she could undergo a heart catheterization in the morning. I found them in the children's ward sitting on Soz's bed after she'd had some of the prep work for her surgery. Her mother was a bit anxious about it, but Soz was happily exploring her hospital room. She had her usual sparkling smile and personality and was ready to look around her new space.

Her mother spoke with me about more surgery after the catheterization, but I could only tell her the fact that the doctors could tell her more after the results of the catheterization are known.

Please pray for Soz's mother in the morning as she goes through the waiting time while Soz is in surgery. Thankfully the mothers of Karwan and Rayan will be there to give her moral support, and some of our Shevet staff will be there as well. We will update you.

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Sunday
October 21, 2007
Waiting for Surgery Date
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Today I found Soz and her mother continuing to wait at the SACH house for her turn for surgery. She seems quite content there although her mother is anxious to know when Soz's surgery will be. Soz needs her surgery soon, but there are other cases which are difficult emergencies, so Soz's turn to be on the surgery schedule has not come yet. Her sweet mother continues to attend to her busy daughter, and they both are always happy to see us when we come to visit. Soz enjoys pretending to call her father on the phone and invite him to come see them. I look forward to visiting again tomorrow, and even moreso to the day when it is Soz's turn for the surgery which will give her a new heart and new life. Please keep praying for patience for them both, and her family waiting at home as they wait for that day - we trust God's timing to work perfectly for Soz.

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Wednesday
October 17, 2007
Blowing Kisses
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We had a delightful visit with Soz and her mother at the Save A Child's Heart house yesterday afternoon. Soz has settled in there and enjoys the toys as well as the space to play which is available for the children. We found her playing happily, just finishing a ''meal'' of tasty treats at the art table. As we visited with Soz's mother, it was clear that she is missing the other mothers who are all at the hospital right now. She is also anxious for the time when Soz will have her turn for surgery, and begin healing so they can get back home. We assured her that the doctors will determine the best plan for Soz's treatment as they continue to examine her and fit her case into their surgery schedule. As we left, Soz was blowing us a bounty of kisses and telling us to come back soon.

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Monday
October 15, 2007
More Tests
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As soon as Soz and Rayan arrived at the hospital with their mothers for further pre-surgery testing yesterday, they came to the room of Karwan. When they learned that his surgery was postponed, they stayed and visited until each had their turns for the testing and exams needed to determine their individual treatment and surgery. Soz was very satisfied to ride in a stroller during her visit yesterday, and stayed contented there most of the time they were at the hospital. Her contentment was disturbed when it was her turn to be examined, but there was no reason for her to be admitted, so she and her mom were sent back to the Save A Child's Heart house until her next checkup. Please keep praying for them as they await her turn for surgery.

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Friday
October 12, 2007
Active Girl
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I got to meet Soz today at the SACH house when we took the mothers of Tara and Karwan over for a shower - there were problems with the shower provided for them at the hospital. She is indeed such an active girl, just as I had been told! She seemed to be happy enough if she was on the go, and her sweet mother was keeping up with her by giving her something to entertain her in the highchair part of the time. Soz's mother was very happy to meet the mothers of Tara and Karwan, and they all visited one another during the time we were at the house. Soz is currently scheduled to undergo tests at the hospital on Sunday, and we will update you with news we hear from that visit. Please pray for them as the surgery approaches.

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Friday, October 12, 2007
Soz's Personality Shines Through
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They say her name is Soz, but I think it should be Tigger...

We arrived at the hospital on Thursday and right away all of the nurses began to compliment Soz on her dress, etc. and she loved it. At the hospital Soz's mother met up with Rayan's mother and right away there was a connection between them. They were able to speak Kurdish together and this put both of them at ease a bit.

As the nurses were trying to check Soz's blood pressure, she was moving around and kicking. She wanted to get off of the examination table and play. The way she was always moving around reminded me of Tigger. She would be beside you one minute, and on the other side of the room the next minute.

Dr. Tamir gave us a bit of information about what he discovered from her echo on Thursday. She has a small hole in her heart, causing high blood pressure. On Sunday she will go in for more tests. Dr. Tamir also told us that they will catheterize her in a few weeks. They will have to check and see how bad her lungs have been damaged before they can determine whether or not they can operate.

Soz is such an energetic young girl. Her personality most definitely shines through. About every 20 to 30 minutes Soz's father is calling to check up on her. It is very difficult for Soz's mother to be away from her other children and husband. Please keep Soz and her family in your prayers.

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