We had a farewell party for Amin and his two travelling companions yesterday (Sulaiman and Zhiir). It was lovely to be able to share Amin’s mother’s joy and be able to speak publicly of her strength and endurance for her baby, and towards the other mothers.
Today, the three families travelled back to Kurdistan, leaving us early in the morning. It is a wonderful story of healing for Amin, and we have been blessed to know him and his mother.
Amin has been due to have a trans-esophageal echo (TEE) since his discharge from Sheba hospital around two weeks ago.
Thankfully this morning, a team of doctors asked us to make sure that Amin was fasting, so as to prepare him for the anesthesia required for this procedure.
His mother was ready almost immediately, and we brought Amin into the hospital. The procedure was fairly quick, and still Amin managed to win the hearts of many of the hospital staff who find him very adorable.
The doctor was pleased to say that the TEE study showed that his heart is in a good condition, and from this perspective, he can return to Kurdistan! He needs a blood test tomorrow morning, to finalize the plan regarding one of his medications.
Thank God for this happy day for Amin and his mother!
Amin has been in Sheba hospital for several weeks following his surgery and is recovering well. The cardiologists were planning to do a TEE, a type of echo-cardiogram, by tomorrow. This requires him to be admitted to the ICU, and there is no room there. The cardiologist decided that it’s better to do it jointly with another cardiologist, who is unavailable this week.
Therefore, as the baby in general is looking so good, the decision was made that Amin can return to our community home in Jaffa and wait for this TEE to be scheduled.
Amin’s mother was very happy to get the news and to gather all of her belongings and return to our home.
She shared the moment with some other Kurdish mothers also being discharged today.
As soon as there is a place in the ICU, they plan to call in Amin and perform the TEE.
Amin Amin was moved a few days ago to another department at Sheba hospital because he is continuing to recover so well after his surgery. His mother is happy about this and is taking loving care of him all the time. We hope and pray that he may continue to recover well.
Amin and his mother are sharing a room now with another Kurdish child and mother, which is nice for all of them because then they are not on their own in a country where they don’t speak the language and the time can be difficult. How good and how pleasant it is for brothers (and sisters) to dwell together.
During my hospital visit today, Amin was crying a lot and his mother said that he is like this all the time. Please pray that he can have peace and that his mother will be able to take some rest.
Amin was extubated already today. He is recovering well from his surgery yesterday and was moving quite a lot after his extubating. His mother is happy about that and said that her beloved son is already hungry and wants to drink milk. This is good news and God be thanked for that, but his mother knows as well that it still might take some time for lovely Amin to be well. Please continue to pray for Amin’s mother for ongoing patience and for a good recovery for Amin.
Amin went into his surgery at Sheba hospital this morning to close his new hole. His mother was told that the surgery would be four or five hours long. After around six hours, a doctor came out to tell us the good news that the surgery was successful, and they could close the hole. Amin’s mother was very happy when I told her that.
The beginning of the waiting time was nice spent together and we went outside for some time. Amin’s lovely mother really enjoyed that and so did I. Some of the other mothers, who are in the hospital with their children at the moment, joined us and encouraged Amin’s mother. I love the fact that they all love the Shevet community and that they are there for each other.
Amin’s mother was especially very worried after Amin didn’t came out yet after the five hours. But after around six hours, a doctor came out to tell us the good news that the surgery was successful and they could close the hole. Amin’s mother was very happy when I told her that. She is quite a long time in the hospital with her beloved Amin.
Please continue to pray for her to have trust in God and for a good recovery now for Amin.
Please pray for Amin; it looks like he will be heading into surgery tomorrow to close the VSD. The doctor showed Amin’s mother the views from the catheterisation and showed her the blood flow across the ventricles, meaning that it’s important to close the hole.
He is not in his best condition, he is not smiley or vocalizing, and he is needing oxygen. It’s not nice for his mother to see him like this, every day not improving, and so we are all hopeful that this surgery will help Amin to be feeling a lot better.
Amin had a diagnostic catheterisation today at Sheba hospital. His mother took the day steadily, but of course was worried as she kissed him goodbye. One of the doctors described Amin’s condition today as “stuck.” He’s not really improving.
The doctor from the catheterisation said they were able to observe that the hole in Amin’s heart is of a significant size, and therefore requires another surgery. He answered her question, which has been “why is this hole only being seen now?”
He explained that the infection in Amin’s heart seems to have caused this hole to grow and grow. Today, with the catheterisation procedure, they were about to see the hole’s size, and check the significance.
Amin was transferred to the ICU for at least this evening, as he recovers from the procedure.
Amin was due to have the Hickman line placement today at Sheba hospital, in order to receive anti-
biotics for the infection at the surgical site of his heart.
However, due to an urgent case that came up, Amin’s procedure was postponed. The antibiotics he is receiving through a normal cannula, are, in fact, helping lessen Amin’s infection, so this is a very good thing for him.
But please be praying for him to have his procedure on Thursday.
I found Amin sleeping peacefully on the bed of his mother as I went to visit them at Sheba hospital today. His mother was very happy to see me and greeted me with a big smile.
At the same time however, she said “Min terres,” which means “I am afraid.” I asked her immediately why she was so. She said doctors communicated today that they discovered her beloved son has yet another hole in his heart. I encouraged her not to be afraid, but to continue trusting God. All is in his capable hands. This reminder encouraged her a bit.
Amin and his mother are quite a long time in the hospital now, and it seems that the end is nowhere in sight. Your prayers for them are much appreciated. Pray for continued patience for Amin’s mother.
Doctors will meet together tomorrow to discuss the treatment of the newfound hole in Amin’s heart. Please also pray for doctors’ ongoing wisdom. They are doing great work – all the time – for all their patients.
The doctors asked me to tell the mother of Amin today how they really love this baby, and that they see the good care she is providing him.
Amin has to have more assessment in the form of a tracheoesophageal echo, which is scheduled to go ahead next week. This will give doctors more information concerning his condition; potentially, there is another hole in his heart which may require treatment. Otherwise, the doctors were very happy that he is now without a fever.
His mother is holding on steadily in the ward, having now been in Sheba hospital for one month. She is very focused on seeing Amin improving.
Yesterday’s CT scan showed that Amin does have an infection in his surgical site which then necessitates a six week period of antibiotics administered through a PIC line, which he will have placed next week.
In the last months, this course of treatment has been common to some of the other Shevet children as well, and while there is some relief for Amin’s mum, that she knows the reason for his fever, it isn’t an easy thing to hear.
But as always with Amin’s mother, she took the news with such beautiful grace. Please keep them in your prayers as they start this long process.
Amin is still having unexplained fevers. He is generally in a good condition, but he cannot be discharged until the fevers pass.
He has been having many tests to find the cause for the high temperature, but so far everything has been coming back as normal. He is having regular echos to check and see that it’s not an infection in his heart.
We hope for an answer soon, or even better, for him to be well and able to come home to Jaffa.
Amin has been moved down to the Sheba hospital pediatric intermediate care department. His mother was very happy with this sign of his progress.
Amin has been having some fever and potentially has an infection, either generally or potentially in his heart. The doctor was hopeful that this is an unlikely situation, and we will know more when results of three blood tests come in.
His mother was so pleased to know that the surgery looks good and even though he may have an infection, it doesn’t mean he would need another surgery which had been one of her biggest fears.
If you saw him today, you would hardly believe it’s only yesterday that Amin had his open heart surgery. He is already extubated and without any oxygen support.
Prior to surgery, his normal oxygen level was sometimes as low as 55%, and even at his best, he rarely reached 75%. He was tinged with blue lips and fingers, and so today I really understood his mother when she said to me “look at what a beautiful colour he is!”
He is transformed. With the monitor telling us his oxygen is in the high 90s, it is really a happy case for Amin. He is in such a good condition, that he is able to start drinking milk already. Just 10ml at a time, a tiny amount, but if it all goes well, he will be able to drink more tomorrow.
It was a difficult day for his mother and a long surgery to correct his TGA and also to treat the other defects in his heart. There were tears of sadness at saying goodbye to Amin this morning when he went into surgery and tears of happiness when he came out,
and a lot of companionship from other Kurdish parents who were in and around the hospital.
The experience of picking the new families up at the Jordan border is more involved than previous airport pick-up of Kurdish families. For me, I remember better my first impression of them as we all adjust to each other. You can’t get the measure of someone when you meet them for the first time; getting to know someone takes time.
I thought of this development today as Amin went in for his surgery. I remember meeting him and his mother and wondering what they would be like; somewhere in between picking them up from the border with Jordan and Amin going into surgery today, a great deal of empathy and love has grown. It isn’t just some child going into the operation but it is Amin, the Amin we know and love! We call him “Amin Amin” and rarely – if ever – do we say his name once in a row. He loves when his mother sings to him, and he has a very endearing smile.
He is doing well in the hours after his surgery, so please continue to pray for his recovery.
Happy boy Amin was admitted to Sheba hospital this evening. He is due to have his heart surgery tomorrow morning. The staff at the hospital welcomed and prepared him with their assessments.
His loving mother is well organised and thoughtful. For example, she made sure to set an alarm on her phone for 1.30 am, so she could feed him before he needs to start fasting at 2 am.
Please pray for him heading into surgery in the morning!
Amin went to Sheba hospital for a CT scan of his heart today. This helps the doctors to properly plan for his surgery. A CT scan is a non-invasive procedure, but because Amin is a baby, they needed to give him sedation. For his mother, this is the first time she has watched Amin have anesthesia administered. She was taken out of the room while the test was performed, but was all the time concerned that his oxygen would drop after the scan. This, combined with many ‘firsts,’ was very stressful for her.
It was, in some ways, like a practice of what his surgery will be like. It weighed heavy on her. We spoke as we waited the few minutes it took to view the scan. While I told her not be afraid and tried to reassure her, I thought of how overwhelming this must be to give her baby up, even for a short time, to the hands of others. She has been with Amin all day, everyday, since before he was born.
After a few minutes, Amin was taken out of the CT scan and was beginning to wake up from the anesthesia. His mother was there by his side, and much to both their delight, he was allowed to eat after seven hours of fasting.
Please pray for both of them as they anticipate the coming operation.
Amin had an appointment at Sheba hospital today for a Sonar test in order to make a plan for his surgery. Before we were called in, we had to wait in the waiting area for around ten minutes.
Today was my first chance to get to know little Amin and his lovely mother a bit better, as they have been in quarantine for the last two weeks. His mother shared with me that Amin has three other older siblings, two other boys and a girl. She showed me pictures of them on her phone and they all do look beautiful.
Amin is a very happy boy who loves it when you interact with him, he always smiles back. He is also very brave as he showed today during his examination. He was not afraid or crying at all. His mother had to hold his head calm during the sonar test which worked well and I could see the love she has for him in her eyes. The test was very quick. Right after we went to the ICU as Ami’s mom wanted to see the other mothers who are there with their children. It was a short but nice visit and then we left.
Please continue to pray for this happy boy and his lovely mother.
As the baby is named after his grandfather, it means that in the computer system at the hospital, his name is ‘Amin Amin.’ While the hospital staff are referring to him by this name, it has now also become what all of us here at Shevet and his own mother are calling him!
Today, our little ‘Amin Amin’ was checked by the doctor after his discharge, as his oxygen levels were quite low while he waits for surgery.
There is still not a final decision on what surgery will be done for him, nor when. His combination of heart defects means that he is not as straight forward a case as some are whom the doctors seem to refer to as “simple TGA.”
We know the timing is all in God’s hands, as we wait for the decisions and plans for his surgery.
Today Amin was discharged from Sheba medical Hospital to our community home in Jaffa. As you can see in the picture, he was happy about it and so was his mother.
Doctors took a 3D echo for Amin before his discharge. They are planning to do surgery in the near future, probably in the next few weeks. Therefore Amin also has to do a CT scan but because he has a little cold at the moment and he is already weak because of his heart defect, and because he needs anesthesia for the CT scan, they won’t proceed yet since it wouldn’t be safe for him.
Amin and his mom will have to return to the hospital after one week to see if Amin is in a condition suitable for the scan. Meanwhile, they will spend time resting and getting to know the other Kurdish families we have in our community house in Jaffa. Thank you for your prayers for Amin and his lovely mother.
Amin had his first assessment today at Sheba hospital. His mother shared that he was born at the same time that his grandfather died, and therefore has been given the name Amin. She is a really lovely lady and cried a little at the start of the assessment process.
The most striking thing which today’s assessment indicated, was Amin’s extremely low oxygen level of around 65%. The doctor decided that it was by no means appropriate to send him back to our Jaffa house, so he was hospitalized in the pediatric ICU. His mother took this outcome steadily, wanting the best for her baby.
He is being monitored in the ICU. There are a few other Kurdish ladies there so this can hopefully be a nice comfort for Amin’s mother.
Having landed in Amman yesterday, Amin and his mum and three other Kurdish mothers and babies, all traveled today with Jonathan to the border crossing with Israel, where co-workers Sebastian, Alena and I picked them up and brought them to our community home in Jaffa.
Amin is just four months old and has been diagnosed in Kurdistan with d-TGA, transposition of the great arteries.
It is good that he and his mum have arrived safely. We hope and pray that Amin will be able to receive the medical care he needs, and that his mum will be comfortable and will feel at home here with us.
She shared the moment with some other Kurdish mothers also being discharged today.
As soon as there is a place in the ICU, they plan to call in Amin and perform the TEE.
Amin has been moved down to the Sheba hospital pediatric intermediate care department. His mother was very happy with this sign of his progress.
Amin went to Sheba hospital for a CT scan of his heart today. This helps the doctors to properly plan for his surgery. A CT scan is a non-invasive procedure, but because Amin is a baby, they needed to give him sedation. For his mother, this is the first time she has watched Amin have anesthesia administered. She was taken out of the room while the test was performed, but was all the time concerned that his oxygen would drop after the scan. This, combined with many ‘firsts,’ was very stressful for her.
It was, in some ways, like a practice of what his surgery will be like. It weighed heavy on her. We spoke as we waited the few minutes it took to view the scan. While I told her not be afraid and tried to reassure her, I thought of how overwhelming this must be to give her baby up, even for a short time, to the hands of others. She has been with Amin all day, everyday, since before he was born.
Amin had an appointment at Sheba hospital today for a Sonar test in order to make a plan for his surgery. Before we were called in, we had to wait in the waiting area for around ten minutes.
Today was my first chance to get to know little Amin and his lovely mother a bit better, as they have been in quarantine for the last two weeks. His mother shared with me that Amin has three other older siblings, two other boys and a girl. She showed me pictures of them on her phone and they all do look beautiful.
Amin is a very happy boy who loves it when you interact with him, he always smiles back. He is also very brave as he showed today during his examination. He was not afraid or crying at all. His mother had to hold his head calm during the sonar test which worked well and I could see the love she has for him in her eyes. The test was very quick. Right after we went to the ICU as Ami’s mom wanted to see the other mothers who are there with their children. It was a short but nice visit and then we left.
Having landed in Amman yesterday, Amin and his mum and three other Kurdish mothers and babies, all traveled today with Jonathan to the border crossing with Israel, where co-workers Sebastian, Alena and I picked them up and brought them to our community home in Jaffa.
Amin is just four months old and has been diagnosed in Kurdistan with d-TGA, transposition of the great arteries.
It is good that he and his mum have arrived safely. We hope and pray that Amin will be able to receive the medical care he needs, and that his mum will be comfortable and will feel at home here with us.