Rafiq’s appointment at Sheba Medical Center today was easy going and quick. When I found him and his mother sitting in the echo clinic, he was quietly sitting and watching videos on his ipad while awaiting his turn. This was a calm Rafiq in comparison to recent visits where he was practically bouncing off every wall. He sat quiet and still for quite some time, and only made a bit of a fuss when the doctor called him into the EKG room where he got a case of the wiggles and giggles. Thankfully, his mother calmed him down and all the testing was soon done.
Immediately after that, we were called into the office of his cardiologist. Overall, the report was wonderful, praise the Lord! The medicine dosages that had been changed during his last visit seem to be working, as the doctor happily said, “It seems we are doing something right for Rafiq!” His heart is slowly looking better, and besides some minor tests to assure this upward trend continues, there are no operations on the horizon for Rafiq. The doctor requested he returns in three months with a halter test and blood draw completed so they can make sure his medications are not affecting anything else in his body negatively.
With this happy news in hand, he and his mother departed from the hospital to head back to their home. Please continue to pray for Rafiq’s health to steadily improve each day. We praise the Lord for all the work He has already done in this young boy’s life.
We saw no rest from rambunctious Rafiq today at Sheba Medical Center when he came for an echo and a lung appointment. This little guy was full of life and energy as he ran through the halls, climbed on chairs, and made the doctors office an obstacle course. While his visit was a little chaotic (to say the least), the doctor was thrilled to see that he was able to bounce around like any other little boy. Though his lungs still need some help, such as inhalers and oxygen at night, it is good to see him full of so much energy and the ability to run around.
As of right now Rafiq is, quite clearly, doing well. He will continue to need routine checkups as time goes by to assure it stays this way. We look forward to seeing him regularly in the coming months, and ask that you join us in prayer for total healing for this young boy!
We to bring medications to Rafiq and his family near Jenin today. Rafiq is a very smiley little kid. We were sitting on their balcony around a table, and several times Rafiq walked around the table, one by one shaking our hands with a smile blazing on his face.
By the looks of it, you would not be able to tell how critical his condition is. Rafiq has very severe pulmonary hypertension. His cardiologist in Israel asked us to supply him with a last-resort medication which may help, and it’s costing our community nearly $8000 a month.
Other than a possible interventional catheterization, it sounds like not much more can be done for Rafiq. But we pray and trust God no matter what. Two years ago when Rafiq’s mother told his doctor in the West Bank that they would try to reach Israel, the reply was not to bother, he only had two months to live. His mother said that after coming to Sheba Medical Center it was as though Rafiq had “died and came back to life.” We praise God for this work! But we still pray for the little boy that his days will be full of joy, and that he will be miraculously healed by God, either now or in the resurrection.
Rafiq had quite a day at Sheba Medical Center. He not only had a heart examination, but also a stress test, and a lung function test. Rafiq was also able to acquire a special medicine that was prescribed for him, but the pharmacy has been unable to provide at times.
We are thankful that our little friend Rafiq is getting good care from Sheba. Pray for Rafiq to improve his heart and lung function, that he would be strengthened, and the doctors would know the best treatment for him.
At Sheba Hospital today, I was surprised to find my friend Rafiq looking much healthier than I remember seeing him months ago. It was nice to see him with enough stamina to tackle the challenging climb up on the train in the waiting area. Months ago, I recall him struggling to just climb the stairs.
Rafiq is a five-year-old boy from Jenin, today he came with his mom. Rafiq had an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram, and a blood test. Understandably, he was really upset to find out he needed to have his blood taken and threw a bit of a tantrum. Unfortunately, his mom, coworker Berith, and I needed to hold him still for his blood draw.
Afterwards, he was very calm and we walked to the piano in the lobby downstairs. Rafiq briefly showed us his musical skills on the piano. Wendy, a visiting guest volunteer, also jumped on the piano and played a beautiful piece for us. It was pretty great!
Please pray for Rafiq to continue to improve and that his doctors would know the next step for his recovery.
I met five-year-old Rafiq and mom today. Rafiq and his family are from Jenin, the West Bank. They came to Sheba Medical Center because Rafiq had many appointments today.
The first appointment was for his lungs. Rafiq sat with his mom in the lung doctor’s office while the doctor was staring at the computer muttering in Hebrew, and he was bored to tears. Rafiq decided to ride on the black leather recliner chair like he was riding a black stallion.
Later Rafiq kept himself entertained watching really bizarre children’s YouTube videos. Next up was an ECHO and an ECG for this curious little guy and he did such a good job cooperating with his mom and the technicians through the slightly uncomfortable process.
Finally, Rafiq met with the cardiologist who prescribed some new medication. We hope to see Rafiq again soon, he is a fun little guy.
We found five-year-old Rafiq of Jenin, with complex congenital heart defects, playing on the train in the children’s hospital in Sheba Medical Center. His father happily greeted us and was kind and ready to communicate with us about his son’s health. Rafiq came for an Echocardiogram today. He has been on a new medication this past month to attempt to reduce his pulmonary pressure. We look forward to hearing what the doctor found, and what the plans will be for Rafiq’s future treatment.
Today at Sheba Medical Center we met with cute four-year-old Rafiq. When I first saw him he was engrossed in watching a movie and before I knew it, his doctor called him back for an ECHO, and then to discuss said echo.
Basically Rafiq has a lot of pulmonary pressure and they do not know where it is coming from, so they want to put him on a new medication to see if it will help and then hopefully see him again in a month or so.
Rafiq also has a very productive cough which is not great for a heart child, so if it does not clear up, he will need to go on antibiotics. Please keep praying for him that the pulmonary pressure, and cough, will be easily explained and clear up respectively.
Today Rafiq, a five year old boy from the West Bank, came into Sheba Medical Center with his parents for an echo.
When I saw him, post appointment, he looked to be a shy but playful five year old.
When I talked to the doctor though, she said that despite his looks, he is really quite sick. The next steps are another echo, a pulmonary test, and a potential catheterization.
Please pray that he will remain stable, and healthy!
Rafiq’s father has called us repeatedly pleading for help to get his son to Israel for his life-saving heart surgery. He fears the results of attempting the surgery in the West Bank. Sheba Medical Center has now agreed to see Rafiq on April 30.
Rafiq’s appointment at Sheba Medical Center today was easy going and quick. When I found him and his mother sitting in the echo clinic, he was quietly sitting and watching videos on his ipad while awaiting his turn. This was a calm Rafiq in comparison to recent visits where he was practically bouncing off every wall. He sat quiet and still for quite some time, and only made a bit of a fuss when the doctor called him into the EKG room where he got a case of the wiggles and giggles. Thankfully, his mother calmed him down and all the testing was soon done.
Immediately after that, we were called into the office of his cardiologist. Overall, the report was wonderful, praise the Lord! The medicine dosages that had been changed during his last visit seem to be working, as the doctor happily said, “It seems we are doing something right for Rafiq!” His heart is slowly looking better, and besides some minor tests to assure this upward trend continues, there are no operations on the horizon for Rafiq. The doctor requested he returns in three months with a halter test and blood draw completed so they can make sure his medications are not affecting anything else in his body negatively.
With this happy news in hand, he and his mother departed from the hospital to head back to their home. Please continue to pray for Rafiq’s health to steadily improve each day. We praise the Lord for all the work He has already done in this young boy’s life.
