We had a lovely party for Sulaiman and his friends, Zhiir and Amin yesterday, to say farewell, and celebrate the healing journey.
Sulaiman’s health has been an answer to so many prayers across the world, as I think many people have been captured by his beautiful eyes and smile, and then the difficult story of his hospitalization, including time on ECMO and having bleeding in his brain.
His joyful mother is very pleased to be returning home with “Alhamdulilah Sulaiman” ; she is often prefacing his name now with this ‘thanks to God.’
Please pray for her journey home, and that she will continue to see the Blessing of God.
Sulaiman’s mother has a few trademark phrases of adoration for her son, and one of the best is “zeyn uwladi,” which in Kurdish means “my good boy.”
It also functions as a besotted descriptor, a hope, a question and a prayer. Today, we happily heard from the doctor after the echo today that Sulaiman is indeed “zeyn” and can return home to Kurdistan!
His mother, almost always overwhelmingly joyful, was even more ecstatic upon hearing the news. She reflected with great thanks upon all the people who have helped and cared for Sulaiman during his hospitalisation, and explained that they will be slaughtering three sheep in celebration of Sulaiman’s healing when they return home.
Thank God for bringing Sulaiman healing, and such joy to his mother.
Sulaiman had the echo as scheduled today at Sheba hospital. Its been about a month since he was discharged from the hospital now, and his mother was hopeful that this would be his final appointment before being discharged home to Kurdistan.
The doctor said that his condition was generally good, however he wants to see him again after two weeks, as his heart function is a little low.
For Sulaiman and other children before him, there is one post-operative appointment that makes parents very anxious. Since he has been on the ECMO machine in the children’s cardiac department at Sheba hospital, Suli and his mother have been waiting to see a neurologist to make sure there isn’t a problem with his brain after his difficult recovery and time on the life-support machine. He did have a small amount of bleeding in his brain during his hospitalization, which was very scary for his mother.
Today, Suli was able to see the neurologist, who did not see any brain damage and only recommended to Suli’s mother that Suli spend ample time on his stomach to build his muscle tone. To say that his mother was relieved, is an understatement.
It isn’t always as simple and as easy an outcome for many children who are as sick as Sulaiman was, but truly, we thank God for how little Sulaiman has recovered. We thank God for how the anxious concerns, formerly carried on this mother’s shoulders, finally found release in the words of the doctor who gave a good assessment. Thank you for your prayers for this mother and son and for that son’s brighter future.
Sulaiman has been recovering nicely at home since he was discharged from Sheba hospital. Today was his first echo, and he was dressed in a sweet summer shirt.
The doctor was pleased with how well his heart has recovered from his surgeries and ECMO, and appears to be working well. He needs to come back again in two weeks, and if everything is continuing as it was today, it’s likely that he could be discharged home to his family in Kurdistan.
Sulaiman was discharged home today. His mother tells us it’s been 20 days in the hospital, which seems both incredibly short, and also deeply filled with action and emotion. Sulaiman has improved vastly and it is wonderful to see him in the arms of his mother, wearing a beautiful colour. As he is a true extrovert, he was trying his best to be interactive and responsive with his beautiful eyes, although he is often crying a little.
Please pray that he will settle at home, and continue to recover nicely before his echo next week. He also needs to have a check up with the neurologist in a fortnight.
Yesterday evening, we received a video call from Sulaiman’s mother in Sheba hospital, sharing with us the news that Suli had been extubated! It was wonderful to hear and to see him and to see her shining beautiful happy smile.
Today, I found Sulaiman in a new hospital room today, moved to the step-down care section of the ICU. What a joy! His mother of course was still beaming and happy, although a little unsure about his noisy breathing.
She kissed his hand many times, and we happily repeated her loving phrases together to him, “my heart,” “my life,” enjoying his healing and recovery, as his big eyes tracked over toward us.
Thank you for praying for sweet Sulaiman, and thank you God for this wonderful healing.
I visited our little Sulaiman and his lovely mother today at Sheba hospital. I was very happy with what I saw when I looked into their room.
Sulaiman’s mother stood on the side of his bed, looking at her beloved son, eyes shining with love, praying for her beloved son and he was looking at her, moving his head a bit. I was happy to see that the little man was awake today because they only yesterday closed his chest.
In the picture, you can’t really tell that he opened his eyes, but he did. It is a good sign. When his mother saw me, she came to me with a bright smile on her face, pointing at Suli and then up to God saying, “El Ei Karim.”
I agree with Suli’s mother, that we can rely on God no matter what is happening. God is good all the time, because he always knows what is best for us, and for our lovely children.
Doctors today said there is a possibility Sulaiman might be extubated tomorrow, or in the next days. But that is in God’s hands. Please continue to keep Sulaiman and his lovely mother in your prayers.
Sulaiman’s mother was bursting with good news when she heard doctors were considering closing Sulaiman’s chest today.
And surely, this afternoon, he was wheeled down to the OR for yet another time. Thankfully, everything went ahead as hoped, and within an hour or so, we recognized the bleeping of the machines, and he emerged out of surgery.
Sulaiman’s mother was very happy to hear he was in a good condition, and happily shared the news with her husband.
As the surgeon brought Sulaiman out of the OR, his mother asked the question of whether or not her son was alright after being disconnected from the ECMO. He has been connected to it for about one week, and now a new phase begins of seeing how his heart works without the machine doing its job.
In a hopeful bit of news earlier, Sulaiman’s mother was told that the bleeding in his brain from yesterday was not very much, for which she was relieved to hear. She watched from the window as the nurses set Suli up in his room.
There have been now many Kurdish children who have been on the ECMO machine. At the point in which they are taken off of the machine, their condition either worsens or improves. The other mothers in Sheba hospital are sharing expressions of encouragement such as, God willing, Sulaiman is like a child who lives and not one who dies.
It is hard to describe the stress Suli’s mum is under; it’s the same overwhelming pressure that we’ve seen too many times now in children who could become healthier or who begin to deteriorate. So please pray for this beautiful boy. His mother misses his joyful presence so, so much.
When looking at pictures of him, her eyes are filled with love as she repeats “hiyati,” or ‘my life,’ when seeing his face.
This morning Sheba’s hospital staff said he is doing a little bit better. Later this day, he had a stroke and was bleeding a little bit from his brain, but this stopped.
Sulsiman’s mother was very upset and worried when she heard of his condition and was crying a lot. She is staying in our community home in Jaffa for the night to take a bit of rest.
Doctors are planning to do a trial tomorrow, to see if he can be taken off the ECMO. In this whole situation, we can trust in the Lord as he knows what is best for the precious life of Suleiman. May His peace be with Sulaiman and his mother.
Sulaiman was taken this morning for a catheterization, to check on his coronary arteries. This was the most recent surgery for him. His mother was so worried, but still it was a pleasure to sit with her during the catheterization time. Some of the Kurdish mothers tried to encourage her during this time also, with the success stories of their own children.
After around two hours, we heard the bleeping of the machines, as Sulaiman emerged from the catheterization room, and the doctor came to announce that his arteries looked good. Um Sulaiman kissed the doctor’s hands in gratitude for the news she had shared.
Still, little Suli has a way to go with his recovery, and remains on ECMO as his heart function is weak. Please keep praying for him and his mother.
Sulaiman’s mother returned to the hospital this morning after a night of rest in Jaffa, and on the way expressed her worries for her baby, and how she is finding it hard to bear these days, wondering and hoping for Sulaiman’s health. I was pleased to hear from her that she thinks very highly of two specific nurses and one specific doctor, all of whom speak Arabic and it sounds as though they have been taking care of her and Sulaiman with kindness.
The main Cardiologist today told us that she saw in Sulaiman’s echo that he is slightly better today, in terms of his heart function. Still he remains on ECMO, but it could be possible tomorrow to try again to wean him off of the ECMO and see how the heart copes. Still, there is a lot to be considered about his condition and anatomy, and thankfully he is in excellent hands with the medical team here.
His mother is hoping that tomorrow she might be able to go and pray for him at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. We will know more in the morning after the doctors meet together, whether it’s a suitable day for her to be leaving him. She is very devoted to him, and it is hard to see her unable to really rest, missing holding him, and worrying for his health.
Sulaiman has remained in a stable condition at Sheba hospital over the weekend, so we hear. He remains on the ECMO, and with a lot of medications. The recent echo showed that his heart function, specifically the left ventricle, is not much improved, as much as the doctors had hoped for by now.
His mother understands that his heart is quite weak, and she is understandably worried, especially after witnessing the death of another Kurdish baby at the end of last week, who suffered with the same heart defect as Sulaiman.
For me, it was chilling as we re-entered the doors of the ICU, and walked past the room where together we had previously watched that mother grieving the last minutes of her baby’s life. We stood outside the room of Sulaiman, and for Sulaiman’s mother, feelings must have been magnified even more so than mine.
Sulaiman has been having head ultrasounds each day, as he is receiving blood-thinning medication. So far each day, these tests have come back without any anomalies.
Despite the lack of real improvement in Sulaiman’s echo, the medical team attempted to see whether it could be that Sulaiman’s heart might be ready to function without the ECMO today. They found that he is not yet ready, so he remains in his room, with his chest open, machines bleeping around him, continuing on ECMO.
His mother asked to return home to our community home in Jaffa and sleep there tonight which the doctor was in agreement with. Hopefully this ‘home away from home’ gives her a little respite. As she left the ICU this evening, her parting words to the nurse were to please, “look after my boy.”
She is extremely worried, and we are hoping and praying for the best for her precious son.
It was a big day for small Sulaiman yesterday as he had his surgery to switch the great arteries. The whole procedure took around six hours and it was successful.
Before he went into his surgery, Suli’s mother was told that there is a possibility they will have to put him on the ECMO machine as it is a big surgery for this small boy. Indeed, Suli was connected to the ECMO machine because his heart needs to have some rest from the surgery. I’m really thankful that God has given such machines that are able to help little ones.
Doctors brought him up to the ICU after the surgery and said even though Suli is connected to the ECMO machine, they are quite pleased with his condition after the surgery, and that his numbers look good. This was good news but recovery is a fragile process for all these children and Suli has to go through that now.
His mother is coping well with all of the circumstances and it was a nice waiting-time we spent together even though that there are the language barriers. The waiting time is always a good opportunity to get to know our Kurdish and Gazan mothers and fathers.
Today Suli underwent another surgery where they widened his coronary arteries as they have been quite narrow. Also this surgery went well for him. Praise God. His mother is a lovely woman and she was urged to see him both times after his surgeries.
Presently she cannot sleep together with him in a room because his chest is open, and it would be a high risk to get for Suli to become infected with something. His mother is allowed to enter his room briefly however from time to time, to see her beloved son.
Please keep this lovely mother and cute Suli’s recovery in your prayers.
“Suli Suli”, as we affectionately call this little man, was called into hospital today. He is scheduled to have the first of his two surgeries tomorrow morning, provided the hospital staff are satisfied he is in a healthy enough condition. He has been with a bit of a cough recently.
Sulaiman’s mother is handling her worries very well; entering the new hospital environment, and thinking of the big day ahead tomorrow. As she speaks Arabic, it helps her to get used to the hospital, and to hopefully feel a little more independent.
We brought Sulaiman to Sheba hospital today which was supposed to be his admission for surgery. However he has a cough and congestion in his chest, so everyone thought it was best to postpone the operation until he is better.
Please pray for this lovely, charming boy. He will have the same two stage surgery as many of the other babies and the recovery has been difficult for some who are also four months like Sulaiman, so he needs to be one hundred percent as healthy as possible in preparation.
Sulaiman attended his CT scan this morning at Sheba hospital. He and his mother seem to attract attention wherever they go, and today within the first five minutes of arriving at the CT scan area, an Israeli lady greeted them, and asked where they were from.
She spoke in Arabic, saying she thought it necessary to know Arabic as someone living in Israel. She was so touched to hear that Sulaiman and his mother had come all the way from Iraq for a life-saving heart surgery in Israel, which they are unable to access in their own country. Sulaiman’s new friend teared up as she expressed how happy she was to hear that her country is extending its privileges of world class health care, to children like Sulaiman.
Sulaiman was extremely happy to be meeting new people of course. He has such an adorable smile and makes very cute noises.
Sulaiman was upset by the process of having the cannula placed for the CT scan, and he was not able to have any milk to help him calm down, as he was fasting. Soon he slept with the sedation, and the CT scan was over with very quickly.
After some time spent waking from the sedation, during which time Sulaiman acquired another admirer, he had an echo. His mother felt unwell at this stage, and so one of the kind echo technicians held Sulaiman’s hands and gave him milk during the echo so that his mother didn’t need to stand up for the duration of the echo.
Sulaiman later had a corona test, and ultrasound, all of which were to prepare him for his surgery, which is potentially going to be on Thursday this week. As Sulaiman’s mother says, “Allah Kareem.”
Sulaiman, we found out today, is definitely an extrovert. He loved all the attention he got from every person who came to see him at the hospital. He is smiley and was babbling with beautiful sweet noises. He is a treasure for his mother, who today was so tense with worry.
He had a full battery of assessments today: echo, ECG, weight, blood test, chest x-ray. Each of these opportunities to meet somebody new, which he loved, was sadly ruined for him by the unpleasantness of the procedure which he had to endure each time. Sweet Sulaiman found comfort in the arms of his mother.
The doctor confirmed his diagnosis of d-TGA, and that he does need to have a big surgery. However, Sulaiman’s case will be discussed with the medical team before there can be a plan about the specifics; the big question for many of the parents is, can this be corrected in one surgery or does it require two? As Sulaiman’s mother said throughout the day, “Allah Kareem,” acknowledging that God is in control and gives well to us.
Please pray for this sweet family as they wait for the surgery.
When I heard the news that Sulaiman and his mother are crossing the border from Jordan to Israel today, I was very happy to hear this. For a couple of days now, they’ve been waiting in Jordan on their visas to enter Israel. I was on standby to collect them knowing they could receive permission at any time, but they continued not to.
Especially for Sulaiman, it was quite urgent to come because he’s not in a very good condition. But we want to trust God and his timing, and so we are glad that He now made the way for them.
When I arrived at the Jordan border crossing, Sulaiman and his mother were already on the Israeli side of the border, waiting for me with another family. They simply got in the Shevet van, and we drove to our community house in Jaffa.
They will have to stay in quarantine for the next two weeks, but the assessments in the hospital can already start this comning week. Thank God that they are now with us. Please pray for Sulaiman’s condition and the coming treatment.
Sulaiman’s health has been an answer to so many prayers across the world, as I think many people have been captured by his beautiful eyes and smile, and then the difficult story of his hospitalization, including time on ECMO and having bleeding in his brain.
