16 year old Amir arrived from Ramallah with his Dad this morning. It was their first time meeting the Shevet Achim team.
Amir had heart surgery at Sheba as a young child and has since had cardiac follow-up in Ramallah. However, 18 months ago, after a catheterization and an unsuccessful attempt to place a stent in Ramallah, he was referred back to Sheba for further treatment.
Amir is a big, gentle boy, half a head taller than his dad. He was quiet at first, with Dad doing most of the talking, but after a morning of waiting in between his echo, ECG, vital signs and consultation with the doctor, he gradually opened up. We enjoyed some conversation through Google Translate, which brought a few smiles along the way. It was a really enjoyable morning with these two.
Once all the cardiac tests were complete, the doctor explained the findings to Amir and Dad. Amir was born without a left pulmonary artery, meaning his right pulmonary artery and the right side of his heart have been doing all the work. Over time, this has caused the artery to become narrowed and the right side of his heart to become enlarged and thickened.
The good news is that Amir does not need surgery. The doctor believes a catheterization should be enough to widen the artery and improve blood flow. They will place a new stent in his right pulmonary artery to replace the old one, which he received as a child and has now outgrown.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord that this can be fixed with a cath rather than surgery.
Amir will receive an invitation for his catheterization sometime within the next two months. In the meantime, God bless Amir and keep him healthy and well.