There have been recent changes at Sheba Medical Center due to the war with Iran, one of which is that the catheterization for Sami was not in the usual cath labs, but at the adult heart hospital across campus. I needed to find Sami’s family early this morning, but Sami’s father was nice enough to help me. I sat with him and his wife while we waited during the catheterization. The procedure was moved to this other area because it is a large area in a protected facility.
During Sami’s catheterization an alarm for Iranian missiles sounded on our phones. I was sitting and talking to Sami’s father outside when the siren sounded. We went into the large shelter area with many other people. After the incident passed, we left the protected area and returned to the seating area. Shortly afterwards, the doctor came out of the lab and informed Sami’s parents about his procedure.
The doctors used a balloon to expand a heart valve opening, however the valve was rather stubborn. They then used a larger balloon, but it is not yet understood how much of a success this catheterization was at this stage. On the bright side, we were very happy to see little six-month-old Sami come out and wake up looking healthy and aware. He opened his large brown eyes and stared at me.
I was very pleased that he was doing so well. Sami was transported in the back of the ambulance. His parents jumped into the back and I was invited to ride along in the front of the ambulance with the “nurse” as the ambulance driver wrongly labeled Sami’s doctor (she and I assumed because she is a woman). The ambulance delivered us into the underground parking garage that was converted into the ICU to keep people safe during these times of war.
We have had children in this area before during the war in Gaza, after October 7th, because of all the rocket fire. Please pray for Sami to recover quickly, and for the doctors to understand the best step in his treatment.