Life is filled with challenges and how we face these bumps along the way tells us more about ourselves than we might care to admit. Well my day today with Hassan was full of surprises. Hassan’s case is rather complex and full of twists and turns. We spent the morning doing an Echo and an ECG and the afternoon at Gastro and Neurology appointments.
This beautiful young boy took the whole day in his stride and faced his challenges head on. He has a very loving and supportive father who holds his hand and cheers him on when things are tough. They faced their challenges beautifully together even though some of the news is not what we had hoped to hear.
Hassan needs to get a CT of his brain and a Gastroscopy to check on blood vessels in his throat. Please pray for these upcoming appointments that they would go well. It was great to watch Hassan and his father facing lifes many questions with courage and determination.
Wednesday morning we arrived at Erez Crossing to pick up Hassan and his father for a follow up echo at Sheba Medical Center.
At the Pediatric Cardiology waiting area, many of the mothers of our ICU kids were happy to see the boy again. He did very well during the echo because his mother talked to him on FaceTime which helped a lot with his nervousness. Also his father helped a lot with some nursery rhymes.
It was very easy to communicate with them because Hassan’s dad’s English is very good. While we were talking to his doctor, Hassan discovered her stethoscope and was very intrigued – maybe there is a future in medicine for him. Hassan has to come back in two months for a Neurology, Gastro and Cardiology follow up.
We pray for Hassan and his family, that Hassan will stay such a curious and kind boy until we meet him again.
Hassan was discharged from Sheba Hospital at last! His mother successfully controlled the amount of fluids that Hassan was taking and his lungs were better!
Today was all about packing, smiling and asking when we are leaving the hospital. His mother said, “No more, sabr,” which means ‘patience.’
After singing a lot of goodbye songs with his mum, another mum from Gaza, coworker Petra and I, Hassan could finally say, “Bye Bye Sheba, yallah Gaza!”
Hassan will be with us again in one month to observe his recovery. Please keep praying for him and his full recovery and also let us thank God for what He has done with Hassan!
After going to the emergency room last week, Hassan was admitted again to the secondary Pediatric ICU of Sheba Hospital. Since then, we have seen a lot of improvement in him!
Today he did not have a fever and the nurse said that his breathing is very good. He still has some water in his lungs and that is the reason why he is still at the hospital.
For Hassan to be discharged in the next days, his mother has to be very careful with the amount of fluid he drinks. It is amazing to see Hassan being very smiley these past few days, and able to play with us!
After less than 48 hours in our community house in Ashdod, Hassan’s breathing sounded very bad, his oxygen saturation wasn’t very good and his mother was very worried about him, so we decided to bring him to Sheba Medical Center’s Pediatric ER.
There the doctors were very thankful that we brought him after they found out that his breathing problems were coming from fluid in his lungs. This is a situation that can very easily develop after the Fontan surgery that Hassan had just exactly one month ago. The doctors directly started to give him some medications to reduce the fluid and did a lot of blood tests to find out if he has some kind of infection that causes this problem.
They decided that Hassan needed to be admitted in the ICU and after five hours of waiting, he was finally moved upstairs. There they will watch him over the next days, give him inhalation, and make sure that his breathing gets better.
Please pray for our Hassan and his mother who was so happy that Hassan finally got discharged but is now back in the ICU! Please pray that Hassan will recover soon!
Four-year-old Hassan has been discharged to our community home in Ashdod after a one-month stay in Sheba Hospital.
While Hassan and his mother were waiting in the lobby to leave the hospital, several of the other mothers came down to see them off. It was wonderful to see how they support each other in a situation where some would be tempted to be jealous that they are not also being discharged.
Somaia’s mother took Hassan to the music room downstairs and played the drums with him.
Both Hassan and his mother arrived safely in Ashdod last night, and are on their way to Jerusalem for a little touring tomorrow. What a blessing that this little boy is healthy enough to go on this adventure!
Hassan’s doctor at Sheba Medical told me today that they will have a meeting with the gastroenterologists and will discuss his case. He apparently has some problems with eating, but his doctor thinks that it is probably best for him to go home for now, as he will improve if he is in a familiar place and out of the hospital.
Probably we will learn tomorrow about their decision and whether Hassan will go home this week or if he still needs some tests. Hassan is already for some days moved back to the secondary ICU and it is a usual picture for us to find him sitting in his stroller, walking through the hospital with his lovely mother.
Let us pray for wisdom for the doctors, that they will make the right decision together!
Yesterday, Hassan was moved to the secondary Pediatric ICU at Sheba Hospital because he was improving enough. But sadly, Hassan developed again a fever, he is still congested and has a lot of fluid in his body. The doctors decided to move him back to the ICU so that they can keep a better eye on him. For now, they are just giving him time to improve and to fully recover from his surgery.
Hassan had a very big surgery and so it is no surprise that it will take some time until he is better. When I was visiting him, he grabbed my hand a few times, but in general, I could see that he is having pain and is suffering.
Lord I pray that you take his pain away and that you help him to recover. Give him strength and comfort him!
Hassan is doing good after his Cath yesterday and the doctors could successfully extubate him already. They still need to discuss his case and make a plan for his next steps.
When I was visiting he was sitting in his bed surrounded by a lot of chips and some toys but he didn’t seem to be very happy.
Let us pray for wisdom for the doctors what to do best as a next step and that Hassan will feel better soon!
Hassan had a catheterization at Sheba Hospital today which went well and according to their plans.
Hassan needs some time to see improvement with his new cath. The doctors are planning to extubate him tomorrow. They hope also to have a meeting to discuss the next steps for Hassan’s treatment.
Please continue to pray for Hassan, he still has a lot of complex health issues.
Today in Sheba Hospital, Hassan is running a little fever, but other than that, he is still stable. He is eating and drinking, but his doctor said that he will need a lot of time until he recovers. They also think that probably he will need another catheterization sooner or later.
Yesterday Hassan had a brain CT but the doctors found nothing new. He had some bleeding in his brain after his surgery, but for now, they just have to wait to see how he is improving.
Thank you for praying that Hassan will recover soon!
Hassan is recovering from his setback earlier this week. He was extubated last night in Sheba Hospital, and the bleeding in his brain has stopped.
Tomorrow he will have a brain CT scan to monitor the brain bleed. Though he is not doing as well as we hoped, he is slowly on the mend after his difficult surgery.
Hassan had a significant relapse at the end of the week, going back on the ventilator when his oxygen dropped sharply, accompanied by signs of bleeding of the brain. We joined our prayers to those of his frightened parents.
Today, thank God, his doctors told us there has been significant improvement. The brain bleeding has stopped, and they are hoping they can remove Hassan from the ventilator tomorrow.
Doctors knew this surgery would likely have a rough recovery period in the ICU, but judged there was no other way forward than to bite the bullet and get it done. We continue to support them and the family with our prayers.
Hassan continues to be stable after his Fontan surgery at Sheba Medical Center on Tuesday. This is an answer to prayer because this surgery can have many complications.
Hassan’s mother remains positive and calm, even as Hassan becomes more conscious and consequently restless. Please pray for Hassan’s continued recovery!
When I visited Hassan at Sheba Hospital today, I had the greatest surprise when I saw he was extubated. This is great progress for him, although he still needs a small amount of oxygen support.
After a complex surgery yesterday, Hassan’s doctor was so relieved that the medication they have Hassan on is helping him to be more stable than before.
They continue to keep an eye on Hassan because the next days are critical for him, especially to see if there is any improvement resulting from the surgery.
Our prayer is for God to continue to help Hassan to quickly and completely recover.
Hassan was admitted to Sheba Hospital yesterday to prep for his latest surgery. His surgery began early this morning. When I arrived at the hospital, the surgery was already underway, so I was able to sit with Hassan’s mother. Hassan’s surgery went later than expected, and there was little communication between the surgery team and the ICU doctors. While I was getting nervous and periodically pestering the doctors in the ICU for information they did not have, Hassan’s mom was very calm. I was very impressed with her demeanor all day. She was able to talk and laugh with the other mothers and grandmothers from Gaza, and she intentionally took time for prayer. When we talked about Hassan, she always began and ended with “Inshallah” meaning “God’s will.”
Eventually, Hassan’s surgeon came to tell us that Hassan is not very stable after the surgery, and that they would know more about how Hassan handled the surgery in a few hours. Unfortunately, I was not allowed into his room after his surgery, so I don’t have a picture update as yet. When I left the hospital, Hassan was still unstable. Please pray for healing for Hassan and continued peace for Hassan’s mother.
Today we picked up Hassan and his mom from Gaza this morning. After his last cath, he needs to come back to Sheba Hospital for another procedure.
For the admission, the doctors ordered an electrocardiogram for Hassan, to have his height and weight measured, to take a routine Covid test and in the afternoon, to have an X-ray.
Hassan found old friends in the Sheba Hospital. He went to say hi to all the people who were sitting and waiting too, he was curiously milling about all the different families there.
Hassan’s mom was so confident to leave him on his own in the waiting area, because no matter if the person next to us was Arabic or Jewish or neither, all of them treated Hassan with so much love, patience and generosity, all shared their children’s food and even money with him.
The waiting was longer today, so coworker Joanne had the opportunity to share with the people around us a little bit more about Shevet Achim. Those who were listening seemed to be very grateful for God’s work through us.
Two weeks after his CT-Scan, we picked up Hassan and his father from the Gaza border, for a (final) echo at Sheba Hospital. Hassan was rather calm today, sleeping most of the time,
and also enduring the echo with almost no tears.
During his routine-ECG, however, Hassan was active – laughing and even clowning around a bit. Accompanying a child who is clowning around, even while undergoing a medical test, is something that doesn’t happen all the time and definitely a very positive experience for the doctors, the nurses, the parents and, of course, for us.
The cardiologist was content with Hassan’s CT and Echo results. However, she didn’t want to take the final decision, whether Hassan is ready for his last surgery, by herself. In the coming days, the doctors’ committee will therefore decide together whether Hassan will have his final surgery in two month or another follow-up echo.
This morning Hassan went to Sheba Hospital for a CT-scan. He needs the scan because the doctors want to see if he is ready for his next and last big surgery.
Hassan is always curious about the world around him, so he likes to take off to see what is there to see. He did well during the waiting time and the CT also went well. Afterwards he was happy to eat and drink,
– and to go back to Gaza.
We ask for your prayer for wisdom for the doctors, that they make the right decision concerning Hassan’s readiness for his last big surgery.
Today Coworker Joanne and I picked up Hassan and his father at the Erez crossing point. Together we drove back to Ashdod, where they now are staying until his CT-Scan tomorrow morning.
During the drive, it was funny to see how Hassan is imitating his father and in general he is a cute and active boy.
So let’s pray for a good CT-scan tomorrow and a good time together here in our house.
Today, coworker Doro and I went to Sheba Medical Center, because Hassan is discharged to Gaza!
Yesterday Hassan had a successful diagnostic catherization and in one month he will come back for a cardiac appointment. He may also have his next surgery at that time.
We can pray for Hassan that he will remain stable until his cardiac appointment and that he can enjoy the time with his family.
Today, coworker Doro and I drove to Erez border crossing to pick up Hassan and his father and bring them to Sheba Medical Center. Hassan was admitted for a diagnostic and possibly interventional catheterization tomorrow.
He was really whining today, but as soon as he got something in his fingers (like a silicon clove) he was satisfied and happy again which was really funny to watch.
Please pray for him and his father as they walk through tomorrow.
Hassan’s cath was scheduled at Sheba Medical for today, but because of many urgent children in the ICU needing catheterizations, Hassan’s cath was postponed.
The delay is not nice, but luckily the cath can be rescheduled just one month later. Hassan’s father already talked with the doctor, who felt very sorry for the delay.
Regardless, Hassan and his father were in happy dispositions and traveled safely back to Gaza via the Erez border crossing.
Please pray for a good cath in one month’s time for little patient Hassan.
Today my coworker Willem and I went to the Erez border crossing of Gaza to pick up Hassan and his father to bring them to Sheba Hospital for Hassan’s scheduled appointment.
Hassan will have a catheterization tomorrow. Today the doctor did an ECG and an x-ray. Hassan’s oxygen level is quite low and the doctors hope that they can do something against that in the cath tomorrow.
So Hassan was admitted today and during the waiting time I played a little bit with him and got to know him better. He is a really funny and happy young boy.
Hassan came from Gaza today for a follow-up visit at Sheba Hospital with his father.
The follow-up showed that he needs an interventional catheterization and probably also a surgery later on. Both would happen to complete the Fontan procedure.
The nurse was very nice and a big fan of cute Hassan. After some waiting time, we talked to the doctor and had fun with Hassan’s father’s as always.
The Cath is scheduled one month from now. I‘m sure that this is the best for little Hassan and I‘m happy for the opportunity to be treated in Israel with excellent doctors. Thank God.
Today, co-worker Bria and I picked up Hassan with his father at the border of Gaza for a check-up at Sheba hospital. We had some nice time to talk in the car, because Hassan’s father speaks English.
Hassan underwent an echocardiogram and an ECG. The results were good, so with a new supply of medications, we brought him back to Gaza.
Even though a day in the hospital means waiting a lot, Hassan did a good job. He was happy the whole day. He really likes to touch everything that he sees, so in a ‘new’ environment he had a lot to do.
Please pray for Hassan that his health will continue to be stable. And pray for a blessing for the family.
Today Hassan was discharged from Sheba Medical Center. I was able to drive both him and his uncle to Gaza shortly after the discharge. Co-worker Amar and Hassan’s dad have become good friends, so Amar came along to visit them also. We met Hassan’s dad at his room and surprised him with Amar’s visit. It was nice to see them reunited..
The drive to the Gaza border was very nice because Hassan’s father can speak English. We talked about everything like his work, Gaza and family. The atmosphere was very good. He mentioned Amar a few times and talked about the valuable friendship.
Hassan’s father loves his son very much. It was special to see how he cares for Hassan, plays and laughs with him. He said he is very tired, although it didn’t seem like that and he was looking forward to finally being at home to get rest from his sleepless hospital nights.
We will see them again for a Pulmonologist and cardiology appointment in a month. Please pray for Hassan.
In the morning, co-worker Sabrina and I drove to Sheba hospital for Hassan’s catheterization day. Hassan’s dad was there waiting and we fond out Hassan was already inside the cath lab.
Hassan has had treatment with Shevet Achim in the past, but it was the first time I have seen his dad. As soon as I saw him, I recognized the similarity. We sat by the children’s train on the 4th floor and talked. Hassan dad’s is very nice and likes to speak about languages.
Later, Hassan came out of the catheterization. The attending doctor told us that in the past, Hassan’s lungs artery was dilated for thrombosis, but today it remained open without thrombosis. He also told us that the stent inserted in the past has become small because Hassan is growing. The doctor expanded it with a six millimeter stent, it was a five millimeter stent before. They also made another balloon dilation on the other side. Hassan’s blood pressure is appropriate for a Fontan procedure in the future. In half a year, doctors hope to do a diagnostic cath to check for the possibility of proceeding with the Fontan procedure.
In the hospital room, Hassan’s dad was worried about the cath bandage since Hassan likes to move a lot, so he stayed by his son’s side faithfully. Hassan was trying to take off his oxygen goggles too.
Please pray that Hassan will get better and healthy and that he will be ready go back to Gaza to be reunited with his mother and his three siblings soon.
Hassan is back this month for his diagnostic catheterization! He came to Sheba hospital with his father, who is here for the first time with his son.
Hassan’s dad speaks English very well, and was adjusting to the novelty of being in this new setting with Hassan. It was clear that they were very close; Hassan always wanted to be with him throughout the day.
His dad did a great job taking care of Hassan through exams, and the waiting for the hospital room to be made ready. As always, please pray for Hassan and for the doctors, and for Hassan’s cath tomorrow.
These last two days, Hassan and his mother stayed with us in our community home in Jaffa. We really enjoyed spending some time with them. Hassan has grown a lot and is a very active and happy boy.
Today he had to go to Sheba hospital to see the doctor and to clarify whether or not he is ready for his catheterization. He did enjoy seeing the doctor and to be in the hospital for some time.
Due to his cough, Hassan must wait one or two more weeks before he is having his catheterization. Therefore I took them to the Erez border crossing today to return to his family during this waiting period.
Please continue to pray for the big happy boy and his lovely mother and family.
Since Hassan was here a few months ago, he seems to have grown immensely. When I picked Hassan and his mother up from the Erez border crossing, it took me a second to realize the toddler I was expecting was not so little anymore. Everyone who saw him at the hospital remarked at how tall he has become.
He has come to Sheba hospital for a catheterization, but the doctor wants him to wait for further assessment as he is with a cough. He and his mother are now staying with us in our community home in Jaffa. It is a delight to have them in our home and to get to know them in this setting.
Hassan and his mother came early from the Erez border crossing for an echo at Sheba hospital today. His mum is well organised, always thinking to bring him in a pushchair for the long day.
Hassan was greeted and recognised by many of the staff at the cardiology department, as he has been there so often, and has had such hard recoveries. I think we all share the joy to see him now three years old, able to walk and learning to talk.
The doctor did not change Hassan’s treatment and decided that Hassan is in a reasonable condition to send back to Gaza, and return again for a catheterisation in the following few months.
Hassan and his mum came from Gaza for a cardiology appointment today at Sheba Hospital. They were extremely punctual arriving outside the Erez border crossing as the first of four families who would come out today. The family seems to take the health of dear Hassan very seriously, as they left their home very early in the morning, bearing under the freezing cold February rains of Gaza.
Hassan is growing in confidence each time we see him at the hospital. During the waiting time, one of the nurses even had to usher him back to his mother, as she sat chatting with the other mothers. He had found his way over to play with another child in the echo area; thank God that he can be living such a normal life, after his multiple difficult surgeries and recoveries in hospital.
Hassan cried a lot during the echo, but the doctor declared at the end that although complex, his heart is looking well.
They needed to wait for us to order and collect one of his medications (Clexane), and then wait some more for a car to be available to bring them back to Gaza.
So Hassan was able to enjoy himself on a ‘merry-go-round’ on the hospital groounds. It is special to be able to see him enjoying himself so much.
They have been invited to return for a check-up in one month.
Everything lined up for a smooth day today with Hassan. Unexpectedly, he was discharged by the cardiologist relatively early in the day.
The cardiologist was very informative, and told us that Hassan has been helped well by his two Cath-eterizations, both performed here in the hospital during Hassan’s visits with us. He explained that Hassan has a problem of thrombosis and that during the Catheterizations, they had been able to dilate his pulmonary vessels, which had been occluded. They were also able to place a stent, to hopefully help keep this sweet boy’s health in a reasonable condition.
It is very important that Hassan is able to continue receiving two daily injections of a medication to help his blood flow well around the body. His mum is doing these injections, and is a firm advocate to en-sure Hassan has all the medications and appointments that he needs. It can be difficult to get two of his medications in Gaza. Thankfully yesterday, the Sheba hospital staff and my co-worker Alena had worked hard to ensure that we can supply the necessary medications, and have them available and ready today.
The extra sweet piece of news extracted from this day, was that the cardiologist doesn’t need to see Hassan for another month, which means that today they were able to return to Gaza. Mum couldn’t believe the news at first and was so happy to know she could return to her family tonight.
Thank God for Hassan’s shortest ever hospital stay, and for His protection over Hassan’s life.
Hassan had a second Interventional Catheterization today, and thanks be to God, the doctors are optimistic that he can return to Gaza tomorrow. This was surprising because usually he stays for months in the hospital due to various complications with his condition, so this would be his shortest stay ever.
His mother was is so happy with the outcome of the Catheterization, as well as the prospect of returning home so soon.
I pray this is the case for him because you can see how familiar the hospital is to him, although it doesn’t necessarily follow that he’s not afraid of things there, but just the way he is in that environment so frequently, you can tell that he knows it maybe too well.
God willing he will return home to his family, Lord willing tomorrow.
Hassan is staying in the secondary ICU after his Catheterization last Thursday, and given his current condition maybe this week he will need to have another interventional Catheterization.
He has been in and out of the hospital for most of his three years of life. We have seen him grow up and also struggle through many surgeries and long recoveries. His mum was by his side and together we called his auntie who had been with him for many of his previous hospital stays; it was so nice to see her, and Hassan grabbed the phone to say hi to her!
Please pray for dear Hassan, also lovingly called Hasoon by friends and family. May God give wisdom to the doctors in deciding how to move forward.
Hassan was taken into his Catheterization procedure this morning at Sheba Medical Center.
Thank the Lord, it was successful, and thankfully he is recovering well so far, which has not always been the way for this sweet boy. The doctors were able to dilate some of his blood vessels which will help to improve his oxygen levels.
Please pray that he continues to recover safely, and for strength for his mum during the hospital stay.
Today, Hassan and his mother came from The Gaza Strip to Sheba Medical Center, in Tel Aviv. He had a first check-up which showed that his oxygen saturation and his breathing were not very good. My co-worker Carina went with them to the X-ray department where he cried very loudly because his mother had to wait outside. And on top of that, they also had to do a Corona test which was again, an unpleasant thing for Hassan.
As you can see in this picture, he wasn’t very happy much of the time because of these treatments. We gave him a chocolate waffle which calmed him down and allowed them to peaceably wait whilst their room was being made ready to stay in the hospital.
So please pray for Hassan and his coming treatment.
Hassan and his mother had to come to the hospital today because Hassan needed an Echo. Hassan was not very peaceful during the Echo and his lovely mother tried to calm him down with Videos on her phone. He received some Christmas chocolate from the nurses as well which is lovely and made him happy. He ate some chocolate during his Echo which caused him a chocolatey mouth and hands.
The outcome of the Echo is that he needs a catheterisation but for today he and his mother returned back to Gaza because they didn’t did the catheterisation today. Please pray that the cath can be done soon and for strength and peace for his parents.
Yesterday, I drove to Erez Border Crossing and picked up Hassan and this time, his own mother was with him as his required chaperone. Hassan’s Aunt had called me and asked that I look out for Hassan’s mom, as this is her first time attending Hassan to hospital in Israel.
Soon, however, I saw another side of Hassan who has spent so much time undergoing treatment at Sheba Medical Center. Simply put, he was so attached and loving towards his mother, and she received and reciprocated it. They were just instep with each other in a way that only comes from a time-honoured routine. There was no novelty in their relationship. For Hassan, his mother was a familiar and safe place. It was one of the sweetest things ever.
He had a CT Angio and an Echo today, and we got a really early start. He is not yet ready for the next operation, but his saturation was good. From the Echo-reading, there wasn’t any evidence of blood clots. The CT results will provide clarity into continuing with or stopping the medication he takes to prevent them.
By the end of the day, he was cleared to return to Gaza and come back in two months! I was so happy for this day for Hassan. He has had a few traumatic first years of life, and there are still many hospitalisations in front of him. Today was evidence that his condition isn’t deteriorating and his health is being maintained, thanks be to God. Thank all of you for your continued prayers for this little one.
Three days ago, the hospital sent a list of eleven different medications Hassan needed to receive. Our Gaza coordinator confirmed with a doctor that these medications could be obtained in Gaza, but we learned that two of his medications were unable to be obtained. These two medications are antibiotics that are not commonly used, but they were important to help Hassan fight off a bacterial infection he developed.
We were struggling to find these medications in pharmacies that we were familiar with, and even the hospital pharmacy said they only had a 3-day supply. Thankfully later the hospital internal pharmacy was able to secure a supply for Hassan. God always provides.
The hospital was so caring in making sure that Hassan and his family could get the medications. Coworker Amar confirmed again with the family that they could get the medications, and the father said that they could also not get an important medication. This medication is in the form of a subcutaneous injection and is extremely important due to his history of blood clots. Just a few hours before his discharge, the pharmacy was able to supply this medication.
When Hassan was waiting to be discharged, the pharmacy sent over three boxes of medications just for Hassan. It was an unexpected surprise. The pharmacy not only sent the medications we ordered, but his other medications as well!
At last, Hassan was finally discharged. Coworkers Alena and Georgia joyfully took Hassan and his aunt to the border of Gaza. Hassan has been through so many procedures. His 52 page discharge report details how complex Hassan is. God has sustained his life through it all.
We look forward to seeing Hassan in a couple months for his follow-up appointments.
It was quite difficult to capture a photo of Hassan because he was always moving. He would look at me, turn his face away, and then quickly show a playful smile.
There were times when Hassan would take my phone and try to take a photo of me or his aunt.
Hassan is still receiving his medication treatment and nebulization treatment. We pray and hope that Hassan will maintain his playfulness and that he will recover well to return home.
This sweet boy was in a really fun mood when I saw him and his aunty at Sheba Medical Center today!
He was laughing and playing games with us both, and it made me realise just how unwell he must have been feeling these past weeks as he just lay silently on his bed. He has a really special personality, and as ever, his aunty was good fun to be with too!
She told me that the end might be in sight for them soon, and she is hopeful that later this week perhaps Hassan will be discharged. It depends on whether he remains without fever.
Thank God for the steps of progress and healing in Hassan!
It is refreshing to see Hassan smile. His face lit up as I entered his hospital room, and we enjoyed each other’s company. It was nice to see him eat and to play – simple daily activities that we often take for granted. He even tried blowing kisses. His sweet and patient aunt has been by his side the whole time.
Hassan is still receiving antibiotics and also medication for his blood clot. Hassan also required oxygen support today.
Please continue to pray for Hassan during his recovery time.
Hassan is even sweeter than his vanilla-flavored yogurt that he was eating today. I treasured the short amount of time I had with him in Sheba Medical Center today, spoon feeding him this yogurt. He always looks at me with his big brown curious eyes, and both he and his aunt are always a pleasure to visit.
Please continue to pray for Hassan as he is still receiving the medication for his blood clot. Please also continue to pray for strength and joy as he continues his recovery in the hospital.
Co-worker Georgia and I traveled to Sheba Medical Center to visit Hassan and his auntie after they were moved back up to the ICU.
During an echo yesterday, there was a problem in his blood vessels and he was taken right away for a C.T. scan. It showed that he had a blood clot, which he is now on medicine for.
Despite this, he was in a very good mood. We joked with his auntie that he liked this room the best as he has been in many, many rooms all over the hospital. His joy also might have had something to do with the chocolate milk he was drinking. In many of his pictures he looks quite anxious, but he was so happy today!
Georgia and I really enjoyed the time with him and his auntie. Please pray for them both as he continues to recover and she steadfastly cares for him.
It hasn’t been an easy week for Hassan. Recovering from his 3 hour catheterisation on Tuesday, he’s finally off Oxygen support. Since then, he’s also started physiotherapy, which he really dislikes.
Despite all this, Hassan was in a better mood today. It filled me with so much joy to see the cheeky smile return to his face as we played a game with my ID badge and blew kisses at each other (or rather I blew kisses and he blew raspberries in return). He has a great laugh, and a wonderful sense of humor – just like his Aunty. It’s an incredible gift to see God continue to fill them with his joy, even after all these weeks in hospital.
As I was reflecting on my visit, the chorus of a Rend Collective song came to mind:
The joy of the Lord is my strength In the darkness I’ll dance In the shadows I’ll sing The joy of the Lord is my strength
We know Hassan and his Aunt have a long journey ahead of them. He has a very complicated heart and many more long days in hospital await him. In the dark and shadowy moments, I long to see them encounter the joy of the Lord as their strength.
Hassan is in the children’s Intensive Care Unit of Sheba Medical Hospital still recovering from yesterday’s catheterisation.
The nurse explained that during the procedure yesterday, where his pulmonary arteries were dilated, they also found a blood clot which has responded well to the treatment given.
He is now a bit more stable after all this and was having physiotherapy this morning. However, his oxygen level is still quite low, and he is not eating well at all.
The journey with Hassan has been long indeed. Every time he goes to the hospital however, he has his aunt by his side, and a caring medical team to help him. We are praying for his complete recovery, and for a full life in the future.
Hassan’s Aunt has been at the hospital a long time now and is very used to how everything works.
She was very relaxed and calm as we waited for her nephew’s catheterisation to finish. We spent a lovely time with another mum, also in the ICU unit, who was anxious to hear how Hassan was doing, and also interested to hear about Shevet Achim and all the volunteers from different countries. It’s really nice to see a little community forming on the 6th floor of Sheba Hospital. Going through the highs and lows, these mums and aunties and grandmums are all supporting each other in a beautiful way.
After a long three-hour wait, Hassan was finally out of the catheterisation. His doctor said it took so long because they did a lot of different things for his heart. Shortly afterwards, he was extubated and soon fell asleep with his faithful Aunt by his side.
It was lovely to see Hassan’s big brown eyes interacting with me when I walked into his hospital room.
Hassan has been recovering from his diaphragm placation surgery. The doctors would like to plan an interventional catheterization to widen his pulmonary artery on Tuesday.
Please pray for Hassan and his aunt as they wait for his catheterization. His aunt has been so kind in caring for him.
There was a sweet moment when Hassan reached for his aunt, seeking comfort. I hope that he will learn to seek comfort in God as well.
An apple day keeps the doctor away. And while it doesn’t exactly fit that a smile a day keeps the doctor away, we are seeing that Hassan’s joyful attitude is helping him to endure this long hospital recovery.
The doctors don’t have any new information on why he continues to have low oxygen and recurrent fevers. However, we praise God that he has continued to be stable.
We hope in the next few days to have some answers about another investigation of his oxygen levels and hopefully get some answers. In the meantime, we continue to pray for this sweet boy and his aunt. May God give them peace and comfort during this long wait.
Ok, let’s begin with the good news: Hassan is extubated again! So he can breath by himself, what is really nice. But otherwise, nothing has else has improved today.
He still has a fever and a very low oxygen level. The maximum value today was 68 in an absolute restful state. The nurses told us that the big PET-CT Scan from yesterday was not successful because of some technical issues. So they have no new information about Hassan’s condition and want to try another one.
But this little fighter is still impressing us: He never loses his unique smile! He takes every situation as she is and starts tackling the problems.
Shevet co-worker Colin and I saw Hassan today, in a familiar intubated state in the Sheba Medical Pediatric ICU.
He continues to have a high temperature. As yet the doctors have not been able to identify why this is, but he did have a scan today which should be able to identify if there is an infection. Until he is more stable, it is not possible for him to have a catheterisation. The doctors are hoping to be able to extubate him today, and let him rest and recover.
Hassan’s lovely aunty told us that her son is getting married today, and showed us pictures of all of her family. They will have a deferred wedding party to celebrate when she and Hassan are finally able to return to their family in Gaza.
Hassan has been fighting for his life, and has endured so much. It seems like he is on a boat that is enduring seasons of calm waves and times of stormy seas.
Despite the conditions, he still continues to sail. His lovely aunt has been with him during these times. She seemed tired, but she is a true swimmer.
She explained how he had a bronchoscopy and was intubated. Through this journey, I hope that they both can possess full assurance in knowing that God is with them.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
Last week, Hassan was moved from the Sheba Medical Center general paediatric ward, back to the Intensive Care Unit.
Today his aunt explained this was due to a collapsed lung. He also has a fever today and the doctors will have to wait for this to resolve before he can have his catheterisation.
Despite all this, Hassan and his aunt were in a great mood. It continues to surprise me to see how upbeat and positive they are after such a long hospital stay. Yet again, I left Hassan’s room with a smile on my face, encouraged and refreshed by our visit. The strength and joy of Hassan and his beautiful aunt is yet another reminder that God is at work – His strength goes far beyond our own.
This morning in our meeting we sang a song called Everlasting God and, thinking of Hassan, the lyrics came to mind again, see them below and please pray that God would continue to be the strength of Hassan and his aunt, lifting them up on wings like eagles….
At Sheba Medical Center today, as co-worker Colin and I approached Hassan’s room, the sound of laughter greeted us long before we got there. Hassan and his Aunt were a picture of pure joy, making faces at each other until one of them erupted once more into laughter. Watching them together, I couldn’t help but laugh too – it was just contagious. Sharing this moment felt so special, seeing the smiles creep across their tired faces, bringing a new light and hopefulness to their eyes.
It’s been a long journey for Hassan, it was so good to see him feeling better today. He’s still receiving a moderate amount of oxygen support at the moment. The doctors are assuming his pulmonary artery is too narrow, and they may need to help open it up. The plan is to do another catheterisation on Tuesday to check if this is necessary.
It was a pleasure and a joy for co-worker Alena and I to see Hassan and his happy, faithful auntie today at the Sheba Medical Center. She greeted us with a lot of love, coke and chocolates, and we enjoyed our time together.
However, we heard that later in the afternoon, Hassan’s oxygen dropped very low, he had problems with his breathing and therefore had been taken back to Intensive Care.
The journey for Hassan seems always a difficult one. Please pray that God will strengthen this little body, grant endurance and complete his healing.
Today, co-worker Colin and I found Hassan on the fourth floor of the children’s cardiac care wing of Sheba Medical Center. He had been moved from the ICU yesterday to the general ward floor!
It reminded me of when I first met him last summer, he was in a similar room nearby. He was in a lot of pain, and was nervous to see me and Colin, so please pray for him to be comforted.
Please also pray for his auntie who is experiencing chronic pain radiating from her lower back to ankle on her left side. We were able to get her some medicine to help with her pain, which is exacerbated by all the standing she does as she cares for Hassan.
Despite a difficult few days, Hassan’s Aunt seemed as cheerful and optimistic as ever. Her patience and faithfulness never cease to astound me. Over the past months, she has spent countless days and weeks by Hassan’s bedside, talking to him, comforting him and a lot of the time, just sitting there with him. As we sat today, his aunt showed me countless pictures of Hassan and the rest of her family back in Gaza. This love is so beautiful to see.
Hassan seems to be doing a bit better today. Although he still has a long way to go and is on various medications, his fever has gone, which is great news.
As I turned to leave, Hassan’s Aunt handed me a box of dates, insisting I take them to share with the rest of the community. I was really touched by her generosity and encouraged that our visits mean so much to her.
For the last three days, Hassan has been struggling with fevers. He still requires a high amount of oxygen support and was started on antibiotics because of his fevers. The doctors are not sure of the cause of his fevers and are waiting for some test results, but they suspect it was caused by his heart’s weak pumping ability He is still on a medication to support his heart function, and is going through withdrawal symptoms from his anesthesia/sleeping medications when he was intubated. Please pray for Hassan and his sweet aunt as he slowly recovers.
At Sheba Medical Center, in the morning, our friend Hassan was extubated. When my wife and co-worker Anna and I came for visiting in the afternoon, the medical staff was working on an echo. Hassan was conscious but also very dazed by his strong pain medications.
The responsible doctor explained to me that his SpO2 between 75 and 78 is very good for his actual state, but to see Hassan, how he shook and gasped, was very sad.
But we want to trust God, and the doctors, that Hassan will recover well. Please pray for this little fighter, his is an upwards fight.
Since his Glenn operation last week, Hassan has been intubated. Today they are working on weaning him off of the mechanical ventilation. As they also slowly reduce his sedation, he is becoming more conscious and his aunt calls his name to see if he responds.
It was really good to visit his auntie. Shevet head nurse Colin and co-worker Ruth, as well as I all at the Sheba Medical Center today! I told her how the Shevet staff in Jaffa see how hard she works for Hassan, how she’s come for every out-patient check-up appointment, and now as she continues Ramadan fasting, she has given up her home and family to be with Hassan.
“I love him so, so much,” was her response. It’s a gift from God that Hassan has a family who are so devoted to him.
Five days after his surgery, Hassan is still struggling and on mechanical ventilation. We pray for the Spirit of God to be life and strength for him, his family, and for the doctors fighting for his life.
Hassan, whom many of us have known for a long time, has waited for quite some time for surgery. It has been special to see him again, and his faithful auntie.
He had a Glenn operation yesterday. He was extubated on the same day as the surgery, but later required intubating again as his oxygen levels dropped. He is still needing a lot of attention from the medical team in the intensive care unit.
Please pray for Hassan, as his condition is not so stable. Please also remember his auntie as well, and ask that God would give her peace and strength.
For many coworkers of Shevet Achim, Hassan isn’t an unknown boy. He spent a loooong time in his earlier days for different treatments in Israel. Meanwhile, he is now two years old and today he came back with his aunt for another surgery at Sheba Medical Center.
When you see him for the first time, you can feel that this young man had to endure a lot before. Now he is a real professional, has no fear about the hospital and was the whole long day very kind and relaxed.
When we entered the security check-in, we had some troubles with the papers and it was difficult to understand each other. Hassan’s aunt didn’t speak Hebrew or English, the guard didn’t speak Arabic and just a little bit of English, and I can’t speak Arabic or Hebrew. So we stood together in a brisk, patched-up multi-lingual discussion around this unhurried and calm boy Hassan, who patiently accepted everything.
Thanks the Lord that coworker and Arabic-speaking Amar was available for translating via phone. So everything went well and Hassan could be admitted. Let`s pray and hope for healing treatments and a good surgery.
Our dear Hassan went to Sheba Medical Center today for an echo. Shevet staff member Joela went to the echo with him, but he knew where he was, and started crying immediately. Joela put on a YouTube video which she simultaneously sang to. He loved Old MacDonald had a Farm. He’s not usually calm during echoes, but when Joela was singing, he managed to calm down a bit.
The doctor said he will need surgery, but because it is not urgent, he will wait until more funding comes towards the 2019 bill for surgeries. Please continue to pray for God to provide for this. Hassan, though he has been with us so often, does not yet have a local leader.
I thought of this past summer, and of his long stay in the hospital because he had many problems, and this was the only way he could receive adequate treatment. I was there the first time he had surgery, and neither his auntie nor I knew how often he would come back to Sheba for check-ups, or that he would need many more surgeries in the future. But he and his auntie are now a part of our family, and we love them so much; please pray for his body to be made well, and please prayerfully consider financially advocating for this precious boy.
As Joela sang today in the echo “He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got you and me in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands.” Our Father holds Hassan in His hands, may his future be bright and healthy and filled with love of his Ceator.
Hassan came back for an echo today! He was here a few weeks ago for a catheterization, so the echo today was to check up on his health. The doctors will discuss him again in a conference. It’s tricky because he is not very well. His oxygen was at 81 today and often drops below 70, also his lips are frequently blue, even with many previous interventions this past summer. So he is not well without another surgery, but his case is very complex, which is why there is much deliberation over his treatment.
Hassan and his lovely auntie know the hospital so well now. He became fussier as the day went on, and he was very upset during the echo, but thankfully our beautiful Helen was there to help calm him. She took bells that hung on her purse and gave them to Hassan to play with, which he really liked.
They felt like old friends because of the duration of time they spent in the hospital over the summer and also because of frequent appointments for him. But also, the long stay is hard on his auntie, and as the doctors discuss his upcoming operation, we pray for God to be with Hassan and his aunt, and thank Him for the gift that they are.
When we arrived at the hospital today, Hassan was already discharged and ready to go home to Gaza.
We are so grateful to God that his procedure went so well, that he recovered quickly, and was discharged speedily so he can return to his family. He was thrilled to receive a lollipop from little Israa’s father, and plopped it right into his mouth wrapper and all. His smile is bright and beautiful and he blew us kisses while loading him in the car.
We took Israa back to the base and picked up a sandwich for his aunt, and headed to Gaza. The trip went very well and Hassan slept most of the way. When we arrived at the border we made sure that they had all their belongings and made it safely into the building before we headed back to Jaffa.
Hassan will be returning to Sheba for a follow up appointment in January to make sure that he is still doing well. Praise Be to God for a quick hospital stay for Hassan this time, and may he continue to work in the lives of this family.
It seems like little Hassan is spending half of his life in the hospital. Although it’s lovely to see him, I wonder how his family are feeling at home in Gaza, thinking about their baby. It’s only ever been his aunty who’s accompanied him over the border to Israel, and has seen the doctors and nurses who have been caring for him.
Today, he was having another catheterisation. The doctor afterwards told me that he was fine following the procedure. Although he wasn’t too happy as you can see in the photo. He was crying and upset.
The cath was to check if Hassan’s body was ready for another surgery yet, and found that the answer is no, not yet. God knows the plans for Hassan’s life, and has brought him so far. Please continue to keep praying for this sweet boy.
Dear Hassan is back in Israel for a catheterization tomorrow! In his short life he has had many surgeries and caths, and tomorrow will show us what is the next step for his treatment.
I was so happy to see him and his lovely auntie, although it’s much colder since the last time they were here. He was swaddled in a big blanket and many layers of clothes! When we stopped at the Sheba security check and his aunt had to go inside, I got to hold him for that duration of time, which was so sweet because most of the time he was here last time he had wires and cannulas attached to him. We looked at the pine needles of the trees around us and a nearby stray cat that was prancing back and forth on the sidewalk. It was a beautiful moment before we dropped them off at the children’s hospital for his admission.
Of course it is a pleasure to see him and his aunt once again, but I pray it will not be a hard ordeal for either of them. We ask for God’s peace for them and wisdom for the doctors, in Jesus’ name.
Hassan came to Sheba today for a follow up apointment after his previous discharge. This was my first time meeting him and his aunt; I was so touched by them both. Hassan’s aunt had the most beautiful smile – the kind that lights up a room and makes everyone else want to smile too. Every time she looked at him, even in his tearful moments, she couldn’t help but smile. Her love for little Hassan was written all over her face.
I only had a short time with Hassan and his aunt today; after the appointment, they returned to Gaza. Yet even in this short encounter, they left an impression – Hassan with his big round eyes, soaking in the world around him, his aunt with her gentleness and love. They are two very special people.
Please continue to pray for Hassan’s health. Pray that God would bless him and his family and that they would know God’s love for them.
Today was a very happy day for our precious Hassan. As I walked into his room there was a bright smile on his beautiful face while his aunt was packing their stuff together. She happily told me they can go back to Gaza. I was very surprised because Hassan still has a bad cough but his heart is doing great so the doctors allowed him to go home after two months and 12 days.
We celebrated his discharge and danced a little bit with Hassan and his aunt. It really touched my heart to see them this happy.
The drive to Gaza was a little bit exhausting because there was so much traffic and Hassan wasn’t amused about it. We arrived in the late afternoon and dropped these two amazing people off.
Now that they are home again please keep on praying for them. Hassan’s cough needs to get better and also pray for the aunt to get strength again at home with her family. Thanks to our great God who has been with them all the time!
Visiting Hassan was probably the best thing of my hospital day today. He is so full of life, so active, constantly moving and clapping and talking. He really enjoyed the songs Helen was singing, swaying back and forth with the rhythm.
After his CT scan last week he had been moved from the 6th floor to the secondary ICU. The nurse said that she is very happy about him, as he has improved a lot since then. His oxygen went from 60% to almost 90%. And the nasty wound on his foot is decreasing more and more. When I saw him two days ago he was quite upset as he was constantly coughing. He almost couldn’t draw breath. Nevertheless I knew that it was good as it helped to free his lungs.
I was just thinking of this song were it says:
“You breathe your life into my lungs You bring to life these dry bones I’m coming alive”
God I thank you so much that Hassan is so full of life despite his sickness! Please continue what you’ve been doing and give this energy also to his lovely aunt who is very exhausted as she is always standing next to his bed.
We met a happy and smiling Hassan today. He played with Margarita and loved the attention he was getting. Hassan’s Aunty was also happy to see us and asked after Alena with whom she has been able to form an especially close bond.
Hassan has been recovering well from his surgery with his chest wound healing beautifully and no longer requiring a dressing. He still requires monitoring but we hope to have a full medical report soon and an update as to ongoing treatment. Hassan’s biggest concern at the moment is that one of the intravenous drugs he needed tissues a few days ago and leaked medication into the surrounding area. This led to a wound forming on his ankle as the skin died. Despite the nasty looking sore, Hassan enjoyed us tickling his feet and had no problems moving around his cot like any baby his age.
Please pray for continued healing for Hassan who has had a very long hospital stay in his short life.
I was very excited to go to the hospital today in anticipation of seeing the families and especially Hassan and his aunt. Both are lovely! Hassan is well. He sleeps well and keeps smiling during the day. Four days ago he had water in his lungs but after a new test today it was all gone – that’s great! He has some pain in his feet but doesn’t cry! This is good to know and very helpful for his aunt because she’s tired a lot.
Every time I go to see Hassan I see her standing at his bed and watching him, caring him and not leaving him alone. She is a beautiful woman. She is loving and caring for him with endurance. She wouldn’t sit down to get some rest and relax her feet so she has some pain. Please let us keep both of them in our prayers. Especially their pain and wounds, their hearts but also their emotional well-being as Auntie is really missing home and her own children! She left them behind to make the needed treatment possible for him. I spent almost the same time working with Shevet Achim as she has been in the hospital with Hassan and it’s hard for me to imagine how difficult it must be for her not being able to leave the hospital, meeting friends or going for a walk in nature.
I remember my first day in the hospital and she was the one who I met first. Since then she has been special to me although we don’t get to see each other a lot. It was a blessing to have Moshe with me who was a great translator between Auntie and me since I don’t speak Arabic. I pray for strength to continue the walk of taking care of Hassan and staying at the hospital. And I pray for open eyes and a soft heart seeing the mighty works of God, her creator.
I was surprised to learn from the mother of Reem today, that Hassan was no longer in the cardiac area of the hospital, because he has been vomiting so much that he required a surgery on his intestines. Lindsay commented how this little one has known so many surgeries to be the norm, for his life. I thought about this as I walked up to the top floor of the hospital, to find him, and I felt so grateful to God for sustaining his life each time. It was a joy to see him and his sweet auntie, who has given many weeks of her life to accompany him here in the hospital.
Hassan seemed to be in a bit of pain, as his auntie lifted his duvet cover to show me the long, stapled incision sites on his abdomen, and his back. He moaned a little as he waved his hand towards us, his cannula tube dangling in front of his eyes.
Praise God that there is a hope and a future for Hassan. Please continue to pray that God will bless and sustain this life, and that Hassan would see healing as he perhaps begins to take some milk orally in the next few days.
Hassan is now in the second ICU. This means his condition definitely got better because he doesn’t have to be under constant supervision. Though he doesn’t feel well- I was able to see that first on the worried face of his auntie and then on his red eyes which come from cryingalot. My heart was aching for him in this moment. He has to work so hard to breath and his chest was moving too fast just to get some air. Around him and on his body are several cables that make him feel uncomfortable and he tries to strip them of. The days of recovery demand a lot of strength of this little boy. Adding to this he has a cough which makes breathing even harder. I was so sad because I wasn’t able to help in any way but praying. Oh Jesus, you know the poor little boy. You know how he feels and the pain he experiences. You hold him in your hands and you take care of him. Let us trust in Him that He is our Almighty God who works in our day to day life.
And please keep praying for him and every sick child in the ICU. Pray that he calms down to find rest. He has been many times in the hospital and we hope to see him getting better as soon as possible. Pray that he is able to eat more to get the strength he really needs. And let us be thankful for the treatment and health care Hassan gets at the hospital.
This morning I checked on the fifth floor where Hassan’s room was. Over the past two weeks his surgery has been rescheduled, but today I found his room empty and his beautiful auntie waiting on the fourth floor by the doors of the operating room. She was very calm and enjoyed the company of a mother from Jerusalem and also Rafif’s grandmother. Sitting with her was a blessing because she shared with me about her life in Gaza, and showed pictures of her children. There was this one particular picture she showed me of her and her son on his wedding day that really touched my heart. It was candid and showed so much love and joy between the two of them.
When Hassan came out of surgery – which was very long, it lasted six and a half hours – she called his father who was very happy that his son was out of surgery. The surgeon said that the surgery went well, and when I saw what his heart problems were, I understood that the surgery took so long because his heart was very complex. We pray that Hassan will progressively recover and become the bouncy, happy boy he has always been. And please pray that our volunteers would be able to minister to his beautiful aunt while she is here with us. Thank you Jesus for seeing this little boy and interceding for his life.
Hassan was supposed to have a surgery yesterday but he got postponed again because all beds of the ICU are currently used. Now we can just wait for available beds. In the meantime he is a really happy boy – too happy to sleep- said his aunt who is taking care of him. Both of them are doing well. He was smiling and giggling all the time throughout my visit. In the end I left in the hope he would fall asleep soon
It was such a treat to learn that Hassan was in the hospital today for the next stage of his treatment. Hassan was due to have surgery today but due to the ICU being so full with very unstable children his surgery had to be postponed until Sunday.
It was great to have Moshe with our team today as he was able to chat with Hassan’s aunt in Arabic. It is clear from what she says that life in Gaza is very different to life in Israel. It came as a surprise to me to learn that she and another of the mums currently in Sheba wear a niqab in Gaza.
We looked back together on old pictures of Hassan from last year and we praise God that he has strengthened and preserved his life over this time. Please pray for his surgery on Sunday.
Little-charmer Hassan from Gaza is scheduled for surgery tomorrow (Thursday). It is expected to be a complicated surgery.
Hassan’s mom’s eyes betray her anxiety, even as Hassan smiles and laughs from his bed, happy to see a visitor that will distract him from pulling at his covered IV hand. Hassan’s oxygen levels are in the 70’s and his breathing is fast. The long-awaited surgery is now almost here.
It is always beautiful to hear news about Hassan. He is a miracle and he is brave baby. He is really strong, and I’m sure that God has an amazing plan with this beautiful baby. Today Yousef had the pleasure to visit him. He had a CT scan, and hopefully he can get his surgery this Tuesday.
Please pray for wisdom for the medical team, and for an open schedule for his surgery and for a complete and fast healing.
Beautiful Hassan came last night to Sheba hospital. This boy has a very complicated heart, and the doctors are hoping to take him into surgery tomorrow. Already he has had two surgeries and three catheterizations. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, and for God given peace for his family back in Gaza. As Jesus commands Thomas:
“Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
Let us look to the cross and believe in the sovereignty of God over Hassan’s life.
Svea and I got the news today that Hassan can be discharged from the hospital. He was brought up for an echo earlier in the week, but due to his poor condition, needed to be hosptialised for a catheterisation. So today, when we saw him, he was looking very happy and his aunt was preparing to go home. Our team at home organised transportation back Gaza, and so Svea and I just had the very enjoyable task of giving him cuddles and loving this sweet boy for a short time.
Hassan is one of the first children who I saw when I got here a year ago. I remember thinking how tiny he was, and watching his laboured breathing and thinking that his life is really in the hands of God. I flicked back through my Google photos, and found a photo of his tiny white body from last year, and really we have to praise God, who has brought him out of death and into life! Please keep on praying for Hassan’s health.
Yesterday, our beautiful Hassan had a good cath. So, we thought that he would be discharged today. But when I visited him his lovely aunt told me that his oxygen was not good. I asked the nurse and she informed me that his oxygen was a little low. She also told me they consider a virus, but so far they really don’t know what he has. So, he got a chest x-ray, an ultrasound and a blood test. And also tomorrow, they are going to repeat the ultrasound. His aunt is really amazing, she loves him so much.
Please pray for him. Pray especially for healing and wisdom for the medical team, so they know what is really happening with him.
I was pleased to learn yesterday that one of the babies due to visit Sheba for an echo was Hassan. He was one of the first babies I met when I came to Israel around a year ago. I remember he had such a tiny body with very long eye lashes and he lay looking quite helpless in the ICU. Over the year I have been reunited with Hassan and his lovely aunt a few times and it has been a blessing to get to know them and to see Hassan grow and look stronger. However, on seeing Hassan and his aunt yesterday at the Erez crossing I messaged home quickly to ask for support in praying for the two. Hassan had blue skin and he was sweating a lot and his aunt looked very tired and worried.
Thankfully God blessed our journey to Sheba and we arrived in good time. When I met up with Hassan’s aunt later in the day she said that he would need to stay in hospital for a catheterisation. Praise God this was able to take lace first thing this morning and the doctors were able to dilate Hassan’s pulmonary artery with a balloon during the procedure. Hassan should be able to return home to Gaza tomorrow. Please pray that he returns strong and that his heart will be protected. It is expected that Hassan may need a number of procedures on his heart as he gets bigger and we thank God so much for sustaining him in having life. Would Hassan and his aunt seek after and find the living water we are promised in Jesus.
Life is filled with challenges and how we face these bumps along the way tells us more about ourselves than we might care to admit. Well my day today with Hassan was full of surprises. Hassan’s case is rather complex and full of twists and turns. We spent the morning doing an Echo and an ECG and the afternoon at Gastro and Neurology appointments.
This beautiful young boy took the whole day in his stride and faced his challenges head on. He has a very loving and supportive father who holds his hand and cheers him on when things are tough. They faced their challenges beautifully together even though some of the news is not what we had hoped to hear. 
