Today, coworker Jonathan brought Soso and her grandfather to the Temple Mount and gave them a chance to spend some time there as they had been wanting to do for a few days now.
After this outing, Soso and her grandfather were brought to Hadassah Hospital where we rendevouzed and put them in our vehicle to take them back to the border with Gaza.
Soso had a surgery on 10 september at Hadassah Hospital to make her aorta bigger. The surgery was very succesful and so was the recovery. After she was released from hospital, Soso and her grandfather spent a few days at the Jerusalem community house before returning to the Gaza.
We were able to bring Soso and her grandfather back home to the Erez crossing point. She was very happy on the way back.
Please pray for Soso that she will stay healthy and grow up further as a strong girl.
Coworker Jonathan and I went to Hadassah Hospital today to see if Soso was ready to be released to our home in Jerusalem.
We found Soso and her grandfather waiting in a very empty Surgical Ward. The holidays in Israel have created a rather empty hospital with scant crews functioning for the most part.
Soso was very happy to sit in her booster seat in our van and was obedient to keep herself seat-belted in. We hope she has a good and restful time convalescing in our house.
I went to Hadassah Hospital to check on how Soso was doing. I found nobody on the floor in the Children’s Surgical Ward, but sitting at the nursing station was one Soso, taking charge and drawing some pictures while she was at it.
Soso was just being fun and walking around.
…holding peoples’ hands.
Soso’s grandfather was concerned that Soso was not keeping her food down, but the nurse said this is a normal response from medicine withdrawl after surgery.
Today coworker Ben and I went to Hadassah Hospital to check in on how Soso was doing after her surgery day.
She is fully extubated and has come out of her sedation but was still a bit confused. We found her able to eat already, in fact, she was eating cucumbers when we first saw her today.
She may already be moved to the kids’ Surgical Ward today and we were told a discharge could be just a few days from now.
As we left Soso and her grandfather, Soso was still busy with the business of eating. Thank you for your prayers for Soso’s full recovery now and a bouncing back to life and health – much, much better than before.
I went to Hadassah Hospital early this morning to be with Soso’s grandfather during Soso’s planned early morning surgery. I found Soso patiently waiting, enduring the pangs of hunger having fasted since the night before.
She was wheeled into the OR at about 8:30 this morning. The operation took about three hours, when the doctor came out and made his statement. He said the operation was a success. Grandfather and I were both relieved and thankful.
Soso has now been taken to the pediatric ICU floor to recover. These are now the critical hours of the post-surgery condition in which stability is to be watched and protected. Your continued prayers for little Soso are greatly appreciated.
Little Soso was ‘on the gogo’ again (coworker Max’s phrase) this evening when coworker Ben and I brought her and her grandfather to Hadassah Hospital for her admission. Surgery day is tomorrow.
The nurses love Soso.
Soso will be fasting from around midnight tonight until her appointed time for surgery tomorrow.She’s in the Surgical Ward of Hadassah Hospital, room #4. Thank you for your prayers for her surgery tomorrow. We join you.
Sweet little Soso who is a four-year old girl from Gaza, came to Hadassah Hospital on thursday together with her grandfather.
Doctors made the regular tests and an x-ray as a preparation for the planned surgery in the beginning of next week. A nurse gave her a gift and she started to frame the paper she received with the colorful stickers.
After that, this wonderful little girl spent one hour, patiently awaiting what’s next on the schedule on a hard examination bed in the doctor’s room without complaining, even though I saw she felt despair.
At the end of our hospital visit, we met some people whose only desire was to cheer up the sick children with gifts. It was a wonderful moment to see this little girl’s facial expression when our coworker Willem and I helped her to open all the gifts.
Oh how I wish that every child’s face would look like this, covered with a big smile and eyes that shone with anticipation!
Today coworker Zech and I were able to take our dear friend Soso to Hadassah Hospital located in the suburbs of Jerusalem! After picking her and her grandpa and another child and chaperone up from Gaza, we began the trek to Jerusalem through serene olive groves and gorgeous mountain passes. Unfortunately, Soso couldn’t handle the winding mountain roads and decided to baptize our van which we have named “Sophomore,” by being the first person to cast up her accounts in it. Despite the little hiccup, Soso kept a good mood throughout the trip and at our arrival to the hospital.
Upon arriving, Soso greeted our coworker Frankie with such joy and happiness, and we guided them to the Pediatric Ward for a heart Echo to see her current health and if she could go through surgery soon. Thank God after a relatively speedy heart Echo, the doctor gave the ‘all clear’ for surgery in about a month, once costs could be confirmed, and said she can safely return to Gaza till then.
After we got the all-clear from the doctor, both Soso and her grandpa were in the best mood! Both of them offered some cookies, although Soso’s cookies did have a few bites missing. She then spent the ‘waiting-to-leave’ time trying to sneak away from her grandpa to go explore, as well as to say “Hi” to some of the other kids in the ward, and just generally to spread joy and cheer. As she just did her thing, I saw how she painted each face with smiles and joy, no matter who walked by – such a blessing from God she is to us!
The happy news continued when Soso’s grandfather told our coworker and fearless leader Jonathan how twenty years earlier, his grandson had also come to Shevet for his heart, and that the little boy we served two decades ago is now a successful engineer! We have faith that Soso will get to be another story in the hospital room, and that this joyful little girl we got to serve will someday go out, change the world, and use her gifts to spread joy.
After a brief phone call to this grandson, to reunite him and Jonathan, Soso got a chance to talk to her relative and the absolute joy on her face warmed my heart. She sat talking with him, giggling and smiling and blabbering away until it was time to go home to Gaza. The journey back was a lot less bumpy, and little Soso didn’t have an issue through the entire trip, thank God!
While parting at the border was sad, we are happy to know that we will see little Soso soon, and for a much-wanted surgery nonetheless! So we know it will only be a matter of time until our little bundle of joy is back with our Shevet community. So until she returns, we pray for her safety while home in Gaza, and that her surgery and recovery would go well.
Soso and her loving grandmother left Israel today to go back to Gaza; they will start there with a three-week quarantine.
I want to share with our readers that really no one can understand how much effort is done here in the hospitals for these children, and how amazing it is to see how quickly they recover.
When I see the smiling face of Soso, I cannot imagine what her little body has gone through but the scar on her chest is the only proof of it. Otherwise, she is just like any little baby her age.
I’m so grateful that I have had the opportunity to meet this little child. I wish her a long and healthy life.
Please continue to carry her and her family in your prayers.
Last week, when I was in Jerusalem, Soso’s grandmother told me she wished that we would meet again, and so it happened to the delight of us both.
Beloved Soso had a cardiology assessment today, and the doctors saw the echo was good. So she and her grandmother are going back to gaza. Since I drive for Shevet from time to time, I went to Hadassah Hospital in Ein Karem to pick up co-worker Yosef, little Soso, and her grandmother.
We went to the Shevet house in Jerusalem to collect their bags. Often parking spaces are a problem in Jerusalem. Since there was nowhere to park, I stayed with Soso in the car where she slept in peace and quiet.
I thought about how children trust us adults, how they smile and cry with us, forgive and forget. This, opposed to adults and how hard it is to trust and forgive others after we have been hurt….
We arrived to the Erez border crossing into the Gaza Strip. Soso smiled to the world around her.The nice guards let me inside the fence to help the mothers with their bags.
We said goodbye there. Soso’s grandmother asked to say hello to all the members of Shevet, waving a hand as she spoke goodbye. Please keep them in your prayers.
We have welcomed a surprise guest this afternoon to our Shevet House in Jaffa. It’s Soso and her grandmother, discharged today from Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem!
Soso and her grandmother will stay here before she has an echo in two weeks. This echo will be used to check that everything has gone well following her heart surgery.
Our beautiful Soso is already outside of the Hadassah ICU. Yesterday she was moved to a pediatric area. She is isolated with her grandmother, waiting for a new echo-cardiogram which will help in her doctor’s decision for the next procedure, either a catheterization or a reparative surgery.
Soso’s grandmother is worried because Soso is not sleeping well, is restless, and most part of the time crying. As soon as the doctor came in, she started to speak to him in Arabic, communicating her concerns. Because the doctor also spoke English, I could ask him about Soso’s status as well. He said this is normal behavior, especially since she has been under sedation up until yesterday, her body has needed to eliminate all the anesthesia; sleeplessness can sometimes be one of the side-effects of anesthesia, not to worry.
Even when this grandmother is kind and patient with Soso, it can sometimes be difficult to calm this little one. Today we tried playing music while grandma held Soso’s hand. As Soso was taking her bottle, the music was working perfectly. Even grandmother was getting sleepy, but then she decided Soso was needing a blanket. She stood up to get the blanket and Soso started to cry again. Music therapy ended! Maybe we’ll try again next time.
Please continue praying for Soso and her grandmother, specially for the anesthesia effects over Soso, and for the next Echo when doctors will decided the next step for this beauty.
Today I was happy to visit with Soso and her grandmother. Soso has had a difficult recovery, being intubated for almost a week since her surgery. The doctors had found there was blood going into the lungs so they inserted a chest tube and have seen improvements since then.
Today, they were even able to extubate her and she is slowly beginning to wake up.
As it is, the doctors are encouraged by her progress even if it has been slow. Her grandmother has been faithfully by her side during this time. We thank God for His hand upon Soso’s life and ask that you would pray with us for her continued healing.
Something that I really admire about Muslims is the way they take care of each other even if they don’t know where the other is from and are not related in any way.
Today, at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, this was confirmed. I saw Soso’s grandmother talking and laughing with two other Palestinian mothers previously unknown to her. As soon as I approached them and took up a chair to be a part of their conversation, one of the mom’s began translating for me into English.
They were sharing about life in Gaza, that God is keeping them safe from Corona virus there. However, it is most likely that Soso and her grandmother will need to be in a period of quarantine soon after they return there.
Our conversation ended when everyone suddenly stood up and began walking away. I followed them, going up one floor. They had gone as a group to visit another young lady who herself is experiencing heart problems. They may not have known her long, but they shared, laughed and generally supported each other, together like a family. I really think our grandma is enjoying what goes on “in the waiting room.”
Soso had to be intubated again. Her heart difficulties have not been 100% resolved as yet. She developed a problem with her lungs. Doctors are waiting to see if it is possible to extubate today. She will have a new surgery or possibly a catheterization to close a hole that couldn’t be closed during her previous surgery.
Please continue praying for Soso and her grandmother.
My day started at Hadassah hospital looking for little Soso. The searching was interesting. I went to the place the nurse told me to go to, or the place I understood that she told me to go to! I couldn’t find Soso in that place. I also searched a place that I went to before with previous families, but I didn’t find her their either. I also went to places I never went to before, such as the 12th floor, and wow – there is an amazing view up there!
I enjoyed this small detour because I beheld a wonderful view up there. Though I wanted to, I couldn’t stay longer because I had to find Soso.
I decided to go back to the first place I went to at the beginning, and then located what I believed to be the correct spot. I thought about how I never quit continuing my search which became my lesson for today – the journey can bring us to some beautiful places!
I came into a waiting room full of people with masks, thanks Corona virus. How could I recognize the mom? Easy, right? For me, everyone looked the same with their masks on. I decided that the simplest solution was to say in a loud voice: “Um (mother of) Soso,” and there she was. However, she is the granny, and not the mother of Soso. Nevertheless, I found her. Now she would not be alone.
We waited together for the surgery to finish. The doctor came out and said, everything will be ok. I sensed that Soso’s grandmother was stressed a bit. For Latinos, food is a good de-stressor so I asked her if she wanted to eat something. She accepted the invitation as she had not eaten anything since the day before. We get our first smile from Soso’s grandmother.
Soso is now in the ICU. The doctor said it was a good surgery, but we will have to wait a little bit to see the results. Thank you all for your prayers.
Soso of Gaza has returned to Hadassah Hospital for her second surgery.
My first impression of Soso’s mom was that she was so young, but if I understood correctly, she is not the mom but the grandmother of Soso. What a surprise!
The surgery will be after tomorrow. I know the waiting time is not easy, but sometimes it is a necessary part of the process.
As I learned and demonstrated how to have fun in the waiting room, I hope this granny can also. She looks calm but may have some inward apprehension.
Praise the Lord, Soso looks well and happy. Today she was in a good mood and looking fancy, wearing sequin shorts with nice socks.
Knowing that God is in control, we enjoyed our time waiting for Soso’s admission. More news will come in two days. In the meantime, please pray for her and her grandmother.
Early this morning Yousef and I headed to the Erez Gaza border crossing. We picked up three beautiful families that were already waiting for us. Soso, Lia and Adam came with their mothers to Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem for their post-operation check-ups.
Little Soso is now two months old. The good news is that she really gained weight. Also her saturation was measured at 98%.
The echo showed that her treatment for VSD had worked out really well. Soso gave many smiles to the medical staff and volunteers and slept beautifully on our laps.
Praise God, Soso returned home to Gaza today, sleepy all the way but with a bright future ahead. Thank God for the doctors at Hadassah who treated her with the love and respect that every child deserves.
Praise GOD, Soso had a very good day! First she got a shower that she honestly didn’t like at all but it is the very best for her. Then two clowns came to visit her, joked around and played the harmonika for the cute child and her lovely grandmother.
And since she is doing very well after her surgery she even was allowed to move to another department in the hospital! The nurse there told me, our little Soso might be able to return to Gaza at the end of the week. You can pray for Soso that her good development continues.
A special moment for me was when the grandmother put the child in my arms. I suddenly remembered the song from our worship time in the morning and I sang it for her. The Arabic song is called “Oheboka Rabbi Yassou” which means “I love you my Lord Jesus.” This reminded me that the doctors might be able to help the medical situation of the heart. But only GOD can help the most important issue about the heart: the spiritual situation. So please also pray that she and her grandmother can feel the warm love of our Lord Jesus.
When I entered the ICU there was a lot of crying coming from a little baby. I noticed that it was our little Soso.
The nurses said she was hungry but was not yet allowed to drink more milk. Poor little one. I spent some time with her. I tried to give her the pacifier and I sang to her which have her some peace. She is a beautiful baby girl.
About one hour later her accompanying Grandmother was able to give her more milk which she took very well indeed. The Grandmother is a lovely woman and looks well after Soso.
When I asked the nurse what the next step will be for Soso, he said we have to wait for the big boss who is on vacation and will be back coming Thursday. All of Israel is in the biblical festival season and begins tonight its Feast of Tabernacles. Therefore it’s also the time for the medical staff to take their vacation. May they have a good rest, they deserve it! We’re so thankful for how hard they all work for these precious kids, for little ones like Soso.
When we entered Hadassah Hospital today we were surprised to find Soso’s room empty. We learned that she had been taken on short notice for her urgent surgery. Two days before she had been in a stable condition, but then the pressure on her lungs became too high so they had to operate to reduce the blood flow on her lungs. Also her aorta was widened at one point.
Her grandma was tense. She looked up every time the department door opened. The surgery was completed successfully after about four hours. She was really delighted that it all went well.
Almuth and I spent some time with her and Grandma Lia. We met a music therapist who is singing for the children and joined her in singing for Soso. In the end we thanked God for the successful surgery. She is now recovering from this operation.
She still has a long way to go because of her multiple heart problems, but we put her into the loving arms of our heavenly father.
Soso is a one week old baby from Gaza who arrived last night in Jerusalem with her grandmother to Hadassah Hospital, on the eve of the Yom Kippur holiday. Johanna and I met both of them this morning. Soso was asleep when we arrived. We prayed for wisdom and a healthy heart over this beautiful girl. Later the doctor came into the room. He wanted to place another central line in her.
Soso is stable. She is not intubated. She came with the diagnose of coarctation of the aorta but after her echo the doctor found many more heart problems. She also has DORV, ASD and VSD. The doctors are now considering what needs to be done first. She will need more than one operation.
The family is very sad. They were not aware of her bad condition. They thought they got a healthy child but after two/three days she was not eating and feeling well. We spent some time with grandmother. It was lovely to see that Lia’s grandmother and Soso’s grandmother are getting on well together. They enjoy each others companionship.
Please pray for this little girl and for the doctors!
Soso’s parents in the southern Gaza Strip noticed that the newborn girl wasn’t feeding well. When they went to the doctor, he recommended an echocardiogram which revealed congenital heart defects, including a severe narrowing of the aorta through which life-giving blood must pass. Soso was immediately hospitalized in the ICU and her doctor asked for a top-urgent referral to Israel, the only hospital within reach to save her.
On the eve of Yom Kippur doctors in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem have agreed to accept Soso and fight for her life over the holiday.
Today, coworker Jonathan brought Soso and her grandfather to the Temple Mount and gave them a chance to spend some time there as they had been wanting to do for a few days now.
After this outing, Soso and her grandfather were brought to Hadassah Hospital where we rendevouzed and put them in our vehicle to take them back to the border with Gaza.
Soso had a surgery on 10 september at Hadassah Hospital to make her aorta bigger. The surgery was very succesful and so was the recovery. After she was released from hospital, Soso and her grandfather spent a few days at the Jerusalem community house before returning to the Gaza.
